CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP Act Funding

CARES Act Funding Update | March 31, 2022

As of 3/31/2022, the University awarded $1,680,060 in grants to 566 students under the ARP funding. Rivier University awarded 100% of eligible students.

CARES Act Funding Update | July 10, 2021

Rivier University signed and returned the CARES Act Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education on 4/13/20. The University used 100% of the student portion of these funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Higher Education Emergency Financial Grants to students.  As a recipient of CARES Act funding, the University is eligible for additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

Rivier University received $451,361 to provide Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds under CRRSAA “to the students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education) which may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.”  The Department of Education (ED) stated that only students who filed the FAFSA or were eligible to file a FAFSA could receive them. ED also determined that international students were not eligible.

These funds were disbursed to undergraduate Pell-eligible EFC students (0-5576) who were enrolled in the Spring 2021 term and received a Pell grant fund distribution. The balance of the HEERF funds will be used to further supplement those who have documented expenses above the grant amount. This group of Pell-eligible students received a $920 grant.  Funds were posted to their student accounts on 4/07/21 and refunded to those without outstanding balances at that time.

Students with outstanding balances were provided the option of receiving the funds directly or having the funds applied directly to their account and were required to respond within seven days.  Those who did not respond had the funds disbursed directly to them.

This distribution strategy adheres to the wishes of the Department by allocating funds to the neediest students.  Students who have expenses that exceed the flat grant amount or did not meet the Pell-eligible criteria were informed of an application to be considered for a HEERF grant.  Applicants are required to explain the need for COVID-related emergency funding and provide supporting documentation of the related expenses. Students were informed that they may not be reimbursed for all of the incurred expenses. Students approved through the application process received a $920 grant.

As of 7/10/21, the University awarded $406,361 in grants to 439 students under the CRRSAA funding. Rivier University has awarded 100% of its eligible students.

The University received $1,680,054 to provide Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds under ARP with a requirement to “prioritize students with exceptional need.”  The Department of Education’s rule on student eligibility for HEERF states “students who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for emergency financial aid grants, regardless of whether they completed a FASFA or are eligible for Title IV.”

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2023

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | December 31, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | December 31, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | September 30, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | September 30, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2022 (Revised April 19, 2022) (PDF)

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | January 10, 2022

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | January 10, 2022 (PDF)

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | September 30, 2021

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | September 30, 2021 (PDF)

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2021

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | June 30, 2021 (PDF)

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2021

HEERF Quarterly Reporting | March 31, 2021 (PDF)

CARES Act Funding Update | October 30, 2020

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting (PDF)

CARES Act Funding Update | September 30, 2020

There is no new information to report regarding the CARES Act as it pertains to student awards.

CARES Act Funding Update | August 24, 2020

There is no new information to report regarding the CARES Act as it pertains to student awards.

CARES Act Funding Update | July 10, 2020

Rivier University signed and returned the CARES Act Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education on 4/13/20. The University intends to use 100% of the student portion of these funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) under the CARES Act to provide Higher Education Emergency Financial Grants to students.

Rivier University has received $451,361 to provide Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds “directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.” The Department of Education (ED) stated that only students who filed the FAFSA or were eligible to file a FAFSA could receive them. ED also determined that online-only students and international students were not eligible.

Three eligibility groups were created. The first includes Pell-eligible EFC students (0-5576). The second group captures students who would qualify for institutional need-based funding using our 2020-21 awarding strategy. The 2019-20 awarding cap for need-based aid did not include the range of students the University wished to assist. The third group consists of students with EFCs from 23,000 and above. The balance of the HEERF funds will be used to further supplement those who have documented expenses above the grant amount. The first group received a $500 grant, the second group received a $300 grant and the third group received a $200 grant. On 5/11/20, an email was sent to eligible students explaining our awarding strategy. Funds were posted to their student accounts on 5/13/20 and refunded at that time.

This distribution strategy adheres to the wishes of the Department by allocating more funding to lower-income students as they cannot as easily absorb expenses as those in the other two groups might be able to. Students who have expenses that exceed the flat grant amounts were informed as to how they could receive an application to complete. They are required to provide documentation of these expenses. Students were informed that they may not be reimbursed for all of the incurred expenses.

Update: Roughly 9.45% remains of the funding and has been set aside for students who are late FAFSA-filers, have expenses above the set grant amount, and for students who have graduated, but were enrolled in spring of 2020. We are waiting on further guidance from the Department to determine if their intent was specifically to exclude these students.  As of this date, no further guidance has been issued.

On 6/23/20, the University made the decision to award an additional $100 to recipients in order to further assist students.  Refunds were issued on that day.

Based on updated guidance from the Department of Education that HEERF funds could now be awarded to graduated students who were enrolled in spring 2020, the remaining $42,661 was then awarded to 234 qualified students.

As of 7/10/20, The University has awarded $451,361 in grants to 1,137 students. Rivier University has awarded 100% of its eligible students.

CARES Act Funding Update | May 26, 2020

Rivier University signed and returned the CARES Act Certification and Agreement to the Department of Education on 4/13/20. The University intends to use 100% of the student portion of these funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) under the CARES Act to provide Higher Education Emergency Financial Grants to students.

Rivier University has received $451,361 to provide Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds “directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.” The Department of Education (ED) stated that only students who filed the FAFSA or were eligible to file a FAFSA could receive them. ED also determined that online-only students and international students were not eligible.

Three eligibility groups were created. The first includes Pell-eligible EFC students (0-5576). The second group captures students who would qualify for institutional need-based funding using our 2020-21 awarding strategy. The 2019-20 awarding cap for need-based aid did not include the range of students the University wished to assist. The third group consists of students with EFCs from 23,000 and above. The balance of the HEERF funds will be used to further supplement those who have documented expenses above the grant amount. The first group received a $500 grant, the second group received a $300 grant and the third group received a $200 grant. On 5/11/20, an email was sent to eligible students explaining our awarding strategy. Funds were posted to their student accounts on 5/13/20 and refunded at that time.

This distribution strategy adheres to the wishes of the Department by allocating more funding to lower-income students as they cannot as easily absorb expenses as those in the other two groups might be able to. Students who have expenses that exceed the flat grant amounts were informed as to how they could receive an application to complete. They are required to provide documentation of these expenses. Students were informed that they may not be reimbursed for all of the incurred expenses.

Roughly 10% of the funding has been set aside for students who are late FAFSA-filers, have expenses above the set grant amount and for students who have graduated, but were enrolled in spring of 2020. We are waiting on further guidance from the Department to determine if their intent was specifically to exclude these students.

As of 5/25/20, The University has awarded $309,100 in grants to 879 students. Rivier University has awarded 100% of its eligible students.

Frequently Asked Questions | May 26, 2020

CARES Act Funding | April 2020

This CARES Act provides emergency grants directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

The Department of Education has determined the conditions under which Rivier University can award these funds and has stated that funds may be used for expenses incurred because of the “disruption in campus operations.” These funds have been allocated in consideration of each student’s Pell Grant eligibility and Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by their FAFSA for the current academic year. Students have been placed in three groups according to their EFC and will receive a set amount.  If you have documented expenses above the amount you receive, please contact us at caresact@rvier.edu. We will send you a separate application; documentation of the expense(s) must be submitted with the application.  Funds will be awarded until spent.

Please note, the Department of Education has stipulated the following:

• Only students who filed the FAFSA or are eligible to file a FAFSA (meaning eligible to receive federal student aid) may receive these funds
• Students enrolled in programs fully online (excluding students who had to switch to online courses because of the campus closure), DACA and international students are not eligible

The following list is not exhaustive, but rather a guide to help you determine if you have expenses similar to those in the specified categories on the application.

The Department of Education has stated that funds CANNOT be used for:

• Loss of income or income replacement funds
• Tuition and fees
• Future expenses
• Credit card bills
• Car payments and insurance
• Utility bills (unless directly related to upgrading technology for online learning)
• Increased grocery bills due to children being home

Funds CAN be used for:

• Increased technology costs (increased internet expenses, purchase of a laptop or other computer equipment needed to complete online classes)
• Additional course materials purchased to aid with online learning
• Airfare to travel home due to campus closure
• Rent for an off-campus apartment that you are no longer living in, but are unable to break the rental agreement

Undergraduate Day resident students who had to move off-campus due to COVID-19 were reimbursed with a prorated room and board credit. These funds will not be used for any additional reimbursement for those costs.

Questions?

Please direct questions to caresact@rivier.edu.