HEERF-II CRRSAA Quarterly Report: Quarter Ending March 31, 2022
The U.S. Department of Education requires the following information related to “CRRSAA Emergency Aid to Students” to be posted on our university website. This report will be updated quarterly.
HEERF-II CRRSAA Quarterly Report: Quarter Ending March 31, 2022
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
- The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, to provide funding to institutions for emergency grants to students.
- The University of Massachusetts Lowell received $4,450,161 in HEERF-II CRRSAA funding by the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 16, 2020. The university’s CRRSAA funding became available on January 17, 2021.
- The university assures that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 100 percent of the funds distributed to students under Section 314(1)(a) of the CRRSAA Act ($4,450,161) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- General information about the CRRSAA Act funding for higher education is available on the Office of Postsecondary Education website.
- $4,450,161: The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA program.
- $4,450,161: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA program as of the date of the submission.
- 10,590: The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA program.
- 4,229: The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA program.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA program:
Spring 2021 Distribution:
The University of Massachusetts Lowell opened an online application process for eligible students to apply for CRRSAA Act Student Emergency Aid in March 2021. The university will provide additional application periods as available funding continues.
Eligible students included:
- Have a valid 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university.
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen as determined by FAFSA.
- Have an FAFSA Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $12,500.
- Be enrolled in a degree-granting program during Spring 2021.
- Be registered for at least 9 credits of coursework during Spring 2021.
- Students required to complete online application to be considered for funds.
Spring 2021 Award Amounts:
Pell Eligible students received $1,000.
- Non-Pell Eligible students received $750.
Spring 2022 Distribution:
In accordance with federal guidelines and recommendations, the university will prioritize undergraduate students with exceptional need. HEERF emergency funds may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, books and supplies, health care, and child care), or for emergency costs due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare, mental healthcare, and child care.
The university will award ARP funds plus any remaining HEERF-I & HEERF-II student portion funds as described below.
Eligible students include:
- Have a valid 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university (link to FAFSA).
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen as determined by FAFSA.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program during Spring 2022.
- Be registered for at least 6 credits of coursework during Spring 2022.
Awards and Distribution:
The university will prioritize students with exceptional need using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by FAFSA to determine award amount as follows:
| Estimated Family Contribution | Award Value |
|---|---|
| $0 - $5,846 | $1,350 |
| $5,847 - $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $10,001 - $15,000 | $750 |
| $15,001 - $20,000 | $500 |
| $20,001 - $24,000 | $250 |
| $24,001+ | - |
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants:
Spring 2021 Distribution:
An email was sent to eligible students on March 23, 2021, explaining the eligibility requirements and application process to request funds. The e-mail also directed students to the university’s HEERF-II CRRSAA website.
Spring 2022 Distribution:
The university created an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for HEERF Student Emergency Grant.
This and other information is posted on the university's HEERF-III American Rescue Plan (ARP) Student Emergency Grant website, and provided to HEERF recipients via email.