HEERF: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds
HEERF: Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Government issued multiple stimulus packages to provide relief and support to citizens. These stimulus packages include education stabilization funding for institutions of higher education in the form of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF).
Three stimulus bills provide HEERF support:
HEERF I: CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act
HEERF II: CRRSAA (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act)
HEERF III: ARP (American Rescue Plan)
Students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA). 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 of the HEA. Students who have not filed a FAFSA but who are eligible to file a FAFSA may also 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.
Additional Student Eligibility
- Students needed to be currently enrolled in the Spring 2020 at Albright College as of and after March 23, 2020, and did not withdraw during the semester
- Student is not a current Albright employee
How are funds being distributed?
CARES Act funds were posted to student accounts on Wednesday, June 10. Distribution of the funds will begin on Friday, June 12, and will continue until all refunds are issued. Funds will be issued either as a direct deposit, if the student is enrolled in eRefund, or as a paper check to be mailed to the home address on record.
Can I apply for funds if I am enrolled at Albright less than half-time?
Students who are enrolled at Albright College less than half-time and have experienced additional educational expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, may apply for CARES Act funds.
What may these funds be used for?
Students may use the funds for educational costs, for any expenses related to disruption of campus operations such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses, or to make a payment through Albright student accounts for any additional course materials or other education expenses.
Some families have generously indicated an interest in paying it forward by donating their CARES Act funds to support other students who may be in need at this time. If you would like your CARES Act funds to be donated to Albright’s Lifting Up Lions initiative or to the Advancing Lives scholarship fund, please send an email to COVID19adjustments@albright.edu, and we will be in contact with you.
How can I apply for additional financial assistance?
Albright College understands that some students and families were financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic more than others, so there is a portion of CARES Act funds that will be made available on a need basis. A web-based application process, which is based on data received from the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), is available here.
Additional CARES Act information
How much did Albright College receive?
Albright College received $1,284,784 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
How much has been allocated?
Grant processing for 1,526 eligible students began on June 10, 2020. As of December 31, $1,224,875 has been allocated.
How and when did Albright College apply for CARES Act funding?
Albright College signed and submitted the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on May 14, 2020. The U.S. DOE provided Alright College with an electronically signed Grant Award Notification (GAN) on May 20, 2020.
How did Albright College determine which students receive CARES Act funds?
Albright College identified all currently enrolled, full-time, undergraduate students who were enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at the time of the campus disruption. Key offices on campus validated enrollment statuses and federal aid eligibility prior to disbursement of emergency funds as outlined in the CARES Act and additional guidance from the U.S. DOE.
Digital Strategies and Infrastructure, Financial Aid and Student Accounts identified the eligible students’ corresponding Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) that is created by the FAFSA and/or the lack of a FAFSA. Staff stratified the population by EFC and up to no FAFSA on file. A base level of aid award was established based on enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and increase in grant allocation was added to the calculation based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
| EFC Range | Enrollment Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| from: | to: | Full-time | Half-time |
| $0.00 | $999.99 | $1,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $2,499.99 | $750.00 | $375.00 |
| $2,500.00 | $5,710.99 | $600.00 | $300.00 |
| $5,711.00 | $12,499.99 | $500.00 | $250.00 |
| $12,500.00 | $25,499.99 | $400.00 | $200.00 |
| $25,500.00 | > $100,000 | $300.00 | $150.00 |
| No FAFSA | $300.00 | $150.00 |
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), was signed in to law on December 27, 2020. CRRSAA provides for education stabilization through emergency funding to institutions of higher education through a second round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II). Institutions accepting CRRSAA funding must commit to providing a portion of the funds in the form of financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.
HEERF II and III Student Aid Report to the U.S. Department of Education
June 30, 2021
(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 ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Albright College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on May 20, 2020 for the HEERF I funds. This signed agreement remains in effect for all additional HEERF fund allocations. Acceptance of the HEERF allocations indicates Albright College agrees to abide by all requirements of the funds and assures the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than the required amount of funds to provide HEERF grants to students.
(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. $4,721,263
(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). $1,335,475
(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. 1,353
(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 1,353
(6) The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
Key offices on campus validated enrollment statuses and federal aid eligibility prior to disbursement of emergency funds as outlined in the HEERF II and III and additional guidance from the U.S. DOE. Digital Strategies and Infrastructure, Financial Aid and Student Accounts identified the eligible students’ corresponding Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) that is created by the FAFSA and/or the lack of a FAFSA. Staff stratified the population by EFC and up to no FAFSA on file. A base level of aid award was established based on enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and an additional grant allocation was added to the calculation based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
| EFC Range Lower | EFC Range Upper | Base | Full | Half |
| $0.00 | $999.99 | $300.00 | $1,350 | $675 |
| $1,000.00 | $2,499.99 | $300.00 | $1,000.00 | $500.00 |
| $2,500.00 | $5,710.99 | $300.00 | $750.00 | $375.00 |
| $5,711.00 | $12,499.99 | $300.00 | $500.00 | $250.00 |
| $12,500.00 | $25,499.99 | $300.00 | $300.00 | $150.00 |
| $25,500.00 | > $10,000,000.00 | $300.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Students who received a HEERF II distribution were notified by institutional email with the following information:
Today, we have some good news to share with you about the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) funds, signed into law on December 27, 2020. Albright College received this funding to provide financial assistance to you, our students, to help reduce the cost of attendance or for emergency expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses.
We are pleased to inform you that you are eligible for CRRSAA funds! Guided by our desire to provide funds to as many Albright students as possible, base-level funds have been made available to eligible full-time and part-time students. Additional funds are available based on information collected by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
What may these funds be used for?
Students may use the funds to pay their current account balance or a portion thereof, or have the grant applied to their account to help pay for a summer course upon authorization. Additionally, the funds may be used for educational costs, for any expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses.
How will I receive my CRRSAA grant?
Beginning today, April 21, the CRRSAA Grant Fund Authorization Form is available at studentedocs.albright.edu. Please review your authorization form to determine your allocation amount and select how you would like to receive the funds. There are two options from which to choose:
• Apply the grant funds directly to your student account balance.
• Have the grant refunded to you via direct deposit or a paper check.
Please note that once you have chosen your selection and submitted the form, we will be unable to make any modifications to your selection.
The authorization form will be available from April 21 through April 27. The funds will post to your account on April 28 and will be disseminated according to your authorization form.
Should you choose to select to receive the grant as a refund, it will be issued as a direct deposit to your designated bank account, if you are enrolled in eRefund, or issued as a paper check to be mailed to your home address.
We understand that you may have questions about the CRRSAA grant, and you are welcome to email covid19adjustments@albright.edu with those questions. We kindly ask that you have patience with our response as our first priority is the timely dissemination of your grant.
HEERF II and III Institutional Portion Reports to the U.S. Department of Education:
March 31, 2021
June 30, 2021
September 30, 2021
December 31, 2020
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 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 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
HEERF III Quarter 4 Student Aid Report to the U.S. Department of Education
January 10, 2022
(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 ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Albright College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on May 20, 2020 for the HEERF I funds. This signed agreement remains in effect for all additional HEERF fund allocations. Acceptance of the HEERF allocations indicates Albright College agrees to abide by all requirements of the funds and assures the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than the required amount of funds to provide HEERF grants to students.
(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. $4,721,263
(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). CRSSAA: $1,335,475 + ARP: $2,992,051 (as of December 31, 2021) = $4,327,526
(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. 1,389
(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 1,389
(6) The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
Key offices on campus validated enrollment statuses and federal aid eligibility prior to disbursement of emergency funds as outlined in the HEERF II and III and additional guidance from the U.S. DOE. Digital Strategies and Infrastructure, Financial Aid and Student Accounts identified the eligible students’ corresponding Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) that is created by the FAFSA and/or the lack of a FAFSA. Staff stratified the population by EFC and up to no FAFSA on file. A base level of aid award was established based on enrollment status (full-time or part-time) and an additional grant allocation was added to the calculation based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
| EFC Range Lower | EFC Range Upper | Base | Full | Half |
| $0.00 | $999.99 | $750.00 | $2250.00 | $1125.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $2,499.99 | $750.00 | $2000.01 | $1000.01 |
| $2,500.00 | $5,710.99 | $750.00 | $1500.00 | $750.00 |
| $5,711.00 | $12,499.99 | $750.00 | $1250.00 | $625.00 |
| $12,500.00 | $25,499.99 | $750.00 | $1000.00 | $500.00 |
| $25,500.00 | $10,000,000.00 | $750.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| No FAFSA | No FAFSA | $750.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Students who received a HEERF III distribution were notified by institutional email on September 29, 2021 with the following information:
We hope that the fall semester is going well for you!
Today, we have an important update to share with you regarding the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds III (HEERF III) created under the American Rescue Plan. Similar to the CRSSA grant, this funding is to provide additional COVID-19 relief to students. Albright College has received this funding to provide financial assistance to you, our students, intended to help you reduce your cost of attendance or for emergency expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses.
We are pleased to inform you that you are eligible for HEERF III funds! Guided by our desire to provide funds to as many Albright students as possible, base-level funds have been made available to all full-time and part-time students. Additional funds will be available to those students that demonstrate exceptional need by completing the HEERF III Grant application on the financial aid web page.
What may these funds be used for?
Upon your authorization, students may use the funds to pay their current account balance or a portion thereof, or have the grant applied to help pay for future costs. Alternatively, the funds may be received as a refund to be used for educational costs, for any expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare expenses.
How will I receive my HEERF III grant?
Beginning today, September 30, the HEERF III Funds Authorization Form is available at studentedocs.albright.edu. Please review your authorization form to determine your allocation amount and select how you would like to receive the funds. There are three options from which to choose:
• Apply the grant funds in full to your student account balance.
• Partially apply the grant funds to your student account balance and receive a refund for the remaining amount of the grant
• Have the full grant amount refunded to you via direct deposit (if enrolled in eRefund) or a paper check.
Please note that once you have chosen your selection and submitted the form, we will be unable to make any modifications to your selection.
The authorization form will be available from September 30 through October 6. The funds will post to your account on October 7 and the Student Accounts Office will begin the process to disseminate your grant according to your authorization form.
Should you choose to receive the grant as a refund, it will be issued as a direct deposit to your designated bank account, if you are enrolled in eRefund, or issued as a paper check to be mailed to your home address. The estimated date to receive these funds is no later than October 15.
We understand that you may have questions about the HEERF III funds, and you are welcome to email covid19adjustments@albright.edu with those questions. We kindly ask that you have patience with our response as our first priority is the timely dissemination of your grant.
Here’s hoping the remainder of your fall semester is happy, healthy and full of joy!
Best wishes,
Karen A. Campbell, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic affairs
Samantha J. Wesner, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC
Senior Vice President of Student and Campus Life and Chief Health Officer
Jeffrey L. Strader, CPA
Vice President for Finance and Strategic Partnerships
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