1. Â鶹AV signed and returned to the Department on 4/2/2021 the Certification and Agreement. Â鶹AV intends to use, no less than 100 percent of the funds received under Section 314(c)(3) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to provide HEERF II grants directly to students.
2. The total amount of funds that Â鶹AV will receive from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $285,105.
3. As of 6/30/2021 Â鶹AV has released $111,000 of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314(c)(3) of the CCRSAA.
4. The CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. To prioritize grants to students with exceptional need, Â鶹AV has defined maximum award limits for students based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA, which is a standardized data element used to confirm financial need. Those students who had a zero EFC and received max Pell grant received $1,000 HEERF II grant.  Those who received any denomination of Pell other than max received $750 HEERF II grant.  Lastly, those that did not receive Pell or their program is not eligible for Pell grant received $500 HEERF II grant.

Â鶹AV estimates 190 students at our institution may be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus may eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314(c)(3) of the CRRSAA.

5. As of 6/30/2021, there are 139 students at Â鶹AV that has received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 314(c)(3) of the CRRSSAA.
6. Â鶹AV has set 3 requirements for students to be eligible for the Emergency Financial Aid Grant. The first requirement is that students must activity participating in a program with Â鶹AV when they apply and approved for the grant.  The second requirement is that students must complete Â鶹AV’s HEERF II application and present financial need as defined in the Higher Education Act.  The third and final requirement is that they must have a completed FAFSA on file and must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid social security number.  If students meet all requirements listed above, students will receive either $500, $750, or $1,000 in the HEERF II grant as defined above in section 4.
7. On 5/1/2021, Â鶹AV sent emails to all active students in regards to the CRRSAA and directions on how to apply for the HEERF II grant. In addition, you can find on Â鶹AV’s website the HEERF II policy and application form.  All students are encouraged to go to Â鶹AV’s website to learn about the HEERF II grant and apply.  Below are emails of communication sent to students;

For many years, CDL drivers have been required to pass a regular health examination from a medical professional. Commercial drivers are also required to carry proof that they passed their exam (usually a certificate) whenever they operate a commercial vehicle. The medical exam requirement itself isn’t changing. But, the way that a driver obtains that certification is being tweaked.

The previous rules and regulations

Previously, drivers were allowed to use any doctor they wanted to perform their exam. It didn’t matter what kind of doctor signed off on the exam, and it wasn’t a matter of concern for the FMCSA. Their only concern was that a driver could provide proof that they passed the DOT (Department of Transportation) physical exam. This meant that a doctor, a dentist, or even a podiatrist could issue the exam.  

There were also no limitations on how frequently an exam could be administered. That meant that if a driver failed an exam, they could just go to a different doctor the next day for a passing grade. Some doctors even allowed drivers to retake the exam multiple times before giving the final grade. So, drivers with borderline medical conditions like high blood-pressure could fail and then pass on the same day or very soon after.

New rules and regulations

With the new rules, the process of giving and receiving a physical exam has gotten more difficult. The FMCSA is taking more control over who can perform the exam. They’ve created the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. This is a list of licensed doctors who have been certified to administer the test. Drivers who need to find a licensed doctor can find a complete list here:

Since doctors need to be registered, drivers also have to register their certificates with the state that issued their license. Failure to register could result in suspension or revocation of the license. Drivers must also report to the state whether they’re operating in interstate or intrastate commerce. They also have to indicate if they’re an exception to the exam. Exceptions usually include individuals who drive fire trucks, school busses, etc.  

If a driver fails the physical exam the FMCSA requires that the problem be corrected before they can drive again. The driver may have to report to their personal physician for help correcting the issue.