The University of La Verne has received funding from the recently approved Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA ) 2021. This disbursement, from the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to prioritize students with the greatest demonstrated financial need. To have qualified for a CRRSAA 2021 grant, students must be enrolled in eligible terms/semesters for Spring 2021. They must also be a US citizen and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file, demonstrating a need to receive federal financial aid. International and undocumented students are not eligible for these grants. These eligibility requirements are consistent with guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Education, which the university is required by law to follow in allocating this federal funding.
The maximum amount of emergency assistance that is provided by this grant is up to $1,000 based on need/eligibility. There is not an application process to request funding from this grant.
Eligible, degree-seeking and teacher-certification students who are attending at least half-time and have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file with the University of La Verne by February 15, 2021 (for semester students) or April 5, 2021 (for term students) will be automatically considered for a Spring 2021 CRRSAA Emergency Grant. Priority consideration for grants is being given to students with substantial funding gaps (“unmet need”). Eligible students enrolled in Spring 2021 may receive an emergency grant of up to $1,000. If funding allows, students with smaller funding gaps will be considered at a later date.
Students who have not yet completed a 2020-2021 FAFSA may still do so by visiting the Federal Student Aid website or downloading the myStudentAid app via the Apple App Store or Google Play. Students should use the University of La Verne’s FAFSA school code 00121600 when submitting.
HEERF Emergency Grants Report
CRRSAA/HEERF II Funding Section 314(a)(1) – Student Portion
Quarterly Report: For the period ending June 30, 2021
Report Posting Date: 07/09/2021
On 12/27/2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus, Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021. This Act provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II), found in Section 314(1)(a) of the CRRSAA, allows higher education institutions to use certain funds allocated by the Department of Education to support students and higher education institutions with expenses and financial needs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The following information is provided by the University of La Verne as required by the Department of Education (“ED”) in order to comply with the reporting requirements under the CRRSAA programs.
- 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. Institutions who received HEERF I Grant funds under the CARES Act were not required to submit an application for the HEERF II Grant. In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, the University of La Verne will use no less than $2,829,488, as stated under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA, to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.
- 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.The University of La Verne received a total of $2,829,488 under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA, which was provided as Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students with expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA, as of the following date(s): 6/30/2021: $2,829,488
- The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in TITLE IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA, is 4,555.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA, as of the following dates: 6/30/2021: 3528
- Method(s) used by the institution to determine who receives Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive: Eligible, degree-seeking and teacher-certification students who attended at least half-time, were in good standing and had a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file with the University of La Verne by February 15, 2021 (for semester students) or April 5, 2021 (for term students) were automatically considered for a Spring 2021 CRRSAA Emergency Grant. Priority consideration for grants were given to students with substantial funding gaps (“unmet need”). Eligible students enrolled in Spring 2021 received an emergency grant of up to $1,000. The table below outlines how much a student received based on their unmet need or EFC.
Graduate Students Award Amount EFC $5711 or below $1,000 EFC >$5711 <$10,000 $500 Undergraduate Students Unmet Need $10,000 or above $1,000 Unmet Need >$5000 <$10,000 $500 Teacher Credential Students Unmet Need $10,000 or above $1,000 Unmet Need >$5000 <$10,000 $500 - Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: The university’s HEERF website was updated on March 25, 2021 to include information on the Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA. This website includes eligibility requirements for the grant, deadlines, timelines, and FAQs. All enrolled students received an email alerting them to the HEERF II Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and directing them to the university website at https://laverne.edu/accounts/coronavirus-relief. In addition, emails were sent to students who were eligible to receive the grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question What is CRRSAA?
- Answer
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CRRSAA includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II(HEERF II) that provides more than $23 billion in emergency funding to higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding provide the same amount in financial aid grants to students from the new CRRSAA funds that it was required to provide under its original CARES Act Student Aid Portion award.
- Question Am I eligible?
- Answer
To be eligible for a CRRSAA 2021 emergency student grant, you must:
- Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- Have a completed 2020-21 FAFSA on file, demonstrating your eligibility to receive federal financial aid, and substantial unmet financial need. If you have not completed a 2020-21 FAFSA, please complete a FAFSA for the 2020-21 financial aid year no later than February 15, 2021 (for semester students) or April 5, 2021 (for term students)
- Be at least half-time enrolled in a degree-seeking or teacher-certification University of La Verne program for the Spring 2021 term/semester
Unfortunately, at this time the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, or non-matriculated students.
- Question Are graduate students eligible for the grant?
- Answer
Yes, these funds can be awarded to graduate and professional students pursuing degree programs and enrolled at the University of La Verne.
- Question Why isn’t there an application process this semester?
- Answer
Per recommendation of the Department of Education, funds will automatically be distributed to students reflecting a high need based on their FAFSA submission. This will ensure that students receive funding as soon as possible without the need to submit an application.
- Question I am a student enrolled in a La Verne Online program. Will I be considered for the Spring 2021 CRRSAA Emergency Grant?
- Answer
Yes. Unlike with the CARES Act Emergency Grants, students enrolled in La Verne Online programs will be reviewed for eligibility if they have a FAFSA on file and meet the eligibility criteria outlined above.
- Question I’ve already received CARES Act funding. Does that mean I cannot receive CRRSAA 2021 funding?
- Answer
No. The CARES Act and CRRSAA 2021 grant are separate grants provided by the federal government.
- Question How can I determine if I have substantial unmet financial need?
- Answer
Your unmet need is the gap between your estimated cost of attendance and your financial aid resources. You can review your complete Financial Aid Award Package through your portal, including your estimated cost of attendance for the year. Your financial aid award letter also contained these values. Substantial unmet need is defined as more than $5,000 for the academic year.
- Question Why can’t I receive more than $1,000?
- Answer
Funds are limited, and we need to ensure that we meet the critical needs of as many students as possible.
- Question How do I become considered for these funds? Is there a deadline?
- Answer
You will need to have a 2020-2021 FAFSA completed on file by February 15, 2021 (for semester students) or April 5, 2021 (for term students) in order to be considered for eligibility. Students who have not yet completed a 2020-2021 FAFSA may still do so by visiting the Federal Student Aid website or downloading the myStudentAid app via the Apple App Store or Google Play. Students should use the University of La Verne’s FAFSA school code 00121600 when submitting. Completing a FAFSA may also make you eligible for additional funds beyond CRRSAA grants to support your educational expenses.
- Question How soon will funding be distributed?
- Answer
Funds will be distributed the week of February 23 for semester-based programs and the week of April 6 for term-based programs.
- Question How will the funds be sent to me?
- Answer
CRRSAA 2021 grants will be processed through the Office of Student Accounts. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to log in to the MyLaVerne Portal and enroll in direct deposit now so that the funds can be disbursed directly to your account. Here are complete instructions for how to do so. If you do not have direct deposit set up, a paper check will be mailed to the physical address you provided in MyLaVerne.
- Question Will these funds affect the rest of my financial aid package?
- Answer
No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from CRRSAA.
- Question What if I still have an account balance?
- Answer
Any CRRSAA 2021 funds awarded will be paid to you directly, and do not have to be applied to outstanding balances owed to the University of La Verne. Such balances will remain the responsibility of the student. Funds received can be used to cover cost of attendance or for emergency expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, including (but not limited to) food, housing, healthcare, and childcare.
- Question Will I be expected to pay the money back?
- Answer
No, the funds are yours to keep.
- Question Are CRRSAA 2021 grants taxable?
- Answer
No. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stated in a FAQ document that these emergency funds provided to students will not count as taxable income.
- Question Can I receive funding more than once?
- Answer
Each eligible student will only be awarded once for the Spring 2021 semester/term. If funding is still available after the semester/term ends, you may be eligible to receive funds at a later date, to be announced.
- Question I don’t qualify for a CRRSAA 2021 grant. What other resources are available to me?
- Answer
Additional grants and emergency relief funds previously provided by the University of La Verne have been exhausted. We would recommend that you visit https://www.ca.gov/ to see what government provided financial resources may be available to you. For other resources, please visit the COVID-19 Student Resources website.
- Question Will there be additional emergency financial assistance available for future semesters?
- Answer
The University is continuing to monitor what funds may be available for future semesters. Students will be notified as soon as possible if further emergency financial assistance may be granted.
- Question Help! I have more questions and/or need more help with my finances. Who can I talk to?
- Answer
For any additional questions regarding CARES Act grants, please email ulvcares@laverne.edu and we will do our best to help you. For more assistance with financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.