CARES Act

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 18:38:44 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Thu, 04/07/2022 - 14:38

April 8, 2022

To the Mason Community:

On May 18, 2021, ��AV received a $32,116,557 supplemental allocation of funding for student emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law on March 11, 2021. This third round of funding is commonly referred to as “HEERF III”.

The Department of Education has established eligibility and prioritization requirements for students to receive grants from the HEERF programs. Recent updates to the eligibility guidelines have expanded the population of eligible students beyond those eligible for earlier rounds of HEERF awards. Mason estimates that up to 38,000 students are eligible to receive HEERF III grants based upon these expanded guidelines. Mason has the discretion to determine individual award amounts provided to eligible students.

For the HEERF III awards, Mason is continuing to use a multi-prong approach which includes proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards ranging from $500 - $1,350 with higher amounts awarded to students with the greatest need as indicated by estimated family contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA. Application-based awards are provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. We anticipate that these funds will be fully disbursed during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended March 31, 2022, along with information on previous distributions for reference.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	Prior Quarters	1/1/2022- 3/31/2022	Grand Total
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$15,952,916	$15,037,370	$30,990,286
Number of students who received a HEERF grant (unduplicated)	14,414	12,448	15,840

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance via Mason’s University Life website. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Tue, 11 Jan 2022 00:45:23 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Mon, 01/10/2022 - 19:45

January 10, 2022

To the Mason Community:

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended December 31, 2021, along with information on previous distributions for reference.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	Prior Quarters	10/1/2021– 12/31/2021	Grand Total
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$14,597,933	$1,354,983	$15,952,916
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant	13,161	1,253	14,414

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 18:05:37 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Fri, 10/08/2021 - 14:05

To the Mason Community:

For the HEERF III awards, Mason is continuing to use a multi-prong approach which includes proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards are provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. We anticipate that these funds will be fully disbursed during the 2021-2022 academic year.

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2021. This was the first calendar quarter in which HEERF III awards were made.

ARPA – HEERF III Awards

	7/1/2021 – 9/30/2021
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students	$14,597,933
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant	13,159

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-fall-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report/FINAL

Aju Cherian — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 17:44:07 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report/FINAL Aju Cherian Fri, 10/08/2021 - 13:44

To the Mason Community:

On February 16, 2021, ��AV received a $10,427,512 supplemental allocation of funding for student emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020. This second round of funding is commonly referred to as “HEERF II”.

The Department of Education has established eligibility and prioritization requirements for students to receive grants from the HEERF programs. Recent updates to the eligibility guidelines have expanded the population of eligible students beyond those eligible for earlier rounds of HEERF awards. Mason estimates that approximately 23,600 students were eligible to receive HEERF II grants based on the guidelines. Within those guidelines, Mason has the discretion to determine individual award amounts provided to eligible students.

For the HEERF II awards, Mason used a multi-prong approach which included proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards were provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. The majority of the HEERF II awards were disbursed to students during the Spring 2021 semester. Emergency awards continued to be awarded during the summer 2021 term.

The table below lists the award distributions made during the calendar quarter ended September 30, 2021, along with information on previous distributions for reference.

CRRSAA – HEERF II Awards

	Prior quarters	7/1/2021 - 9/30/2021	Grand Total
Amount of HEERF II grants distributed to students	$10,265,892	$113,012	$10,378,904
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant	9,748	64	9,812

The remaining unallocated HEERF II funds, along with any amounts from adjustments or uncashed checks from previously issued awards have been rolled over into the funds available for distribution under HEERF III grants (funded by the American Rescue Plan Act). As such, this is the final quarterly report for Mason’s emergency student awards under HEERF II.

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-fall-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Financial aid available for Mason students through federal coronavirus relief funds

Colleen Rich — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 17:56:38 +0000

Financial aid available for Mason students through federal coronavirus relief funds Colleen Rich Tue, 08/31/2021 - 13:56

��AV is disbursing millions of dollars in CARES Act funding to more than 14,000 eligible students this fall, with the latest funds to be awarded in early September.

To qualify for funding, students must be registered for at least one credit and have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with an Expected Family Contribution of less than $20,000.

The CARES Act—Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act—provides direct economic help to address issues related to COVID-19. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), an offshoot of CARES, is the source of the financial aid. This is the third round of HEERF funding.

Because of student need, Mason will receive more HEERF money than any four-year university in Virginia, with half of the awarded $64 million earmarked for financial aid. Following Mason are Virginia Commonwealth University ($57.1 million) Virginia Tech ($49.7 million), Old Dominion University ($46.2 million), James Madison University ($31 million), the University of Virginia ($30.4 million) and the College of William & Mary ($10.2 million).

“The CARES/HEERF funding that Mason will be able to award this year is key to keeping our students in school and on track to graduation,” said David Burge, vice president for enrollment management. “We are grateful for this additional support during a time that has been incredibly challenging for our students.”

“The CARES/HERRF fund allows us to offer financial support to those who need it during a time that has tested our students in every way possible,” said Rose Pascarell, vice president for University Life. “HEERF dollars, along with the Stay Mason/Emergency Assistance Fund, have decreased the intensified financial stressors brought on by the pandemic—relief that is much needed and appreciated by our students.”

HEERF will release more awards in early September for potential aid qualifiers who have registered for fall classes. Students should check their financial aid tab in PatriotWeb. Questions can be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid at 703-993-2000 or through the Financial Aid virtual service form.

Students are eligible to receive these funds if:

They complete and submit the CARES ACT/HEERF III Certification form.
They are enrolled in at least one credit through Mason on the Sept. 15 fund release date.

In addition:

Students may receive funds as a disbursement or apply it directly to their bills.
Students will not see late fees on their accounts before the Sept. 15 HEERF disbursement.

If a student changes their mind about whether they want to receive the money as a credit to their bill or as a refund, after submitting a certification form, they can request the change in writing through the Financial Aid virtual service form by Sept. 9.

Students attending Mason this fall who do not meet some of the HEERF eligibility requirements can apply for assistance through the Stay Mason/Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Stay Mason Student Support Fund was created in October 2015 in response to students concerned about rising tuition and their inability to persist at Mason because of their financial circumstances. Since the pandemic, Stay Mason has been temporarily merged with the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. During this time, additional institutional money, as well as CARES Act money, was awarded to students in need.

Since the beginning of Spring 2021, Mason has returned to normal operations with the Stay Mason Student Support Fund but will continue to distribute CARES Act money as available.

From July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, the Stay Mason Student Support Fund/Emergency Assistance Fund awarded $3.3 million to 2,648 qualified students. From July 1 to Aug. 27, 88 students have received more than $203,000 from the fund.

Topics

Campus News

Financial Aid

coronavirus; covid-19

CARES Act

Student Emergency Assistance Fund

Students

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:44:29 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:44

To the Mason Community:

��AV received supplemental allocations of funding for student emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020 as listed in the table below.

The Department of Education has established eligibility and prioritization requirements for students to receive grants from these programs. Recent updates to the eligibility guidelines have expanded the population of eligible students beyond those eligible for earlier rounds of HEERF awards. Within those guidelines, Mason has the discretion to determine individual award amounts provided to eligible students.

January 1, 2021 – March 31, 2021	CRRSAA – HEERF II
Date of award notice	February 16, 2021
Total amount of funds that the institution will receive for grants to students	$10,427,512
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students during this quarter	8,124,080
Estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive HEERF grants	23,601
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant during this quarter	7,802

For the HEERF II awards, Mason used a multi-prong approach which included proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards were provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. The majority of the HEERF II awards were disbursed to students during the Spring 2021 semester. The remaining funds are still being used for Emergency awards for the summer 2021 term.

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-summer-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:39:59 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:39

To the Mason Community:

April 1, 2021 – June 30, 2021	CRRSAA – HEERF II
Date of award notice	February 16, 2021
Total amount of funds that the institution will receive for grants to students	$10,427,512
Total amount of HEERF grants distributed to students during this quarter	2,141,813
Estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive HEERF grants	23,601
Total number of students who received a HEERF grant during this quarter	2,018

Click HERE to access the January - March 2021 report.

For the HEERF II awards, Mason used a multi-prong approach which included proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards were provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. The majority of the HEERF II awards were disbursed to students during the Spring 2021 semester. The remaining funds are still being used for Emergency awards for the summer 2021 term.

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-summer-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report

Aju Cherian — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 16:35:26 +0000

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Report Aju Cherian Tue, 07/13/2021 - 12:35

To the Mason Community:

��AV received supplemental allocations of funding for student emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) signed into law on March 11, 2021 as listed in the table below.

Mason is currently evaluating alternatives for distribution of the HEERF III student aid funds. We anticipate that these funds will be fully disbursed during the 2021-2022 academic year.

For the HEERF II awards, Mason used a multi-prong approach which included proactive awards to students with existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system and application-based awards utilizing our existing Student Emergency Assistance grant process. Students were identified for proactive awards based on a combination of factors including (but not limited to) estimated family contribution (EFC), unmet need, student level, and residency status. Application-based awards were provided to eligible students experiencing adverse financial impacts of the pandemic based on information provided in their applications. The majority of the HEERF II awards were disbursed to students during the Spring 2021 semester. The remaining funds are still being used for Emergency awards for the summer 2021 term.

Students experiencing on-going financial hardships are encouraged to apply for emergency assistance available from the HEERF funds, and can submit applications for assistance at: https://ulife.gmu.edu/student-emergency-assistance-funding-summer-2021/. The application is updated for each new semester.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

March 31: CARES Act Disclosure

Aju Cherian — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 15:12:09 +0000

March 31: CARES Act Disclosure Aju Cherian Wed, 03/31/2021 - 11:12

March 31, 2021

To the Mason Community:

��AV submitted the Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) allocation for Student Emergency Aid on April 13, 2020, and received notice of the award on April 22, 2020.

Mason has used, or intends to use, no less than the $10,427,512 that will be received under this program.

The Department of Education has established eligibility requirements for students to receive grants from this program.

We estimate that since the inception of the program 27,551 Mason students met the government’s eligibility requirements. 

Mason has the discretion to determine the amount of each individual emergency financial aid grant provided to Mason students who meet eligibility requirements. To do this, Mason developed a multi-prong approach to the grant disbursements. 

First Round of Proactive Awards

Mason identified students with greater financial need based on existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system. Students who fully utilized the financial aid awarded to them from other programs and who meet certain criteria have been offered a CARES Act-funded grant. The awards were subject to the student providing a certification of financial impact related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

On May 8, 2020, we notified 4,554 students of award offers totaling $4.6 million. Of these award offers, 4,296 students accepted the offered amounts, completed an online certification of impact, and received payments totaling $4,344,371.

Second Round of Proactive Awards

Mason identified students enrolled for summer classes with greater financial need based on existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system. Students who had not previously received a CARES Act-funded proactive award in the first round were prioritized. The awards are subject to the student providing a certification of financial impact related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

On July 7, 2020, we notified 1,675 students of award offers totaling $1.7 million. Of these offers, 1,599 students accepted the offered amounts, completed an online certification of impact, and received payments totaling $1,636,100.

Third Round of Proactive Awards

Mason identified students enrolled for Fall 2020 classes with greater financial need based on existing FAFSA data in our Financial Aid system. Students who had previously received a CARES Act-funded award were not disqualified from receiving a proactive award in this round. The awards are subject to the student providing a certification of financial impact related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

On September 2, 2020, we notified 3,264 students of award offers totaling $2.9 million. Of these offers, 3,182 students accepted the offered amounts, completed an online certification of impact, and received payments totaling $2,874,700 as of December 31, 2020.

Student Application Process

Mason previously established a Student Emergency Assistance Fund, in which students can apply for grants to cover expenses following the shift in campus operations. Since March 27, 2020 (the date the CARES Act was signed), we have disbursed 1,874 awards totaling $1,569,313 meeting the criteria for CARES Act funding as of March 31, 2021.

CARES Act HEERF fully expended

As of March 31, 2021, Mason had fully distributed the $10,427,512 received under the CARES Act HEERF program. There were, however, 76 checks totaling $70,819 to students that were not cashed. After repeated attempts to contact students, these awards were cancelled and the funding transferred to the HEERF II program (see below) for future student aid awards.

This is the final quarterly report of the CARES Act funding.

Additional Student Emergency Funding

On December 27, 2020, the federal government enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which included additional funding for the HEERF program created under the CARES Act (establishing the “HEERF II” fund). Mason is using $10,427,512 of the HEERF II funds for direct aid to students, (with another 70,819 added from remaining CARES funds). The majority of these funds have been distributed to students at this time. Emergency applications are still being considered for the remainder of the funds.

On March 11, 2021, the federal government enacted the American Rescue Plan Act which established the “HEERF III” fund. Mason is currently awaiting additional information from the Department of Education about the funding Mason will receive under this program. We expect the majority of the HEERF III Student Emergency Aid funding to be distributed in the next year.

Additional information about Mason’s administration of the CARES Act funding, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available on the university’s COVID-19 information page. All students received correspondence in May 2020 regarding the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds as included in our reports on May 22, July 6, August 20, September 30 and December 31

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid

December 31: CARES Act Disclosure

Aju Cherian — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:37:46 +0000

December 31: CARES Act Disclosure Aju Cherian Mon, 01/11/2021 - 15:37

December 31, 2020

To the Mason Community:

Mason has used, or intends to use, no less than the $10,427,512 that will be received under this program.

The Department of Education has established eligibility requirements for students to receive grants from this program.

We estimate that since the inception of the program 27,551 Mason students met the government’s eligibility requirements. 

First Round of Proactive Awards

On May 8, we notified 4,554 students of award offers totaling $4.6 million. Of these award offers, 4,296 students accepted the offered amounts, completed an online certification of impact, and received payments totaling $4,344,371.

Second Round of Proactive Awards

a certification of financial impact related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

On July 7, we notified 1,675 students of award offers totaling $1.7 million. Of these offers, 1,599 students accepted the offered amounts, completed an online certification of impact, and received payments totaling $1,636,100.

Third Round of Proactive Awards

Student Application Process

Mason previously established a Student Emergency Assistance Fund, in which students can apply for grants to cover expenses following the shift in campus operations. Since March 27, 2020 (the date the CARES Act was signed), we have disbursed awards to 1,633 students totaling $1,497,847 meeting the criteria for CARES Act funding as of December 31, 2020.

The CARES Act funding enables us to extend this program. We continue to accept applications for the Student Emergency Assistance Fund. Awards meeting the government’s eligibility criteria will be funded by the CARES Act funds. Mason has lifted the restriction that students could receive CARES Act funding only once, as many students are experiencing on-going hardships.

Future Awards

As of December 31, 2020, Mason has remaining uncommitted funding of approximately $74,494. We continue to encourage students still experiencing financial impacts to apply to the Student Emergency Fund

described above. We anticipate that these remaining funds will be fully distributed by February 28, 2021.

Additional Student Emergency Funding

On December 27, 2020, the federal government enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which included additional funding for the HEERF program created under the CARES Act. Mason is currently awaiting additional information from the Department of Education about the amount of funding allocated to Mason. A portion of this funding will be awarded as Student Emergency Aid during the coming year.

Topics

Admissions and Financial Aid