HEERF II Funds
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, Elmhurst University has been authorized to distribute emergency cash grants to students as part of the funding allocated in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II).
The University has accepted this supplemental funding from the Department of Education assuring to use no less than $1,660,323 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Elmhurst is also electing to use a portion of the Institutional Funding provided under this act to allow for an increase in the individual amounts granted to each student.
Note: This page is dedicated to the new funding (HEERF II) established by the CRRSAA. Information pertaining to the CARES Act can be found on our CARES Act Emergency Grants page.
The University has established a committee to facilitate the distribution of this emergency funding while adhering to the regulations established by the Department of Education. The University intends to distribute the majority of this funding as quickly as possible in order to provide maximum benefit to the students impacted by COVID-19.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III ending March 31, 2021 [PDF]
- Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III ending June 30, 2021 [PDF]
- Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III ending September 30, 2021 [PDF]
- Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III ending December 31, 2021 [PDF]
CRRSSA Student Distribution Data
| Reporting Date | Grant Funds Distributed | Number of Students Receiving Funds |
|---|---|---|
| 4/10/2021 | $1,969,400.00 | 3,116 |
| 7/10/2021 | $1,969,400.00 | 3,116 |
| 10/10/2021 | $1,959,950.00 | 3,093 |
| 1/10/2022 | $1,959,550.00 | 3,091 |
| Number of Eligible Students: 3,116 | ||
Eligibility Requirements
The student must:
- Be an enrolled student at Elmhurst University as of February 12, 2021.
- Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen (due to the 1996 welfare reform law—the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, P.L. 104-193).
Additionally, a student’s 2020-21 FAFSA EFC and Spring ’21 academic level will be considered in determining eligibility amounts for students meeting the above criteria. We are required by the program to prioritize students who demonstrate exceptional need, as determined by EFC.
Definition of a Qualified Use of Funds
The emergency funds distributed by Elmhurst University as part of financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of the 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.
FAQ
No. Students meeting the above eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for the emergency funds.
CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. Therefore, we must have a 2020-21 FAFSA on file to determine group level and properly prioritize students.
Eligibility is based on guidance from the Department of Education. Unlike CARES, CRRSAA expanded the number of eligible students to include distance learners, as well as students not enrolled in degree programs. However, due to other federal regulations, students must be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
We want to consider your special circumstance as it relates to your 2020-21 or 2021-22 FAFSA (if applicable). If you, a spouse, or a parent experienced job loss, or wage or savings reduction associated with the economic impact of the coronavirus, it is recommended that you contact the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss the details of your situation. It may be an option to request a Special Circumstances appeal to determine if you are eligible for additional federal funds.
Yes, unlike the CARES act, the CRRSSA (HEERF II) allows for these funds to be applied to your student account to offset and cost of attendance items (Tuition, Housing, Etc.). Elmhurst University sent out an election form to all eligible students on February 23rd, 2021 asking students to provide affirmative consent to use the funds as a statement credit on their student account. The window for that election closed on March 2nd, and anyone that did not make an election will receive funds directly via ACH or check. If you wish to use the funding to pay toward your student account once you receive your funds, that is an allowable expense.
At this time, Elmhurst University does not require students to provide any information as it relates to the receipt or usage of these emergency funds.
Students meeting the above eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for the emergency funds. Additionally, a student’s 2020-21 FAFSA EFC and Spring 21 academic level was considered in determining eligibility amounts for students meeting the above criteria.
| EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) & Enrollment Level Groups | Amount |
|---|---|
| 01 - Full-Time Undergraduate students receiving Pell in 2020-21 | $1,200 |
| 02 - Part-Time Undergraduate students receiving Pell in 2020-21 | $1,200 |
| 03 - Undergraduate students with a 2020-21 FAFSA , not receiving Pell, and with EFC of $0-$9,999 | $750 |
| 04 - Undergraduate students with a 2020-21 with EFC of $10,000-$14,999 | $500 |
| 05 - Undergraduate students with a 2020-21 with EFC of $15,000-$19,999 | $350 |
| 06 - Undergraduate students with a 2020-21 with EFC $20,000 or above | $250 |
| 07 - Full-Time Graduate students with a 2020-21 FAFSA | $500 |
| 08 - Part-Time Graduate students with a 2020-21 FAFSA | $500 |
| 09 - Full-Time Undergraduate students without a 2020-21 FAFSA | $250 |
| 10 - Part-Time Undergraduate students without a 2020-21 FAFSA | $250 |
| 11 - Full-Time Graduate students without a 2020-21FAFSA | $250 |
| 12 - Part-Time Graduate students without a 2020-21 FAFSA | $250 |
| 13 - Less-Than-Half-Time Undergraduate students | $250 |
| 14 - Less-Than-Half-Time Graduate students | $250 |
| 15 - Students enrolled in Non-Degree programs | $250 |
No, these funds are considered to be emergency grant awards and do not need to be repaid to the federal government or the University.
No, students who receive these funds are not required to record or track how it is spent.
The University is not holding back funds for this purpose. We will release our entire allotment to students as promptly as possible. If you need additional assistance, please reach out to the Office of Student Affairs and inquire about the Bluejay Nest Fund.
Elmhurst University will begin distributing money to eligible students once we confirm receipt from the Department of Education. Funds will either be applied to the student’s account as a credit, if they elected that option, or issued as a direct refund via ACH to those who have a refund account set up on TouchNet or via check mailed to your permanent address on file at the time of issue. Time may vary depending on your situation.
Yes, unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSSA (HEERF II) allows for these funds to be applied to your student account to offset and cost of attendance items (Tuition, Housing, etc.). Elmhurst University sent out an election form to all eligible students on February 23, 2021, asking students to provide affirmative consent to use the funds as a statement credit on their student account. The window for that election closed on March 2, and anyone that did not make an election will receive a refund directly via ACH or check. If you wish to use the funding to pay toward your student account once you receive your refund, that is an allowable expense.
You can make a payment on your outstanding balance at any time in TouchNet.
Please contact heerf@elmhurst.edu for any and all questions about the HEERF II (CRRSSA) emergency funds.