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HEERF III Reporting

Cedarville University HEERF III Reporting
The American Rescue Plan

Cedarville University HEERF III Reporting The American Rescue Plan The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 HEERF III (ARP)(Pub. L. 117-2), directs institutions receiving funds 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”). The HEERF III Act requires that 50 % of the funds received be spent on student grants, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The ARP requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.

1) Cedarville University was not required to apply for HEERF III funds since it received CARES Act funding (under Section 18004(e)).

2) Awarding progression:

A. Cedarville University evaluated 4,624 students enrolled Fall 2021 on October 13, 2021 to determine which students would receive a Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III award (HEERF III). Cedarville’s financial aid staff identified 3,331 eligible students for HEERF III awards.

  • Once awarding eligibility and amounts were determined, the official HEERF III awarding worksheet was delivered to the Cashiers Office for processing.

B. As of October 19th, Cedarville University has distributed the Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III Grant as follows:

  1. Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III
    • Undergraduate Students: $2,837,300 awarded to 3,011 students with grants ranging from $100 - $1,400.
    • Graduate Students: $165,075 awarded to 320 students with grants ranging from $100 - $700.
    • TOTAL HEERF III Awarded to Date: $3,002,375 awarded to 3,331 students with grants ranging from $100 - $1,400.
  2. Supplemental Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III
    • As of October 19th, no Supplemental Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III grants have been awarded.
    • $248,986 is the current funding level for the Supplemental Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III grants.
    • As of December 31st, 161 students were awarded an additional $227,162 in additional HEERF funds.

3) Awarding Criteria: Cedarville University carefully reviewed all enrolled students for Fall 2021 on October 13th. This review ensured that HEERF III grant recipients were students who met the eligibility requirements as set forth by the ARP and the US Department of Education.

A. Students awarded a HEERF III grant in the first round of awarding were evaluated as follows:

  1. Students identified as US citizens or eligible non-citizens based upon successful completion (calculated EFC) of the 2021-22 year FAFSA;
  2. Students identified as International students; or
  3. Students identified with DACA status.

B. Students deemed eligible by the above criteria were further evaluated by:

  1. Enrollment Status: Full-time or Part-Time
    • Undergraduate Students:
      • Full-time: 12 hours or more
      • Part-time: Less than 12 hours
    • Graduate Students in one of the residential programs:
      • Full-time: 6 hours or more
      • Part-time: Less than 6 hours
    • Graduate Students in one of the online programs:
      • Full-time: 6 hours or more
      • Part-time: Less than 6 hours

C. The final step was to assign award amounts based upon each student’s ‘type’ which was the combination of all of the above eligibility factors. FAFSA EFC (award amounts varied based upon EFC calculation)

  1. For US citizens and eligible non-citizens with a FAFSA EFC, their HEERF III amount was evaluated as part of ‘need’ using the EFC.
  2. For International and DACA students, their award amount was determined based upon their program type and enrollment level.

4) Subsequent awarding of the Supplemental Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III Grant was made to students who:

  • Met all of the criteria listed above; and either
    • Contacted the financial aid office and were reviewed/awarded on a case-by-case basis; or
    • Their FAFSA was received after the initial awarding of the Higher ED Emergency Relief Funds III Grants on October 13, 2021.

5) The Cashiers Office sent an email to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined. If a student did not provide affirmative consent to use the funds towards their student account, the cashier’s office issued payment directly to the student. Additionally, instructions were provided on how the funds would be made payable to the student’s account.