CRRSAA
Colorado College’s Report on Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
Report Date – March 31, 2021
Revised July 7, 2022
This constitutes Colorado College’s first and final report on the HEERF II (CRRSAA) funding awarded to the College in support of Student Aid.
Introduction
On December 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II), found in Section 314 of the CRRSAA Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.” Institutions of higher education were allocated funding for three purposes: “to defray expenses associated with the coronavirus,” “carry out student support activities … that address needs related to the coronavirus,” and “provide financial aid grants to students… which may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus ….” The legislation noted, “In making financial aid grants to students, an institution of higher education shall prioritize grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.” This report details Colorado College’s (CC) use of funding from its HEERF II award, no less than fifty percent of the funds in the form of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification
As a previous recipient of the CARES Act (HEERF I) funds awarded in April 2020, Colorado College was not required to sign new documentation for CRSSAA (HEERF II) funding.
Total Award
Colorado College received a total allocation of $1,638,010 under the HEERF II formula. In accordance with the Act requirements, at least $578,696 - the same amount as the original CARES Act (HEERF I) allocation - was to be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the coronavirus.
Funds Distributed to Date
As of March 31, 2021, Colorado College has distributed all $578,696 in HEERF II funding directly to students.
Student Eligibility
According to guidance issued by the Department of Education as part of a “Frequently Asked Questions” document available on the DoED’s HEERF II page (Student Aid Portion): “Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants. In addition, the CRRSAA explicitly provides that financial aid grants to students may be provided to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.”
The guidance on eligibility for the HEERF I funding was as follows: “Only students 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 receive 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.” There was no practical change to the guidance for HEERF II.
We have determined that 949 Colorado College students, having filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), are proven eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314 of the CRRSAA Act. We have determined that, based on our documentation, 462 more students are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314 of the CRRSAA Act due to their being US citizens, being in receipt of a social security number and being eligible to work; they simply have not yet filed a FAFSA. Total number of eligible Colorado College students: 1,411
As of March 31, 2021, 692 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF II (Section 314 of the CRRSAA Act).
Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much
Colorado College used the following method to determine grant funding:
In order to disburse funds quickly for the benefit of our students, Colorado College chose to use a formula that would allow any U.S.-citizen student receiving need-based aid to benefit based on their level of need. The College has a total of six levels of financial need. There were three levels for check amounts, with Pell-eligible students (Need Level One) and Need Level Two students received the highest amount, Need Level Three and Four receiving a stepped-down amount, and Need Level Five and Six received a further reduced amount.
All eligible students had to be enrolled in Block 6, 7, or 8 of the 20-21 academic year.
Instructions or Directions Given to Students
CC notified and provided instructions, directions, and guidance to its students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants through email. Emails were sent to all students, regardless of their eligibility, to notify them of financial support. All college-issued emails related to coronavirus disruptions are posted to the COVID-19 Message Archive section of the Coronavirus webpage after being sent.