Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund: CRRSAA
CRRSAA HEERF II Emergency Grants
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law by the President of the United States on December 27, 2020. CRRSAA includes additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funds, referred to as HEERF II that provided more than $22.7 billion in emergency funding to higher education.
On January 14, 2021, the acting assistant secretary for postsecondary education provided allocations to colleges and universities. Sacred Heart University has received $6.5 million of which $2.1 million is designated for emergency grants to students. The remaining funds are designated for use by the institution to cover expenses related to the coronavirus.
The U.S. Department of Education released new guidance following final rules published on May 14, 2021, by the federal government stating that Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds emergency financial aid grants can be awarded to any individual who is or was enrolled (as defined in 34 CFR SS 668.2) at an eligible institution on or after March 13, 2020.
Furthermore, in accordance with federal guidelines, institutions are directed to prioritize students with exceptional need. To confirm exceptional need, the University will be requiring that students submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The funds are to provide students with financial grants that may be used for any component of a 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 child care.
As of Friday, February 18, 2022, the Sacred Heart University CRRSAA HEERF II Higher Education Emergency Funds to students ended as we reached our funding limit.
Sacred Heart University acknowledges the following:
- On May 4, 2021, Sacred Heart University received the terms and consideration notification in regard to the supplemental award made under section 314(a) (1) of CRRSAA notifying institutions of the minimum amount each institution can award for emergency grants to students
- The total amount of funds Sacred Heart University received from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $2,152,589
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA as of February 18, 2022 is $2,152,589.
- At Sacred Heart University, it is estimated 10,059 students were enrolled during the academic year 2020-2021 and potentially eligible to participate under 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA
- As of February 18, 2022, 1,853 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA
Sacred Heart University provided HEERF II grants of $600 -$800 to eligible degree seeking undergraduate students with a Federal Total Family Contribution (TFC) up to $11,422 (two times a maximum Pell Eligible TFC) resulting from students’ 2020-2021 FAFSA on record and enrolled for the spring 2021 semester. Qualified students were sent an email notification from the office of the senior vice president of finance.
The University set aside the remaining funds to be distributed to enrolled undergraduate and graduate students for the academic year 2020-2021 and beyond through the CRRSAA HEERF II Application until all funds have been exhausted. The main criteria for a HEERF II grant are the demonstration of a genuine, eligible expense and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.
Detailed information and guidance are available to the Sacred Heart University community via this webpage. The information is updated regularly and includes clear instructions on how students can receive and request the grants to help with their expenses related to the coronavirus.
HEERF II (CRRSA) Student Aid Report
Total CRRSA Act Funds Awarded to Sacred Heart University for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $2,152,589
The estimated number of Sacred Heart University students who were eligible to receive CRRSA Act: 10,059
Number of students who received CRRSA Act Funds as of March 31, 2022: 1,853 (unduplicated)
| As of June 30, 2021 | As of September 30, 2021 | As of December 31, 2021 | As of March 31, 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total CRRSA Act Funds Distributed to Students | $1,118,400 | $628,244 | $208,669 | $197,276 |
| Number of Students Who Received CRRSA Act Funds | 1,500 | 344 | 121 | 118 |
Student Financial Assistance
Students who have not yet applied for financial assistance for the 2021-2022 academic year are encouraged to do so as soon as possible. Please refer Sacred Heart University’s Financial Assistance website for more detailed information on financial assistance. Our office understands students and their families may have experienced layoffs, furloughs, a reduction in pay or have small business concerns as a result of the coronavirus. We realize a change in circumstance may require the updating of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year 2020-2021 or 2021-2022 to reflect your family’s current financial situation. If you would like to submit a Request for Re-evaluation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance for financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus contact sfa@sacredheart.edu for information and advisement.
CRRSAA HEERF II Eligibility & Information
Eligible students met the following qualifications:
- Enrolled at Sacred Heart University as of the Spring 2020 semester or beyond
- Incurred an eligible expense related to the coronavirus pandemic.
SHU will prioritize funds to students with exceptional need, through the use of a valid FAFSA on file with SHU. If you have not completed a FAFSA, you can still do so online. If you are an international, DACA or undocumented student and are not eligible to complete a FAFSA, an alternate need assessment is available.
It is important for you to read through all the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before submitting an application. The FAQs provide essential information and instructions. If you have questions on any part of this application process, please submit those questions to CaresActContactUs@sacredheart.edu.
Students may elect to apply their HEERF II grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF II application. This includes applying their HEERF II grant to charges posted to their student account after March 13, 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The emergency grant is not considered financial aid or a loan. You will not need to repay the funds. However, in certain cases this may be included in the IRS Tax Document 2021 1098-T, Box 1.
Since CRRSAA expanded eligibility for grants to any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that may have arisen due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care, a student may apply for assistance that includes a balance due. Students may also elect to apply their HEERF II grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF II application. This includes applying their HEERF II grant to charges posted to their student account after March 13, 2020.
Your relief funding will be sent to your direct deposit refund preference as defined with Bank Mobile (review your preference online at www.refundselection.com). Students also may elect to apply their HEERF II grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF II application.
No. However, you must certify that the reported expenses are true and accurate. The committee reserves the right to request documentation on a case-by-case basis to substantiate a request.
Eligible expenses are those expenses related to any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that may have arisen due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Normal living expenses are not eligible. It is also important to note this funding opportunity is not intended to replace lost income due to job furloughs or layoffs.
All Title IV-eligible, degree-seeking undergraduate students with a Federal Total Family Contribution (TFC) up to 11,422 (two times a maximum Pell Eligible TFC) resulting from students’ 2020-2021 FAFSA on record and enrolled for the spring 2021 semester will receive grants of $600 -$800. No further action or application required.
Additional funds will be available through an Emergency Grant Application process for students who have a valid FAFSA on file. Since Sacred Heart University is committed to providing assistance to as many students as possible, amounts may be limited and will vary based each student’s particular socioeconomic circumstances. We will consider expected family contribution (EFC), amount requested, demonstrated financial need and available funds.
Yes. Because of the recent federal final ruling, you are eligible for emergency financial aid grants if you have extraordinary financial circumstances resulting from the pandemic and meet the noted enrollment requirement. If you have qualified expenses, complete the Emergency Grant Application. If you do not have a valid FAFSA on file, you will be asked to provide documentation as to your family’s financial circumstances.
Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Education, SHU’s online students are eligible for CRRSAA HEERF II emergency grants. If you have qualified expenses, complete the Emergency Grant Application, have a valid FAFSA on file and meet the noted enrollment requirement.
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility criteria as stated in the answer to the previous question.
Any enrolled student on or after March 13, 2020, who has expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic is eligible. CRRSAA HEERF II Grants, per guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, will give priority to those with exceptional need. SHU will determine need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Therefore, students with a valid FAFSA and expenses related to the pandemic are encouraged to apply. Students who have not yet filed a FAFSA can still do so online. Please note, if you are an international, DACA or undocumented student and are NOT able to complete a FAFSA, the University will evaluate extraordinary financial circumstances on a case-by-case basis with alternate documentation.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive notification of approval for funding via e-mail within 7 to 14 business days from submission of a complete application.
You are not required to be a financial aid recipient to receive a HEERF II Grant; however, you will need to have COVID-19 eligible expenses. SHU will prioritize funding to students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
These funds are available regardless of whether or not you have applied for or received a CARES Act HEERF I Emergency Grant. However, you should only apply for additional grant funds if your expenses exceed the amount of grant you have already received.
If you were enrolled at SHU on or after March 13, 2020, and have coronavirus eligible expenses, you may submit an Emergency Application.
If you were enrolled at SHU on or after March 13, 2020, and have COVID-19 eligible expenses, you may submit an Emergency Application.