CARES Act Information for Students

Note: All CARES funding has been expended to students and there are no additional funds to be disbursed.

COVID-19 Emergency Funding

About HEERF (CARES), HEERF II (CRRSAA), and HEERF III (ARP)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act allotted $2.2 trillion for economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Of that $2.2 trillion, approximately $14 billion was allocated to the U.S. Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF, and distributed to U.S. institutions of higher education.

Subsequently, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, HEERF II provides an additional $22.1 billion for U.S. higher education institutions.

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

Albion College HEERF Funding – Overview

Albion College has received several allocations of funding under HEERF, HEERF II, and HEERF III. This webpage provides information for Albion students, the campus community, the public, and the U.S. Department of Education regarding its HEERF expenditures and awarding processes.

Emergency formula funding is allotted to Albion College through:

HEERF (CARES Act)
- Section 18004(a)(1) of HEERF in the amount of $1,831,232. At least 50% ($915,616) of Albion’s $1,831,232 emergency formula funding was required to go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. The Department of Education authorized recipient institutions to use the remaining 50% of CARES Section 18004(a)(1) funding (the remaining $915,615)—known as CARES Institutional Funds—for institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.
- Section 18004(a)(2) of HEERF (known as SIP funds) in the amount of $89,124. The Department of Education authorized recipient institutions to use funding received under 18004(a)(2) for a variety of institutional costs benefiting student education during the coronavirus pandemic.
HEERF II (CRRSAA)
- Section 314(a)(1) of HEERF II (CRRSAA) in the amount of $1,814,268 was allotted to Albion College to assist with challenges due to ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic, to effectively respond to the coronavirus threat, and to help keep staff and students safe while preserving the learning environment. An additional $915,616 is allocated under this section to distribute to Albion students in the form of emergency financial aid grants.
- Section 314(a)(2) of HEERF II (CRRAA SIP Funds) also allocated funds to the College in the amount of $115,826.
HEERF III (ARP)
- 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.
- Under section 2003(a)(1), $2,397,717 was allocated to Albion College to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. An additional $2,397,719 is allocated under this section to distribute to Albion students in the form of emergency financial aid grants.

Public Reports on HEERF Institutional and SIP Funds

Cumulatively, Albion College is receiving a total of $5,127,600 in HEERF, HEERF II, and HEERF III institutional funds (i.e., funds going to the institution for coronavirus related costs).The College is also receiving an additional $204,950 distributed to institutions eligible for the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). This section links to the required Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Public Reports for the institutional and SIP funding.

October 30, 2020 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

December 31, 2020 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

March 31, 2021 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

June 30, 2021 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

September 30, 2021 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

December 31, 2021 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

March 31, 2022 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

June 30, 2022 Albion College Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports Under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, and 18004(a)(2)

Public Report on CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Albion College signed and returned, to the Department of Education, the Certification Agreement and assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The College received the funding on April 31, 2020.

CARES Act 1 (HEERF)

TOTAL AMOUNT of Emergency Financial Aid Grants DISTRIBUTED to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of July 1, 2021: $915,616.

ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS at the institution ELIGIBLE to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965: 1339.

TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS who HAVE RECEIVED an Emergency Financial Aid Grant: 913.

Eligibility

Only students who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV (e.g. Pell and Federal Student Loans) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), could receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student 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 did not file a FAFSA but who are eligible to file a FAFSA also may receive emergency financial aid grants.
Students must be currently enrolled at Albion College.
Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. Albion College undocumented students and international students were not eligible based on Department of Education’s guidance.
Students must have been enrolled in a degree program.

Students who had financial hardship due to COVID-19 due to disruption in campus operations and 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), may have received emergency financial aid grants. If a student filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student 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 also may have received 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.

Process

All eligible students* who completed a 2019-2020 and/or 2020-2021 FAFSA application and were determined by the Financial Aid Office to be eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV) received an emergency grant between $250-$1,300 based upon need. Students did not have to apply or take any action. For all eligible students, the emergency grant was posted on the student’s account and within a week a refund was generated for the same amount. Any students who needed additional assistance will be required to complete the “Emergency Grant Aid Request”. Due to limited funding, additional requests for Emergency Grant Aid will be based on the availability of funds.

*Eligible students must have been currently enrolled in good academic standing, have been enrolled in a degree program at Albion College on March 13, 2020; and meet all qualifications for federal financial aid (Title IV).

CARES Act Questions and Answers

What is the CARES Act?

The CARES Act is federal legislation which provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. One part of this federal program allocates money to Albion College, and a portion of that allocation can be awarded to students who are experiencing financial expenses because of the campus disruption in operations due to the coronavirus.

What kinds of expenses are allowable?

Expenses need to be directly related to the changes in campus operations due to the coronavirus. Here are some examples:

If a student needs a laptop because the college moved to online courses, that would be an allowable expense.
If a student worked on campus and now the job is suspended, funds could be used to pay for expenses because the college changed operationally.

Note: If you or a family member lost your job and cannot afford to pay for books, that expense would not be allowed because it does not relate to the college’s change in operations.

Funds can be used for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, tuition, fees, or child care. These expenses need to be tied directly to a specific change in how the college is operating due to the coronavirus.

HEERF II (CRRSAA)

TOTAL AMOUNT of Emergency Financial Aid Grants DISTRIBUTED to students under CRRSAA of HEERF II as of July 1, 2021: $915,616.

ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS at the institution ELIGIBLE to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965: 1321.

TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS who HAVE RECEIVED an Emergency Financial Aid Grant: 1233.

Eligibility

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV (e.g. Pell and Federal Student Loans) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may have received emergency financial aid grants. If a student 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 must have been currently enrolled at Albion College.
Students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. Albion College undocumented students and international students are not eligible based on Department of Education’s guidance.
Students must be enrolled in a degree program.

Students who had financial hardship due to COVID-19 or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), 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 of the HEA.

Process

All eligible students* who completed a 2020-2021 FAFSA application and were determined by the Financial Aid Office to be eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV) received an emergency grant between $200-$2,000 prioritizing exceptional financial need first. Students do not have to apply or take any action. For all eligible students, the emergency grant will be posted on the student’s account within a week. Students were given the option to opt in to keep the funds and apply it toward their account balance. Students must have completed the digital or paper form consenting for the dollars to remain on their account.

*Eligible students must have been enrolled at Albion College any time after the national emergency, must have been enrolled in a degree program at Albion College on March 13, 2020; and meet all qualifications for federal financial aid (Title IV).

American Rescue Plan (ARP)/HEERF III

TOTAL AMOUNT of Emergency Financial Aid Grants DISTRIBUTED to students under HEERF III as of December 31, 2021: $2,397,717

ESTIMATED TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS at the institution ELIGIBLE to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965: 1400.

TOTAL NUMBER of STUDENTS who HAVE RECEIVED an Emergency Financial Aid Grant: 959

Eligibility

Students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV (e.g. Pell and Federal Student Loans) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may have received emergency financial aid grants. If a student 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 must have been currently enrolled at Albion College.
Students must be enrolled in a degree program.
Undocumented, DACA, and International students are eligible under ARP/HEERF III

Process

All eligible students* who completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA application and were determined by the Financial Aid Office to be eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV) received an emergency grant between $500-$3,200 prioritizing exceptional financial need first. Students do not have to apply or take any action. For all eligible students, the emergency grant will be posted on the student’s account within a week. Students were given the option to opt in to keep the funds and apply it toward their account balance. Students must have completed the digital or paper form consenting for the dollars to remain on their account. Students also will have the opportunity to complete and document any cost of attending school or emergency cost that has continued to arise due to Coronavirus. This money can also be used towards tuition bills.

FAQ

How do I apply?

Eligible students who completed a 2019-2020, 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 FAFSA application and were determined by the Financial Aid Office to be eligible for federal financial aid (Title IV) will automatically receive an emergency grant; they did not have to apply or take any action. Students who need additional assistance beyond their automatic CARES emergency grant have already been invited to submit an Emergency Grant Aid Request to the Financial Aid Office.

Does the money need to be repaid?

No, money received through this fund does not need to be repaid.

Would this funding reduce my financial aid?

No, this fund does not negate nor replace financial aid, and it is a one-time grant.

Who can I call for more information?

For questions and inquiries, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

If I need additional assistance and submit an Emergency Grant Aid Request as referenced above, how much can I apply for?

We have a limited amount granted to us, and we appreciate students only asking for the amount needed so we can serve as many students as possible.

Updated: June 11, 2022