Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Compliance & Reporting Information
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Report
This site provides information related to emergency grant funds available to students through the following federal fund resources:
- Coronavirus Assistance, Relief and Economics Security Act (CARES Act);
- Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA); and
- American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP)
Coronavirus Assistance, Relief, and Economics Security Act (CARES Act – HEERF I)
The Coronavirus Assistance, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act approved more than $14 billion in support for higher education. Using a formula based on both total enrollment and the share of enrolled students eligible for Federal Pell Grants, Stephens College was allocated $668,976. Stephens College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education a Certification and Agreement affirming 50% of those funds ($334,488) will be distributed in grants to students who have incurred unexpected expenses due to the COVID-19 emergency and campus closures (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare).
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) approved an additional $22.7 billion in support for higher education. Using a formula based on total enrollment, distance and in-person education, and the share of enrolled students eligible for Pell Grants, Stephens College was allocated $1,014,615. The CRRSAA requires that institutions receiving funding under section 314(a)(1) provide the “same amount” of funding in financial aid grants to students that it was required to provide under the CARES Act. Thus, Stephens College provided at least $334,488 of CRRSAA funds directly to students through financial aid grants.
Student emergency grants were not contingent on continued or future enrollment and were passed through PowerFAIDS in full and were not applied to or used to offset any charge, debt, tuition, fees, or other unpaid balance in a student account unless Stephens College received written authorization from the student to do so. None of the funds were encumbered in any manner by Stephens College. Federal guidance has confirmed that the amounts to be distributed are not subject to tax or withholding. Checks were mailed to the student primary address within 5 days of disbursement.
American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP – HEERF III)
The American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP – HEERF III) approved an additional $40 billion in support for higher education. Using a formula based on total enrollment, distance and in-person education, and the share of enrolled students eligible for Pell Grants, Stephens College was allocated $1,837,537 and is required to spend at least 50% for student emergency grants, thus, Stephens College will provide at least $939,365 of ARP funds directly to students through financial aid grants.
Financial aid grants for students may 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. Funds are not restricted to expenses associated with the closure of campus in the Spring 2020 semester.
The ARP provides institutions with the discretion to determine the amount and availability of each individual financial aid grant consistent with all applicable laws, including nondiscrimination laws but must prioritize grants to students with exceptional need. Stephens College may provide ARP funds students enrolled on or after March 13, 2020 in degree-seeking, non-degree seeking, non-credit, dual enrollment, and continuing education programs without restriction to in-person instruction. Funds may be provided to refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students, as the US Department of Education has removed the requirement that a student must be eligible for Title IV aid to receive financial assistance under the HEERF programs.
Stephens College identified approximately 582 Stephens College students as eligible to receive HEERF III funds. All 582 students were also able to request additional funding through the Stephens College HEERF III Additional Funding application and were awarded on a case-by-case basis. As of October 18, 2021 Stephens College distributed a total of $939,365 in HEERF III grants to 582 students.
In order to prioritize students with exceptional need, funding was distributed to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the Fall 2021 semester based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated by the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Awards values started at $175 and increased up to $2,750 on a graduated scale determined by EFC and enrollment status.
Student emergency grants were not contingent on continued or future enrollment and were passed through PowerFAIDS in full and were not applied to or used to offset any charge, debt, tuition, fees, or other unpaid balance in a student account unless Stephens College received written authorization from the student to do so. None of the funds were encumbered in any manner by Stephens College. Federal guidance has confirmed that the amounts to be distributed are not subject to tax or withholding. Checks were mailed to the student primary address within 5 days of disbursement.
Required Institutional Aid Data Reporting as of March 31, 2022
- Stephens College HEERF Report Oct. 8, 2021 >
- Stephens College HEERF Report Sept. 30, 2021 >
- Stephens College HEERF Report June 30, 2021 >
- Stephens College HEERF Report Dec. 31, 2021 >
- Stephens College HEERF Report March 31, 2022 >
*This data is final as of March 31, 2022, in compliance with DOE guidelines.