CRRSAA Funds for Students

Higher Education Emergency Relief funds distribution to students

To: University Community
From: Kevin Dyerly, Vice President of Finance, and Emily Baker, Senior Director of Student Financial and Military and Veteran Services
Subject: Higher Education Emergency Relief funds distribution to students
Date: June 10, 2021

The University of Redlands has received three rounds of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the federal government. These funds have been granted through: the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by the U.S. Congress on March 27, 2020; the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020; and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) signed into law on March 11, 2021.
 
To date, the University has awarded students $2.3 million from these funds. Distributions of CARES and CRRSAA funds through the application process have supported students with technology (58%), living expenses (25%), student account balances (11%), travel (5%), and other expenses (2%).
 
U of R is now allocating its remaining CRRSAA funds to our students with the greatest financial need.

Undergraduate Students

Living on Campus

Students with the greatest financial need who transitioned back to campus mid-year will receive money to cover costs associated with their move and the interruption of access to University facilities. Pell Grant recipients will receive $1,100; those who are not Pell Grant-eligible but have demonstrated financial need of $30,000 or more will receive $550. No application is required; a check will be sent to the home address on record beginning the week of June 7.

Other Pell Grant Recipients

Pell Grant recipients from both the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Business who are not living in the residence halls or using the dining facilities will receive $550 to cover accommodations to help continue their education (such as improved hardware or software at home, access to the internet, video supplies, space, or other provisions). No application is required; a check will be sent to the home address on record beginning the week of June 7.

Graduate and Credential Students

Graduate and teaching-credential students enrolled for the spring and summer terms with expected family contributions (EFC) of less than $5,711 (the EFC cutoff used to determine Pell eligibility for undergraduate students) will receive $550 to cover accommodations to help continue their education (such as improved hardware or software at home, access to the internet, video supplies, space, or other provisions). No application is required; a check will be sent to the home address on record beginning the week of June 7.

Other Students with Financial Hardship

We recognize that any student, regardless of their degree program or previously demonstrated financial need, may have additional expenses and financial need that qualify for relief funds. Any student experiencing financial hardship may apply for funds through our simple application process. To apply, please visit the Emergency Fund Application.
 
Applications for relief funds will continue to be accepted throughout the summer and fall of 2021 and reviewed based on the established criteria for American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. For more information about the American Rescue Plan and the third round of stimulus funding, please review our ARP FAQs.
 

If you have questions about stimulus act funding, please email sfs@redlands.edu.

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

To: University Community
From: Kevin Dyerly, Vice President of Finance, and Emily Baker, Senior Director of Student Financial and Military and Veteran Services
Date: March 2, 2021

We are pleased to announce that University of Redlands has received funding to assist students through the Coronavirus Relief and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.  We are writing today to provide guidance on the use of these funds and how students can request support.

CRRSAA specifies that a portion of the disbursed funds should be used to assist students with “emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.” Legislation limits eligibility for funds only to students eligible to receive federal financial aid, excluding assistance to non-U.S. citizens.  However, just as we did with CARES Act, the University will use its own funds to pay the same level of aid to all eligible students as outlined below.

CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students.  Eligible expenses for CRRSAA funding include tuition, technology, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. In order to honor these requirements and provide support to our students, we have established a quick application process for students to request CRRSAA funding. 

If you are a student experiencing financial hardship caused by coronavirus, please consider submitting an application for funding at www.redlands.edu/crrsaa.

For any questions or concerns regarding your financial aid, student account, or CRRSAA funding, please contact Student Financial Services at SFS@redlands.edu or 909-748-8047.

CRRSAA FAQs

 

What is CRRSAA?

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. CRRSAA authorized a second round of Higher Education Relief Funds for educational institutions. Each institution of higher education was provided a unique allocation of funding for its students. Guidance directly from the Department of Education can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html.

When will CRRSAA funds be available?

CRRSAA funds are available now through our application process.  To be considered for CRRSAA funding, students may complete the online application for funding at the link above.  Students who submit an eligible application will be notified within three weeks of the application date.

Who is eligible for CRRSAA funding?

Legislation limits eligibility for funds only to students eligible to receive federal financial aid, excluding assistance to non-U.S. citizens.  However, just as we did with CARES Act, the University will use its own funds to pay the same level of aid to all eligible students as outlined below.

CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students.  Eligible expenses for CRRSAA funding include tuition, technology, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. In order to honor these requirements and provide support to our students, we have established a quick application process for students to request CRRSAA funding.

What are eligible expenses for CRRSAA funding?

CRRSAA funds can be used to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.  Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health care), and child care.

Who will be given CRRSAA funding?

All students who apply for assistance through the CRRSAA Emergency Fund Application will be reviewed for funding eligibility.  CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students.

CRRSAA HEERF Reporting

The following information is provided by University of Redlands as required by the Department of Education (ED) in order to comply with the reporting requirements under the CRRSA Act (HEERF II).

Quarterly Report: 07/01/2021 – Final Quarterly Report

  1. On April 9, 2020, University of Redlands signed and returned to ED the CARES HEERF Certification and Agreement and established a policy to provide the mandated amount of no less than 50% of the initial emergency financial aid grants to students. On January 18, 2021, University of Redlands received the Grant Award Notification for the second allocation of HEERF funding through the CRRSA Act and established a policy to provide the mandated allocation of emergency financial aid grants to students.
  2. Pursuant to the Certification and Agreement and second Grant Award Notification, the University of Redlands is eligible to receive up to $1,694,010 in HEERF II Student Share Grant Funds.
  3. Total amount of funds distributed to students as of report date: - 07/01/2021: $1,694,010
  4. As of the Summer 2021 academic term, the University estimates that approximately 4500 students may be eligible for the HEERF II Student Share Grant Funds.
  5. Total Number of students who have received a CRRSAA HEERF emergency financial aid grant: - 07/01/2021: 1976
  6. Information on how the institution determined which students have received and can receive emergency financial aid grants is found in the above Distribution of CRRSA Act Funding to Students Memos.
  7. The campus community was notified of the process for distribution of the HEERF student portion on March 2, 2021 and June 10, 2021 via the above Higher Education Emergency Relief funds distribution to students Memo. Students who complete the application process are notified via their University of Redlands email regarding the outcome of their application.