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CARES Act Funding Interim Report
HEERF Quarterly Reports (Institutional Relief/SIP)
WHAT IS THE HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is federal legislation (CARES, CRRSAA, and ARPA) that provides colleges and universities funding to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations and offers support for higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each school is allocated a certain amount, and it is up to each institution to determine how to best distribute the funding to students in need. The funds must be given to students unencumbered, and students can use the funds in any way they wish to help with hardships incurred due to COVID-19.
The University acknowledges that the CARES Act funding Certification and Agreement was signed and returned to the Department of Education on April 16, 2020, and the University assures that it has used, or intends to use, no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
The University received CRRSAA allocations for student emergency grants and institutional support on January 17, 2021, and an additional allocation under the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) on March 8, 2021.
The University anticipates receiving additional HEERF funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.
HOW MUCH FUNDING HAS UCA RECEIVED?
As of April 29, 2021, the University has been allocated a total of approximately $26.2 million in HEERF funding through CARES (March 2020) and CRRSAA (December 2020). This includes:
- Approximately $9.6 million (HEERF Student Grants) reserved for emergency grants to meet student needs (e.g., housing, meal plans, technology, course materials, etc.) during this public health emergency;
- Approximately $16.58 million (HEERF Institutional/SIP) for institutional support for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lost revenue resulting from disruptions to University operations. This includes SIP allocations under both CARES and CRRSAA; and,
- Approximately $977,000 (not included in above total) as part of the $28.2 million allocated to institutions of higher education from the Arkansas CARES Act fund. This may be used for expenses related to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and related supplies.
HOW HAS UCA DETERMINED WHICH STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING?
We have used several indicators to identify the students who have the greatest need and had or may have had expenses as a result of disruptions resulting from COVID-19. These include:
- Students who were carrying a balance from the spring 2020 semester;
- Students who received a Pell grant or other federal financial aid in the spring 2020 semester;
- Students who were taking a UCA course(s) during a summer 2020 term(s);
- Students who have unmet need and are receiving a Pell grant in the fall 2020 semester;
- Students, based on EFC, who are enrolled at least half-time in the fall 2020 semester, have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file, and have been awarded federal financial aid for the fall 2020 semester;
- Students who completed an application for assistance through the Student Emergency Fund seeking assistance with eligible expenses;
- Students who completed a Technology Assistance Program application through the Student Support and Resource Center; and
- Students who were taking a UCA course(s) during the Spring 2021 semester.
HOW MANY UCA STUDENTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE HEERF FUNDING?
Based on U.S. Department of Education guidance, the University estimates there were:
- 7,384 UCA students eligible to receive a HEERF (CARES) student emergency grant in the Spring 2020 semester; and,
- 7,226 UCA students eligible to receive a HEERF (CARES) student emergency grant in the Fall 2020 semester.
- 8,483 UCA students eligible to receive a HEERF (CRRSAA) student emergency grant in the Spring 2021 semester.
HOW HAS UCA DISBURSED HEERF FUNDING TO STUDENTS?
The U.S. Department of Education publishes guidance regarding what criteria students must meet to be considered eligible for HEERF emergency grants.
Below is a summary of how the University has distributed HEERF (CARES, CRRSAA) emergency grants to UCA students. At the bottom of the page are campus-wide notifications and examples of notifications to specific students regarding the intended use and/or distribution of student emergency grants through the University’s HEERF allocation.
- Spring CARES grant – eligible students who were carrying a balance from the Spring 2020 semester each received a $600 grant.
- Summer CARES grant – eligible students who were among the first 4,000 total to enroll in a minimum of one three credit-hour course in a UCA Summer 2020 session received a $600 grant.
- Student Emergency Fund (SEF) grants – eligible students who applied for assistance with covered expenses through the SEF and were approved received assistance through CARES Act funding. Amounts varied per student based on the nature of the request.
- Technology Grants – eligible students were or will be awarded $400 to assist with the expense(s) associated with purchasing a laptop, internet access, or other technology as a result of the transition to online instruction in the Spring 2020 semester and continuation of hybrid and online instruction in the Summer and Fall 2020 semesters. This has consisted of multiple rounds of funding as described below.
- Round 1 – eligible students who received a Pell grant in the Spring 2020 semester.
- Round 2 – eligible students who received other federal student aid (e.g., SEOG, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan, etc.) in the Spring 2020 semester.
- Round 3 – eligible students who, as of September 4, 2020, were:
- admitted for the Summer or Fall 2020 semester;
- enrolled full-time in the Fall 2020 semester;
- awarded a Pell grant for the Fall 2020 semester; and,
- identified as having unmet need per Financial Aid.
- Round 4 – eligible students who, as of October 7, 2020, were:
- admitted for the Summer or Fall 2020 semester;
- enrolled at least half-time in the Fall 2020 semester;
- awarded a Pell grant for the Fall 2020 semester; and,
- identified as having unmet need per Financial Aid.
- Hotspot – eligible students who:
- applied for technology-related assistance through the Technology Assistance Program administered through the Student Support and Resource Center;
- were enrolled in the Fall 2020 semester.
- Round 5 – eligible students based on EFC, who, as of October 29, 2020:
- were enrolled in the Spring 2020 semester;
- were enrolled at least half-time in the Fall 2020 semester;
- had a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file; and,
- had been awarded federal student aid for the Fall 2020 semester; and,
- CRRSAA Spring 2021 Grant – eligible students, who, as of January 25, 2021, were enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester.
HOW MUCH HEERF FUNDING HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO UCA STUDENTS?
As of April 29, 2021, the University has distributed a total of $9,638,105 in HEERF emergency grants to 10,630 UCA students (unduplicated).
As of this date, the University has expended its entire HEERF student grant allocation (CARES & CRRSAA) with amounts distributed as shown below.
Please note the below student figures reflect individual students for each reporting period and therefore do not equal the total unduplicated figure cited above as some students received funding in multiple periods.
A total of $4,639,195 in HEERF (CARES) grants were distributed to 6,661 UCA students through September 30, 2020.
A total of $163,600 in HEERF (CARES) grants were distributed to 409 UCA students from October 1, 2020, through November 18, 2020.
A total of $4,835,310 in HEERF (CRRSAA) grants were distributed to 8,483 UCA students in February 2021.
ARE STUDENTS REQUIRED TO SPEND THE MONEY ON CERTAIN THINGS?
How students use the funding is completely up to them. While UCA has identified several possible uses of the money, the funds are unencumbered and students may use the funding however they wish.
Depending on the program, students may receive the funds in a direct disbursement (direct deposit or paper check) or have the opportunity to either apply the funds to their existing UCA account balance or request a direct deposit or paper check.
WHAT INFORMATION HAS THE UNIVERSITY PROVIDED REGARDING HEERF EMERGENCY GRANTS?
Please find below copies of notifications sent to either the campus or specific students regarding the intended and/or distribution of emergency grants funded through the University’s HEERF allocation.
CRRSAA Citizenship Status Reminder Notification
CRRSAA Citizenship Status Notification
CRRSAA Notification of Funding
Spring CARES Disbursement Notification
Summer Grant ineligible notification
COVID-19 Update: April 24, 2020