Department of Education Update on CARES Act

Posted Date: July 7, 2022
Author: The College of Saint Rose

In accordance with reporting requirements in the supplemental grant funds for Students, recipient must promptly and timely report to the Department in a manner to be specified by the Secretary pursuant to section 314(e) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriates Act of 2021 (CRRSAA). Recipient must also promptly and timely provide a detailed accounting for the use of funds provided by the supplemental award in such a manner and with such subsequent frequency as the Secretary may require.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2022.

Posted Date: April 8, 2022
Author: The College of Saint Rose

The information that institutions need to post on their website includes:

An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and American Rescue Plan (ARP) (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.College Response:
The College acknowledges that it received the Supplemental Grant Funds for Students Agreements and the Supplemental Grant Funds for Institutions Agreements. The College was notified January 17, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from CRRSA in the amount of $1,737,582. In addition, the College was notified May 13, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from ARP in the amount of $4,663,135.
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.College Response:
The College has received approval for $6,400,717. As of March 31, 2022 the College has received funds in the amount of $4,171,141.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).College Response:
As of March 31, 2022, the College has issued checks or payments to student accounts in the amount of $4,564,714.
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.College Response:
As of the Spring 2021 application cutoff date, there were a total of 3,253 students eligible to apply for the funds.

As of the Fall 2021 application cutoff date, there were a total of 2,488 students eligible to apply for the funds.

As of the Spring 2022 application cutoff date, there were a total of 2,971 students eligible to apply for the funds.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.College Response:
As of March 31, 2022, the College has issued checks or payments to student accounts to 2,160 students.

Note: In the January 10, 2022 update, the College noted that as of December 31, 2021, the College had issued checks or payments to student accounts to 2,732 students. The total reported was in error as it included the unduplicated students that received disbursements of CARES funds.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.College Response:
In March 2021 The College asked students to complete an online application for CRRSAA funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded additional aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in March 2021.

In October 2021 the College asked students to complete an online application for ARP funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded additional aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in October 2021.

In December 2021 and the first quarter of 2022 the College awarded payments to student accounts to assist eligible students who had exceptional need for funding.

In March 2022 the College asked students to complete an application round for ARP funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded additional aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in March and April 2022.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2022.

Posted Date: January 10, 2022
Author: The College of Saint Rose

The information that institutions need to post on their website includes:

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and American Rescue Plan (ARP) (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

College Response:
The College acknowledges that it received the Supplemental Grant Funds for Students Agreements and the Supplemental Grant Funds for Institutions Agreements. The College was notified January 17, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from CRRSA in the amount of $1,737,582. In addition, the College was notified May 13, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from ARP in the amount of $4,663,135.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $6,400,717. As of December 31, 2021 the College has received funds in the amount of $4,171,141.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

College Response:
As of December 31, 2021, the College has issued checks or payments to student accounts in the amount of $4,201,340.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
As of the Spring 2021 application cutoff date, there were a total of 3,253 students eligible to apply for the funds.

As of the Fall 2021 application cutoff date, there were a total of 2,488 students eligible to apply for the funds.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
As of December 31, 2021, the College has issued checks or payments to student accounts to 2,732 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
In March 2021 The College asked students to complete an online application for CRRSAA funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded additional aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in March 2021. In October 2021 the College asked students to complete an online application for ARP funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded additional aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in October 2021. In December 2021 the College awarded payments to student accounts to assist eligible students who had exceptional need for funding. There will be another application round in Spring 2022.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2021.

Posted Date: October 8, 2021
Author: The College of Saint Rose

The information that institutions need to post on their website includes:

College Response:
We acknowledge that we received the Supplemental Grant Funds for Students Agreements and the Supplemental Grant Funds for Institutions Agreements. The College was notified January 17, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from CRRSA in the amount of $1,737,582. In addition, the College was notified May 13, 2021 of a supplemental grant for students from ARP in the amount of $4,663,135.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $6,400,717. As of September 30, 2021 the College has received funds in the amount of $1,739,820.84.

College Response:
As of September 30, 2021, the College has issued checks or student account payments in the amount of $1,739,892.84

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
As of the application cutoff date, there were a total of 3,253 students eligible to apply for the funds.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
As of September 30, 2021, the College has issued checks or student account payments to 1,556 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

College Response:
In March 2021 The College asked students to complete an online application for CRRSAA funds. All eligible students received multiple emails encouraging them to apply for the funds. Each application was reviewed for eligibility and students with exceptional need were awarded more aid. Funds from this application round were distributed to students in March 2021. In October 2021 the asked students to complete an online application for ARP funds. The application was closed on October 4th and the College is in the process of reviewing applications. Applicants will be notified and funds will be disbursed later this month. Again the College is prioritizing students with exceptional need as required under HEERF regulations. There will be another application round in Spring 2022.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2021.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending June 30, 2021.

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2021.

Posted Date: January 22, 2021
Author: The College of Saint Rose

Click to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Public Posting for the quarter ending December 31, 2020.

Posted Date: November 3, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

Click here to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) quarterly budget and expenditure posting.

Colleges are required to report on their use of student funds received under the CARES Act. Institutions must post information about these funds onto their “primary” website within 30 days of receiving the grant allocation and every 45 days thereafter. The information that institutions need to post on their website includes:

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution 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 to students.

College Response:
The College has received two grants from the CARES Act which total $3,475,163. The College has executed the Certification and agreement that no less than 50 percent of the funds received will be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to Saint Rose students. For the balance of the funds the College will obtain the matching share at the same rate the students are receiving their funds.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582. As of October 31, 2020 the College has received funds in the amount of $1,737,582.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 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).

College Response:
As of October 31, 2020, the College has issued 3,306 checks in the amount of $1,737,582.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,683 students eligible to participate in the program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response: As of October 31, 2020, the College has issued checks in the amount of $1,737,582 to 1,714 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

The College has sent several emails to encourage eligible students to apply for the funds. A third round of email notification was sent July 28. The communication was sent to students who did not apply or respond previously, students who had applied for less than $500, students who had applied but had responded with only “lost job” as reason for applying or had an incomplete application and CITE students who were registered in Spring at the time of shutdown.

This round of emails generated requests in the amount of $341,695 for 311 students. The checks for these students were mailed on Friday, August 7, 2020.

The College sent several emails to encourage eligible students to apply for funds needed due to additional technology needs for the fall 2020 semester. These emails were sent to all students who were eligible based on the published criteria. This round generated requests for $300,305 for 847 students. The checks were issued on August 31.

The balance of the funds, $10,771 will be offered to eligible students that were mandated by NYS to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to moving onto campus for the fall 2020 semester. The College negotiated a lower daily rate with a local hotel that the students stayed in prior to the start of the semester at their expense.

The College issues checks to 15 students who were mandated to self-quarantine and had out of pocket expenses for hotels and meals, who applied late to the technology funds or who had additional expenses. The total amount issued was $10,771 on October 5, 2020.

For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:

1. Enrolled full- or part-time and working towards a degree or certificate program at The College of Saint Rose.

2. Enrolled in at least 1 credit for the Spring 2020 semester; classes must have been either all in-person or a mix of in-person and online prior to the College going remote. (Students enrolled in degree programs that are fully online are not eligible).

3. Currently receiving or eligible to receive Title IV funds through the Higher Education Act. That means a student must have filed or be eligible to file a FAFSA with The College of Saint Rose. If a FAFSA is not filed, students may be asked to complete one.

Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions on our restart site for additional information.

Posted Date: October 6, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

Click here to view the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) quarterly budget and expenditure posting.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582. As of September 30, 2020 the College has received funds in the amount of $1,726,811.

College Response:
As of September 30, 2020, the College has issued 3,291 checks in the amount of $1,726,811.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,683 students eligible to participate in the program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
As of September 30, 2020, the College has issued checks in the amount of $1,726,811 to 1,711 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

This round of emails generated requests in the amount of $341,695 for 311 students. The checks for these students were mailed on Friday, August 7, 2020.

For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:

1. Enrolled full- or part-time and working towards a degree or certificate program at The College of Saint Rose.

Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Posted Date: September 7, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

1.An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution 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 to students.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582. As of August 7, 2020 the College has received funds in the amount of $1,726,811.

College Response:
As of August 31, 2020, the College has issued 3,291 checks in the amount of $1,726,811.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,718 students eligible to participate in the program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response: As of August 31, 2020, the College has issued checks in the amount of $1,726,811 to 1,711 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:

The College has determined in order to allow the maximum participation of students, there would be an initial application that was deployed to all eligible students contained a cap of $500 to be awarded. Once applications were received and reviewed, additional funding will be provided to the students in need. Each application will be carefully reviewed for eligibility. For students requesting the cap or the maximum of $500, an additional $500 was sent the student. For students requesting funds in excess of $500, financial aid was reviewed and funds were disbursed to students. At no point is a student eligible to receive funds in excess of the government cap of $6,195.

This round of emails generated requests in the amount of $341,695 for 311 students. The checks for these students were mailed on Friday, August 7, 2020.

For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:

Enrolled full- or part-time and working towards a degree or certificate program at The College of Saint Rose.
Enrolled in at least 1 credit for the Spring 2020 semester; classes must have been either all in-person or a mix of in-person and online prior to the College going remote. (Students enrolled in degree programs that are fully online are not eligible).
Currently receiving or eligible to receive Title IV funds through the Higher Education Act. That means a student must have filed or be eligible to file a FAFSA with The College of Saint Rose. If a FAFSA is not filed, students may be asked to complete one.

Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Posted Date: August 7, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582. As of August 7, 2020, the College has received funds in the amount of $1,426,506.

College Response:
As of August 7, 2020, the College has issued 2,489 checks in the amount of $1,426,506.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,718 students eligible to participate in the program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
As of August 7, 2020, the College has issued checks in the amount of $1,426,506 to 1,615 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
The College has determined in order to allow the maximum participation of students, there would be an initial application that was deployed to all eligible students contained a cap of $500 to be awarded. Once applications were received and reviewed, additional funding will be provided to the students in need. Each application will be carefully reviewed for eligibility. For students requesting the cap or the maximum of $500, an additional $500 was sent the student. For students requesting funds in excess of $500, financial aid was reviewed and funds were disbursed to students. At no point is a student eligible to receive funds in excess of the government cap of $6,195.
The College has sent several emails to encourage eligible students to apply for the funds. A third round of email notification was sent July 28. The communication was sent to students who did not apply or respond previously, students who had applied for less than $500, students who had applied but had responded with only “lost job” as reason for applying or had an incomplete application and CITE students who were registered in Spring at the time of shutdown.

This round of emails generated requests in the amount of $341,695 for 311 students. The checks for these students were mailed on Friday, August 7, 2020.

There is a balance of funds left for students to request. As we move toward the start of the fall semester the College is receiving requests for technology equipment. Another round of emails will be sent out to determine the technology needs for our current returning students.
For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:
1. Enrolled full- or part-time and working towards a degree or certificate program at The College of Saint Rose.
2. Enrolled in at least 1 credit for the Spring 2020 semester; classes must have been either all in-person or a mix of in-person and online prior to the College going remote. (Students enrolled in degree programs that are fully online are not eligible).
3. Currently receiving or eligible to receive Title IV funds through the Higher Education Act. That means a student must have filed or be eligible to file a FAFSA with The College of Saint Rose. If a FAFSA is not filed, students may be asked to complete one.
Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Posted Date: June 24, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

College Response:
The College has received two grants from the CARES Act, which total $3,475,163.The College has executed the Certification and agreement that no less than 50 percent of the funds received will be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to Saint Rose students. For the balance of the funds, the College will obtain the matching share at the same rate the students are receiving their funds.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582.

College Response:
As of June 26, 2020, the College has issued 1,448 checks in the amount of $700,931.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,718 students eligible to participate in the program.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
As of June 26, 2020, the College has issued checks in the amount of $700,931 to 1,409 students.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
The College has determined in order to allow the maximum participation of students, there would be an initial application to be deployed to all eligible students that will contain a cap of $500 to be awarded. Once applications have been received and reviewed, additional funding will be provided to the students in need. Each application will be carefully reviewed for eligibility.

For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:

1. Enrolled full- or part-time and working towards a degree or certificate program at The College of Saint Rose.
2. Enrolled in at least 1 credit for the Spring 2020 semester; classes must have been either all in-person or a mix of in-person and online prior to the College going remote (degree programs that are fully online and students in our CITE program are not eligible).
3. Currently receiving or eligible to receive Title IV funds through the Higher Education Act. That means a student must have filed or be eligible to file a FAFSA with The College of Saint Rose. If a FAFSA is not filed, students may be asked to complete one. Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Posted Date: May 29, 2020
Author: The College of Saint Rose

1. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student.

College Response:
The College has received approval for $1,737,582.00

2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 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).

College Response:
As of May 28, 2020, no funds have been distributed to students. Applications are currently under review, and the expected first disbursement of the funds is the week of June 1, 2020.

3. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
There are a total of 2,718 students eligible to participate in the program.

4. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:
As of May 28, 2020, no funds have been distributed to students. The College received 1,469 applications which are currently under review and the expected first disbursement of the funds is the week of June 1, 2020.

5. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

College Response:

The College has determined in order to allow the maximum participation of students, there would be an initial application to be deployed to all eligible students that will contain a cap of $500 to be awarded. Once applications have been received and reviewed, additional funding will be provided to the students in need. Each application will be carefully reviewed for eligibility.

For a student to be eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants they must have these qualifications:

Undocumented students and international students are not eligible for the CARES Act funds.

6. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

College Response:
Please visit our frequently asked questions for additional information.

Previous postings:

Posted Date: May 06, 2020
Author: Office of Postsecondary Education
Subject: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting- Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). On April 9, 2020, the Department published documents related to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including a letter from Secretary Betsy DeVos, a form Certification and Agreement for signing and returning by institutions to access the funds, and a list of institutional allocations under 18004(a)(1).

The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department. The Department will provide instructions for providing the required information to the Secretary in the near future. In the meantime, each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. The Department would like to receive the most current information from the date when the institution received its allocation for emergency financial aid grants to students, and the institution should have received its allocation within a few days after submitting the Certification and Agreement. Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter:

An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution 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 to students.
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 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).
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

*Note: In preparing the 30-day Fund Report, institutions should use data suppression and other methodologies to comply with, and protect the personally identifiable information from student education records, under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99). For example, the Department does not expect institutions to report information about a group of 10 or fewer students. For example, if the total number of eligible students, the total of number of students who received Emergency Financial Aid Grants, or the difference between the two numbers is less than 10, then the institution should not display the number of students or the amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students on publicly available website(s) controlled by the institution.

Institutions that accurately report the information listed above will meet the initial reporting requirements. For subsequent reports and reporting for other related HEERF programs, the Department will notify participating institutions of the Department’s preferred reporting method. The Department may choose to collect additional information from institutions in accordance with the reporting requirement stated at Section 18(e) of the CARES Act and the Certification and Agreement.

For more information on the HEER, please visit the Department’s CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund page.

Contact Information

If you have questions about the information in this announcement, contact HEERF@ed.gov