��������

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

On December 27, 2020 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed into law. This Act included additional COVID-19 relief through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. This new COVID stimulus bill included funds for higher education institutions and their students known as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have the greatest financial need can be considered for these funds. The Office of Financial Aid will use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine your eligibility. If you are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not yet filed for 2020-21 and need assistance, please submit a FAFSA at . Under the U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, these funds can be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pursuing degree programs and enrolled at the ��������.

The U.S. Department of Education encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students, especially undergraduates, in allocating this funding.  Domestic students include citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and similar students.

Funds will be based on the student’s application and the availability of funds.

Eligible expenses for funding include, but are not necessarily limited to tuition, food, housing, health care, and child care. Expenses must be incurred by you, the student, as a result of the emergency disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Funds will be sent through direct deposit or a check to the student’s mailing address. It is recommended that students set-up direct deposit to receive funds sooner.

Direct Deposit Set-up: Please enter your direct deposit banking information by logging into Banner Web using your �������� Student Services login, select the “Finance Menu”, then select the “Account withdrawals Menu”, and finally select the “Set Up Direct Deposit for Future Withdrawals” menu. You will need to provide your bank routing number, bank account number and the type of account you have.

HEERF funding is not required to be coordinated with a student’s financial aid package. Howver, awards made from donated funds to �������� must be coordinated with other financial aid. 

We understand that you may still be facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19. Unfortunately, we are unable to award funds for every situation, even if the need exists. The CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief funding is not meant to duplicate other benefits that exist through federal/state agencies.  Funding has been appropriated at the national level to assist individuals facing unemployment. If you or a family member has experienced the loss of employment, we encourage you to contact your state's Unemployment Insurance office. Additionally, other benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) may be available.

Unfortunately, due to limited funding and other quantifiers, we are unable to award funding to all students even if they have a significant financial hardship. Some reasons for being denied may include not applying for financial aid (completing a FAFSA), having access to funds already (credit balance on account), or denying loans that had been offered. As we must determine eligibility and greatest need, some of the factors will include debt already incurred (compared to their cohort) and the ability to access funds or having other financial options.

No. Emergency funding is designed to be a grant/scholarship, not a loan.

Funding from CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief funds are non-taxable.  However, awards to international students may be subject to tax withholdings.