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HEERF Emergency Grants

HEERF III Emergency Grant – American Rescue Plan

About the American Rescue Plan

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Through this fund, Benedictine University has $4,656,376 to use for emergency financial aid grants to students who are struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Who is eligible for ARP funding?

To be considered for a HEERF III Emergency Grant, the student must meet two criteria. First, all eligible students must be enrolled during the fall 2021 term. Second, all eligible students must demonstrate financial need as measured by the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). In the event that a student’s FAFSA arrives with any comment codes (C-Codes) or is selected for institutional verification, the codes and verification must be cleared to make the EFC official.

Unlike the CARES Act and early implementation of the CRRSAA Act, the U.S. Department of Education allows international, undocumented and DACA students to use the emergency grant funds under the ARP program. If you are a student from one of these groups and you are able to file a FAFSA, a FAFSA will be required to determine your Emergency Grant eligibility. If you are a student from one of these groups and you are unable to file a FAFSA, a HEERF III Emergency Grant Application will be required to determine your need.

HEERF III Emergency Grant Applications will be made available by mid-November 2021.

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How are Emergency Grant amounts determined?

Benedictine University uses a hybrid approach when allocating to its students HEERF III Emergency Grants under the American Rescue Plan. With this approach, Benedictine University will provide all students who have filed a FAFSA by October 5, 2021 and who have passed the EFC threshold implemented by the institution, with an Emergency Grant. Students who have not filed a FAFSA by October 5, 2021 but who are eligible to file a FAFSA may receive an emergency financial aid grant after their FAFSA is processed and they pass the criteria outlined above. Emergency grants offered to applicants who file a FAFSA after October 5, 2021 will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis as determined by a student’s 21-22 FAFSA received date. HEERF III Emergency Grant amounts offered under the ARP program are determined by a student’s citizenship status, EFC, and program with an emphasis on higher awards being allocated to domestic undergraduate students who have a low EFC.

Benedictine University has also set aside ARP Emergency Grant funds for eligible students who continue to experience financial hardship after receiving their HEERF III Emergency Grant. Students can request additional emergency funds through an appeal application process.

All appeals applicants are advised to review and fully complete the appeals application. Students approved for additional funds via the appeals process will be notified of their eligibility via their Benedictine University email account. Awards are dependent on a student’s eligibility, financial need, the overall applicant pool, and available funds.

HEERF III appeals will begin to be reviewed in December 2021.

 

ARP Emergency Grant Quarterly Report

ARP Student

As of March 31, 2022, $4,646,750 in ARP Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,761 students within the total potential pool of 3,174 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

As of December 31, 2021, $2,352,750 in ARP Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,585 students within the total potential pool of 3,174 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

For more information on Benedictine’s plans with the American Rescue Plan, please contact us at [email protected] or (630) 829-6100. Our office is located on the main floor of Lownik Hall.

HEERF III, II and I Emergency Grant Frequently Asked Questions

HEERF II Emergency Grant – CRRSAA

About the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was passed by Congress and signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020 to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CRRSAA established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). Through this fund, Benedictine University has $1,648,946 to use for emergency financial aid grants to students who are struggling financially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon review of the student demographic that makes up the entire Benedictine University population, it is estimated that the potential pool of students who may be CRRSAA eligible is 2,952.

Who is eligible for CRRSAA funding?

To be considered for a HEERF II Emergency Grant, a student must meet three criteria.

  1. Eligible students must be enrolled during the spring 2021 term.
  2. Eligible students must be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  3. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need as measured by the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). In the event that a student’s FAFSA arrives with any comment codes (C-Codes) or is selected for verification, the codes and verification must be cleared in order to make the EFC official.

On May 11, 2021, the Department of Education (ED) released an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Notably, the FAQs reverse a narrow position that had been taken by ED under the former administration, and the policy now allows “Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students” as well as “international students” to receive HEERF grants. The policy guidance in the May 11, 2021 FAQs were followed up by a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2021.

How are Emergency Grant amounts determined?

Benedictine University uses a hybrid approach when allocating HEERF II Emergency Grants under CRRSAA to its students. With this approach, Benedictine University provides all students who have filed a FAFSA by March 26, 2021, and who have passed the citizenship requirement and EFC threshold implemented by the institution, with an Emergency Grant. Students who have not filed a FAFSA by March 26, 2021 but who are eligible to file a FAFSA may receive an emergency financial aid grant after their FAFSA is processed and they pass the criteria outlined above. Emergency grants offered to applicants who file a FAFSA after March 26, 2021 will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis as determined by a student’s 20-21 FAFSA received date. HEERF II Emergency Grant amounts offered under CRRSAA are determined by a student’s EFC with an emphasis on higher awards being allocated to students who have a low EFC.

Students who are not eligible to file a FAFSA due to their citizenship status will need to complete a HEERF Emergency Grant Application to determine their eligibility for an Emergency Grant determined. Information collected on the HEERF Emergency Grant Application will be entered into an EFC calculator and the EFC that is generated will be used to determine an applicant’s Emergency Grant eligibility and award amount using the same criteria as those that are able to file a FAFSA.

Benedictine University has also set aside CRRSAA Emergency funds for eligible students who continue to experience financial hardship after receiving their HEERF II Emergency Grant. Students can request additional emergency funds through an appeal application process.

All appeals applicants are advised to review and fully complete the appeals application. Students approved for additional funds via the appeals process will be notified of their eligibility via their Benedictine University email account. Awards are dependent on a student’s eligibility, financial need, the overall applicant pool, and available funds.

CRRSAA Emergency Grant Quarterly Report

CRRSAA Student

As of December 31, 2021, $1,644,696 in CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,933 students within the total potential pool of 2,952 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

As of September 30, 2021, $1,644,696 in CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,933 students within the total potential pool of 2,952 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

As of June 30, 2021, $1,643,204 in CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,935 students within the total potential pool of 2,952 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

HEERF I Emergency Grant – CARES Act

About the CARES Act

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 (HEERF) and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to be issued to students to help offset expenses related to campus closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shortly after the passing of the CARES Act, Benedictine University signed and returned the CARES HEERF Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education. Within this agreement, Benedictine University has agreed to use no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Under the CARES Act, Benedictine University is slated to receive a total of $3,297,892. Of that, no less than $1,648,946 will be distributed directly to students in the form of emergency grants. Upon review of the student demographic that makes up the entire Benedictine University populations at both the Lisle, IL, and Mesa, AZ, locations, it is estimated that the potential pool of students who may be CARES eligible is 2,732.

As of June 30, 2021, $1,648,946 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,969 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Who is eligible for CARES Act funding?

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 the HEA. Students who have not filed a FAFSA but who are eligible to file a FAFSA also may receive emergency financial aid grants. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.

On May 11, 2021, the Department of Education (ED) released an updated set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Notably, the FAQs reverse a narrow position that had been taken by ED under the former administration, and the policy now allows “Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students” as well as “international students” to receive HEERF grants. The policy guidance in the May 11, 2021 FAQs were followed up by a Final Rule that was published in the Federal Register on May 14, 2021. Unfortunately, ED’s reversal occurred after Benedictine University exhausted all of its CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grant funding.

How are Emergency Grant amounts determined? 

Benedictine University will use a hybrid approach when allocating to its students emergency grant funds under the CARES Act. With the hybrid approach, Benedictine University will provide all students who are, or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, a fixed emergency grant valued at $250. In addition, students will have additional dollars given to them based on need as determined by their 19-20 estimated family contribution (EFC) with the maximum Emergency Grant award set at $750.

Benedictine University has also set aside CARES Act Emergency funds for eligible students who were not initially awarded the maximum $750 grant to access through an appeal application process. Students who are interested in applying for an award appeal must meet the same basic eligibility criteria under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended outlined above. All appeals applicants are advised to review and fully complete the appeals application found here. Students approved for additional funds via the appeals process will be notified of their eligibility via their Benedictine University email account. Awards are dependent on a student’s eligibility, financial need, the overall applicant pool and available funds. The combined total award through the initial EFC review and the appeal is set at $750 total.

CARES Act Emergency Grant Quarterly Reports

As of June 30, 2021, $1,648,946 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,969 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of March 31, 2021, $1,638,100 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,982 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of December 31, 2020, $1,631,200 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,982 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of September 30, 2020, $1,631,200 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,982 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 30, 2020, $1,051,300 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to a total of 1,982 students within the total potential pool of 2,732 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

See the below CARES Act Institutional quarterly reports:

00176700_HEERF_Q42022 – 01102023 00176700_HEERF_Q32022 - 10102022 00176700_HEERF_Q22022 - 07102022 00176700_HEERF_Q12022 - 04102022 00176700_HEERF_Q42021 - 011022 00176700_HEERF_Q32021 - 101021 00176700_HEERF_Q22021 - 071021 00176700_HEERF_Q12021 - 041021 00176700_HEERF_Q42020 - 011021 00176700_HEERF_Q32020 - 103020 00176700_HEERF_Q12023 – 04102023
For further questions, or to set up an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid, please contact us at [email protected] or (630) 829-6100. Our office is located on the 2nd Floor of Goodwin Hall