CARES ACT: HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND-STUDENT AID
OVERVIEW
On March 26, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide immediate relief to Americans impacted by COVID-19. As part of this legislation, institutions of higher education have been granted funding to provide students with emergency financial aid grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
$1,167,415 has been allocated to Canisius University for student emergency relief through the CARES Act. Canisius has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form necessary to access the funds, and intends to use 100% of these funds to provide emergency grants to students, within one year of the application date. Funds may only be provided for student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Recipients must be chosen from among the approximately 2,224 Canisius students who are fully eligible for federal financial aid (registered students with a valid 19-20 FAFSA or completed an application).
PROCESS
Phase 1. Canisius is awarding the CARES Act emergency relief via an application process. The application can be completed by any current Canisius student meeting the eligibility requirements. This application process allows the review team to determine if emergency relief may be awarded from the CARES Act funds or the Canisius University Emergency Relief Fund. All payments will be paid directly to students and will not pay toward any balance they may currently owe in their student account. All students are encouraged to log in to their myCanisius and either set up direct deposit or update their mailing address.
Phase 2. Canisius is awarding $500 CARES Act emergency relief funds to spring 2020 Pell recipients. All payments will be paid directly to students and will not pay toward any balance they may currently owe in their student account. All students are encouraged to log in to their myCanisius and either set up direct deposit or update their mailing address.
As of May 22, 2020, Canisius has distributed $380,569 to 292 students.
As of May 29, 2020, Canisius has distributed $463,092 to 354 students.
As of June 5, 2020, Canisius has distributed $651,043 to 495 students.
As of June 12, 2020, Canisius has distributed $722,343 to 550 students.
As of July 7, 2020, Canisius has distributed $859,740 to 673 students.
As of August 7, 2020, Canisius has distributed $1,167,415 to 1,034 students.
HEERF II-HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND-STUDENT AID
On December 27, the federal government approved a second round of emergency relief funding amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) as authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), Canisius has been allocated $1,167,415 million in emergency funds to grant directly to eligible students who have demonstrated need and are facing financial challenges because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients must be chosen from among the approximately 1,961 Canisius students who are fully eligible for federal financial aid (registered students with a valid 20-21 FAFSA or completed an application).
Eligible expenses for student HEERF II grants include: (1) a student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel/transportation); or (2) for emergency costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (including housing costs, food costs, or health care or childcare expenses). The period of time for which students may seek a grant for eligible expenses is March 13, 2020 onward.
Canisius is awarding the CRRSAA HEERF II funds via an application process. The application can be completed by any current Canisius student meeting the eligibility requirements.
When disbursing emergency grants to students, Canisius will prioritize grant requests from students with the most “exceptional need” per Education Department guidance (for instance, although not limited to, Pell-eligible students and others with previously established financial hardships).
Eligibility requirements:
- Complete the Canisius HEERF II application
- Attended the spring 2021 semester
- US citizen (undocumented, DACA, and international students are not eligible for HEERF II funds)
The distributions of the HEERF II funds to students will be processed by direct deposit or check unless a student requests that the funds be applied directly to their student account.
As of March 31, 2021, Canisius has distributed $1,167,415 to 839 students.
HEERF III Awards
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that appropriated $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) to assist colleges and universities and their students respond to COVID-19 losses.
Canisius has been allocated $3,082,910 million in emergency funds to grant directly to eligible students who have demonstrated need and are facing financial challenges because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Recipients must be chosen from among the approximately 2,618 Canisius students.
Summer Awards
A portion of the HEERF III funds will be allocated to all students registered for summer courses at Canisius (a second portion of HEERF III funds will be awarded to students registered for the fall 2021 semester). If you are a Pell Eligible student, you will qualify for a $750 summer award. If you are not Pell-eligible or have not filed a FASFA, you will qualify for a $500 summer award. Students who can demonstrate "exceptional need" may also qualify for additional funds.
Eligible expenses for student HEERF III grants include: (1) a student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel/transportation); or (2) for emergency costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (including housing costs, food costs, or health care or childcare expenses). The period of time for which students may seek a grant for eligible expenses is March 13, 2020 onward.
All students registered for summer courses are encouraged to complete the award form. When disbursing emergency grants to students, Canisius will prioritize grant requests from students with the most “exceptional need” per Education Department guidance (for instance, although not limited to, Pell-eligible students and others with previously established financial hardships).
Eligibility requirements:
- Complete the summer Canisius HEERF III award form
- A summer 2021 registered student
The distributions of the HEERF III funds to students will be by direct deposit or check unless a student requests the funds be applied directly to their student account.
Fall Awards
A portion of the HEERF III funds will be allocated to all students registered for fall 2021 courses at Canisius. If you are a Pell Eligible student, you will qualify for a $1,500 award. If you are not Pell-eligible or have not filed a FASFA, you will qualify for a $500 - $1,200 award based on your status as a full-time or part-time student. Students who can demonstrate "exceptional need" may also qualify for additional funds.
Eligible expenses for student HEERF III grants include: (1) a student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel/transportation); or (2) for emergency costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (including housing costs, food costs, or health care or childcare expenses). The period of time for which students may seek a grant for eligible expenses is March 13, 2020 onward.
All students registered for fall 2021 courses are encouraged to complete the award form. When disbursing emergency grants to students, Canisius will prioritize grant requests from students with the most “exceptional need” per Education Department guidance (for instance, although not limited to, Pell-eligible students and others with previously established financial hardships). Disbursing of awards will begin after the fall semester drop/add period.
Eligibility requirements:
• Complete the fall Canisius HEERF III award form
• A fall 2021 registered student
The distributions of the HEERF III funds to students will be processed starting September 7 by direct deposit or check unless a student requests the funds be applied directly to their student account.
Intersession Awards
A portion of the HEERF III funds will be allocated to all students registered for intersession 2022 courses at Canisius. If you are a Pell Eligible student, you will qualify for a $750 award. If you are not Pell-eligible or have not filed a FASFA, you will qualify for a $500 or $750 award based on your registered credit hours. Students who can demonstrate "exceptional need" may also qualify for additional funds.
Eligible expenses for student HEERF III grants include: (1) a student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel/transportation); or (2) for emergency costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (including housing costs, food costs, or health care or childcare expenses). The period of time for which students may seek a grant for eligible expenses is March 13, 2020 onward.
All students registered for intersession 2022 courses are encouraged to complete the award form. When disbursing emergency grants to students, Canisius will prioritize grant requests from students with the most “exceptional need” per Education Department guidance (for instance, although not limited to, Pell-eligible students and others with previously established financial hardships).
Eligibility requirements:
• Complete the fall Canisius HEERF III award form
• A intersession 2022 registered student
The distributions of the HEERF III funds to students will be processed by direct deposit or check unless a student requests the funds be applied directly to their student account.
Spring Awards
A portion of the HEERF III funds will be allocated to students with the most "exceptional need" registered for fall 2021 courses at Canisius. If you are a Pell Eligible student or meet certain gross unmet need requirements, you will qualify for a $850 award. Students who can demonstrate "exceptional need" may also qualify for additional funds.
Eligible expenses for student HEERF III grants include: (1) a student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, board, books, travel/transportation); or (2) for emergency costs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic (including housing costs, food costs, or health care or childcare expenses). The period of time for which students may seek a grant for eligible expenses is March 13, 2020 onward.
The distributions of the HEERF III funds to students will be processed by direct deposit or check unless a student requests the funds be applied directly to their student account.
As of June 30, 2021, Canisius has distributed $153,250 to 301 students.
As of September 30, 2021, Canisius has distributed $1,883,700 to 1953 students.
As of December 31, 2021, Canisius has distributed $2,513,920 to 2500 students.
As of March 31, 2022, Canisius has distributed $2,608,315 to 2575 students.
As of June 30, 2022, Canisius has awarded $3,082,910 to 2951 student.
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