Public Information Required by the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, and ARP Act

This page includes public information NECO is required to post by the CARES Act (HEERF I), the CRRSA Act (HEERF II), and the ARP Act (HEERF III), regarding funding received, and use of that funding, for emergency financial aid grants to students and institutional use.

Public Information Required by the CARES Act (HEERF I)

The New England College of Optometry (NECO), like all colleges and universities, is required, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, to publish specific data about the emergency funding for students.

Updates to this public information may be posted below the original posting.

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $81,618.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter): $80,188.77. The total allocation ($81,618) from the Department of Education to NECO has been awarded and all eligible students have been notified via e-mail of their award. The College distributed funds (and will distribute the remaining funds) via electronic transfers to students’ bank accounts or by checks payable directly to the students and mailed to their current mailing address.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and as a result, potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: 329.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter): 172
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act:
- a) The College directly contacted all eligible students on 04/29/2020 at their NECO email address indicating the availability of the funding and providing a Request for Funding Form. Students were given a 7 day priority deadline to apply, ending at 11:59 pm on 05/06/2020.
- b) Each Form collected the type and amount of expenses incurred (e.g., food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The information from all Forms submitted by students was recorded in an Excel workbook to review for consideration by a committee consisting of the College’s CFO, Dean of Academic Resources and Administration, Director of Financial Aid, and Executive Director of Financial Operations.
- c) Awards have been funded with consideration given to the total amount available, the number of requests submitted by students, and the amount of expenses incurred by each student, with a maximum award of $500.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: Eligible students were sent notices, instructions and a Request for Funding Form notifying them of the award at their NECO email address. The Form requested their current mailing address and explained that if the student is selected as a recipient of the emergency funds a check will be issued to that address (if electronic transfer is not practical).

Update below accurate as of July 20, 2020
Update below accurate as of August 31, 2020
Update below accurate as of September 30, 2020. Note that this quarterly posting is the final report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds.

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $81,618.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter): $81,618. The total allocation ($81,618) from the Department of Education to NECO has been awarded and all eligible students have been notified via e-mail of their award. The College distributed funds via electronic transfers to students’ bank accounts or by checks payable directly to the students and mailed to their current mailing address. The total allocation ($81,618) was distributed to students between 05/21/2020 and 06/12/2020.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and as a result, potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: 329.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter): 176
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act:
- 1) The College directly contacted all eligible students on 04/29/2020 at their NECO email address indicating the availability of the funding and providing a Request for Funding Form. Students were given a 7 day priority deadline to apply, ending at 11:59 pm on 05/06/2020.
- 2) Each Form collected the type and amount of expenses incurred (e.g., food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). The information from all Forms submitted by students was recorded in an Excel workbook to review for consideration by a committee consisting of the College’s CFO, Dean of Academic Resources and Administration, Director of Financial Aid, and Executive Director of Financial Operations.
- 3) Awards have been funded with consideration given to the total amount available, the number of requests submitted by students, and the amount of expenses incurred by each student, with a maximum award of $500.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: Eligible students were sent notices, instructions and a Request for Funding Form notifying them of the award at their NECO email address. The Form requested their current mailing address and explained that if the student is selected as a recipient of the emergency funds a check will be issued to that address (if electronic transfer is not practical).

Institutional Portion and FIPSE Award Under the CARES Act (HEERF I)

On May 7, 2020, the College was awarded $81,618 from the Department of Education for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Formula Grants authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

On August 31, 2020, the College was awarded $336,764 from the Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) authorized by Section 18004(a)(3) of the CARES Act.

Use the links below to see the required public quarterly reporting forms for (a)(1) Institutional and (a)(3) FIPSE Funds

Quarter ended September 30, 2020 – original

Quarter ended September 30, 2020 – amended

Quarter ended December 31, 2020 – original

Public Information Required by the CRRSA Act (HEERF II)

Reporting for the quarter ended 03/31/2021

The New England College of Optometry (NECO), like all colleges and universities, is required, as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, to publish specific data about emergency funding for students.

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than $81,618 of the funds received under CRRSA (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students (equal to the amount NECO was required to provide to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act).
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $81,618.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under CRRSA (a)(1) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): $0. The College anticipates the total allocation ($81,618) from the Department of Education to NECO will be awarded no later than 06/30/2021.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and as a result, potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under CRRSA (a)(1): 329.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): 0
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSA (a)(1):
- a) The College directly contacted all eligible students on 04/02/2021 at their NECO email address indicating the availability of the funding and providing a Request for Funding Form. Students were given a 10-day deadline to apply, ending at 11:59 pm on 04/12/2021.
- b) Each Form collected the amount and nature of the student’s request (either for cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus) and how their need for funding related to the coronavirus pandemic. The information from all Forms submitted by students was recorded in an Excel workbook to review for consideration by a committee consisting of the College’s Director of Financial Aid and Executive Director of Financial Operations.
- c) If the Form submitted by a student was incomplete an email was sent to the student’s NECO email address to request additional information. Any additional information received from the student was added to the Excel workbook.
- d) Awards will be funded with consideration given to the total amount available, the number of requests submitted by students, and the amount of expenses incurred by each student.
- e) Further, in accordance with the requirements of CRRSA, awards will be funded with priority given to students with exceptional financial need. As NECO is an institution with no undergraduate students (and therefore has no Pell-eligible students) financial need will be determined based on each student’s average annual borrowing during the period of their enrollment. Students with higher average annual borrowing will be eligible for higher maximum awards.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: Eligible students were sent notices, instructions and a Request for Funding Form notifying them of the award at their NECO email address. The Form requested their current mailing address and explained that if the student is selected as a recipient of the emergency funds a check will be issued to that address (if electronic transfer is not practical) unless the student elects to have their award applied to their unpaid tuition and fees.

Reporting for the quarter ended 06/30/2021

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than $81,618 of the funds received under CRRSA (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students (equal to the amount NECO was required to provide to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act).
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $81,618.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under CRRSA (a)(1) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): $81,618. The total allocation ($81,618) from the Department of Education to NECO has been awarded and all eligible students have been notified via e-mail of their award. The College distributed funds via electronic transfers to students’ bank accounts, by checks payable directly to the students and mailed to their current mailing address, or (at the election of the student) applied to their unpaid tuition and fees. The total allocation ($81,618) was distributed to students and/or applied to their unpaid tuition and fees on 05/07/2021.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and as a result, potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under CRRSA (a)(1): 329.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): 115
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSA (a)(1):
- a) The College directly contacted all eligible students on 04/02/2021 at their NECO email address indicating the availability of the funding and providing a Request for Funding Form. Students were given a 10-day deadline to apply, ending at 11:59 pm on 04/12/2021.
- b) Each Form collected the amount and nature of the student’s request (either for cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus) and how their need for funding related to the coronavirus pandemic. The information from all Forms submitted by students was recorded in an Excel workbook to review for consideration by a committee consisting of the College’s Director of Financial Aid and Executive Director of Financial Operations.
- c) If the Form submitted by a student was incomplete an email was sent to the student’s NECO email address to request additional information. Any additional information received from the student was added to the Excel workbook.
- d) Awards were funded with consideration given to the total amount available, the number of requests submitted by students, and the amount of expenses incurred by each student.
- e) Further, in accordance with the requirements of CRRSA, awards were funded with priority given to students with exceptional financial need. As NECO is an institution with no undergraduate students (and therefore has no Pell-eligible students) financial need was determined based on each student’s average annual borrowing during the period of their enrollment. Students with higher average annual borrowing were eligible for higher maximum awards.
- f) Awards to individual students were between $100 and $910. The maximum award amount was $910.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: Eligible students were sent notices, instructions and a Request for Funding Form notifying them of the award at their NECO email address. The Form requested their current mailing address and explained that if the student is selected as a recipient of the emergency funds a check will be issued to that address (if electronic transfer is not practical) unless the student elects to have their award applied to their unpaid tuition and fees.

Institutional Portion CRRSA Act (HEERF II)

On February 4, 2021, the College was awarded $122,605 from the Department of Education for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Formula Grants authorized by the CRRSA Act.

Use the links below to see the required public quarterly reporting forms for (a)(1) Institutional Funds

Quarter ended March 31, 2021

Quarter ended June 30, 2021

For amended reporting for Quarter ended June 30, 2021, see Combined HEERF Reporting for Institutional Funds below.

Public Information Required by the ARP Act (HEERF III)

Reporting for the quarter ended 06/30/2021

The New England College of Optometry (NECO), like all colleges and universities, is required, as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, to publish specific data about emergency funding for students.

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than $189,120 of the funds received under ARP (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students (equal to 50% of the total amount NECO received under ARP (a)(1).
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $189,120.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under ARP (a)(1) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): $0. The College anticipates the total allocation ($189,120) from the Department of Education to NECO will be awarded no later than 12/31/2021.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible or potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1): N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): 0
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARP (a)(1): N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.

Reporting for the quarter ended 09/30/2021

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than $189,120 of the funds received under ARP (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students (equal to 50% of the total amount NECO received under ARP (a)(1).
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $189,120.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under ARP (a)(1) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): $0. The College anticipates the total allocation ($189,120) from the Department of Education to NECO will be awarded no later than 12/31/2021.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible or potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1): N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): 0
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARP (a)(1): N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: N/A – this will be determined later at the time funds are distributed to students.

Reporting for the quarter ended 12/31/2021

NECO signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement. The Agreement assures that the College has used, or intends to use, no less than $189,120 of the funds received under ARP (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students (equal to 50% of the total amount NECO received under ARP (a)(1).
The total amount of funds that NECO will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $189,120.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to NECO students under ARP (a)(1) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): $189,120.
The estimated total number of NECO students eligible or potentially eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1): 524.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial submission and every calendar quarter thereafter): 89.
The method used by NECO to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARP (a)(1):
- a) The College directly contacted all eligible students on 11/29/2021 at their NECO email address indicating the availability of the funding and providing a Request for Funding Form. Students were given a 7-day deadline to apply, ending at 8:00 am on 12/06/2021.
- b) Each Form collected the amount and nature of the student’s request (either for cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus) and how their need for funding related to the coronavirus pandemic. The information from all Forms submitted by students was recorded in an Excel workbook to review for consideration by a committee consisting of the College’s Director of Financial Aid and Executive Director of Financial Operations.
- c) If the Form submitted by a student was incomplete an email was sent to the student’s NECO email address to request additional information. Any additional information received from the student was added to the Excel workbook.
- d) Awards were funded with consideration given to the total amount available, the number of requests submitted by students, and the amount of expenses incurred by each student.
- e) Further, in accordance with the requirements of the ARP Act, awards were funded with priority given to students with exceptional financial need. As NECO is an institution with no undergraduate students (and therefore has no Pell-eligible students) financial need was determined based on each student’s average annual borrowing during the period of their enrollment. Students with higher average annual borrowing were eligible for higher maximum awards.
- f) Awards to individual students were between $600 and $2,320. The maximum award amount was $2,320.
Instructions, directions, or guidance NECO provided to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: Eligible students were sent notices, instructions and a Request for Funding Form notifying them of the award at their NECO email address. The Form requested their current mailing address and explained that if the student is selected as a recipient of the emergency funds a check will be issued to that address (if electronic transfer is not practical) unless the student elects to have their award applied to their unpaid tuition and fees.

Institutional Portion ARP Act (HEERF III)

On May 20, 2021, the College was awarded $189,119 from the Department of Education for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Formula Grants authorized by the ARP Act.

Use the links below to see the required public quarterly reporting forms for (a)(1) Institutional Funds

Quarter ended June 30, 2021

For amended reporting for Quarter ended June 30, 2021, see Combined HEERF Reporting for Institutional Funds below.