HEERF II (CRRSAA) Student Emergency Grant
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund ll (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) signed into law on December 27, 2020. The Student Portion of CRRSAA authorizes colleges to award emergency grants to eligible students that can be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
SUNY New Paltz received Student Aid funding under the CRRSAA section 314(a)(1) program. This program, with some changes, provides supplemental funds to the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. SUNY New Paltz signed and returned to the Education Department a Certification and Agreement as required under the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. We acknowledge that by drawing down the CRRSAA Student Aid Funds, our institution agrees to be bound by the conditions set forth in the CRRSAA Student Aid Supplemental Agreement including using 100 percent of these Student Aid Funds to provide emergency aid grants to students.
SUNY New Paltz was allocated $3,268,704 in CRRSAA funds for the purpose of providing HEERF ll financial aid grants to students.
An estimated 4,993 students enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester met the basic eligibility requirements for HEERF ll consideration.
Eligibility
Students need to be matriculated and registered for coursework as of the census date of the Spring 2021 semester to be considered for HEERF ll grants.
Students do not need to meet all criteria for receiving Title lV financial aid to receive a grant, however they must satisfy the criteria necessary to generate a FAFSA with a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number and have submitted any requested documents needed for the calculation of a final, valid EFC number at the time of disbursement.
Allowable expenses
HEERF ll grants may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19 including:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health care)
- Child care
Application
No application is required for receipt of HEERF ll grants. Eligible students will be notified of their awards via campus email.
Award Determination
CRRSAA regulations require that colleges prioritize grants to students with exceptional need. The campus HEERF ll distribution plan was developed in accordance with federal guidance as well as SUNY guidance provided to all SUNY campuses that prioritized eligible students with Pell eligible EFC’s. The amount of the grant was determined by the EFC and enrollment level. For the purpose of HEERF ll distribution, SUNY has defined graduate students as full time with registration of at least 9 credits, while undergraduates are defined as full time with registration of at least 12 credits. The chart below shows the awards for each level:
|
|
|
Undergraduates |
|
Graduates |
|
|
|
|
Full Time |
Part Time |
Full Time |
Part Time |
|
Level |
EFC Range |
>= 12 credits |
< 12 credits |
>=9 credits |
<9 credits |
|
Level 1 |
0-1,500 |
1,444.00 |
1,083.00 |
1,444.00 |
1,083.00 |
|
Level 2 |
1,501 – 2,900 |
1,263.50 |
902.50 |
1,263.50 |
902.50 |
|
Level 3 |
2,901 – 4,300 |
1,083.00 |
722.00 |
1,083.00 |
722.00 |
|
Level 4 |
4,301 – 5,711 |
902.50 |
541.50 |
902.50 |
541.50 |
The amounts for each cell were calculated according to a formula and template provided by SUNY. The formula allows for a base award to eligible students along with an additional amount depending on the EFC range. This method resulted in the distribution of $3,226,437.50 to 2,433 Pell eligible students. The remaining $42,266.50 was disbursed to 166 students with EFC’s between 5,712 and 7,000. Award amounts were $266 if full time and $176 if part time.
Award Distribution
Eligible students who have set up a direct deposit profile will receive their funds electronically. All other eligible students will have a paper check mailed to the permanent address on file with Records and Registration. Student with outstanding balances owed to the school will receive instructions on how to use the HEERF ll funds to pay all or some of their balance. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Office of Student Accounts if they did not have pandemic related expenses that were equal or greater than the amount of their grant.
Repayment/Impact on Financial Aid
Federal HEERF Grants do not need to be repaid and have no impact on student financial aid packages as they are not considered to be financial aid.
Questions
Questions regarding HEERF ll Grants available through the CRRSA Act may be submitted to covid19questions@newpaltz.edu.
Federal Disclosures
First Quarterly Report
As of March 31, 2021 SUNY New Paltz distributed$0 in HEERF ll Grants.
Second/Final Quarterly Report
Since March 31, 2021 SUNY New Paltz has distributed $3,268,704 in HEERF ll funds to 2,599 students.
As of June 30, 2021, SUNY New Paltz distributed $3,268,704 in HEERF ll Grants to 2,599 students.
This is the final quarterly report covering all HEERF ll funds available under the CRRSA Act.
