Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Compliance Report
In compliance with reporting requirements established by the US Department of Education’s Secretary, the following information describes the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economics Security Act (CARES), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).
The University of Colorado Boulder signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The initial acknowledgement for HEERF I was completed on April 30, 2020 for funds received under Section 18804(a)(1) of the CARES Act, Pub. L. No. 116-136. The supplemental grant, HEERF II, under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSAA), Pub. L.116-260 was acknowledged by drawing down funds from G5 on February 3, 2021. The supplemental grant, HEERF III, under Section 2003 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP), Pub. L. 117-2 was acknowledged by drawing down funds from G5 on June 21, 2021.
A total of $44,290,175 has been authorized for HEERF to be used for emergency financial aid grants to students at the University of Colorado Boulder. These funds are authorized as follows:
- $9,366,204 under CARES (HEERF I)
- As of November 30, 2020, the entire CARES authorization has been awarded to 4,152 students. This is the final report for the student portion of HEERF I.
- $9,366,204 under CRRSAA (HEERF II)
- As of June 30, 2021, the entire CRRSSA authorization of $9,366,204 has been awarded to 5,801 students. This is the final report for the student portion of HEERF II.
- $25,557,767 under ARP (HEERF III)
- As of March 31, 2022 the entire APR authorization of $25,557,767 has been awarded to 9,521 students. This is the final report for the student portion of HEERF III.
HEERF III report as of March 31, 2022:
- For the quarter March 1 – June 30, 2021, $102,371 has been awarded to 83 students.
- For the quarter July 1 – September 30, 2021, $14,098,422 has been awarded to 4,872 students.
- For the quarter October 1 – December 31, 2021, $4,794,900 has been awarded to 2,478 students.
- For the quarter January 1 – March 31, 2022, $6,562,074 has been awarded to 4,918 students.
The estimated total number of students at CU Boulder with eligibility for aid during the January – March 2022 quarter is 35,494 based on Spring 2022 total student enrollment.
On May 6, 2020, CU Boulder began accepting Student Emergency Fund applications to allow students to request emergency financial aid grants. The value of the grant varies according to the needs of the student, but cannot exceed $6,000 in an academic year. Awards typically range from $500 to $2,000 and are allocated based on type of need. View full list of Student Emergency Fund eligibility requirements.
In addition to the Student Emergency Fund Application, CU Boulder selected the following groups of students to receive HEERF emergency grants ranging from $500 to $8,000 depending on individual student circumstances:
- Pell Grant eligible undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2021
- Continuing undergraduates who earned less than full time credit in 2020-21 and demonstrate financial need in the current year
- Pell Grant eligible undergraduates with outstanding Fall 2021 tuition and fees balance of $500+ as of Sept. 24, 2021
Some students may have received funds from both the application and institutional selection.
The U.S. Department of Education also requires CU Boulder to document any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the emergency financial aid grants. Below is a summary of the communication and general messaging provided.
- A Student Emergency Fund webpage provides eligibility requirements, instructions, typical award amounts and link to application.
- Targeted email messaging is sent to students with high financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), notifying them of the availability of emergency funds.
- Broad email messaging is sent periodically to all students via the campus CU Boulder Today newsletter promoting the availability of emergency grant funding.
- Information is also available to students on multiple campus and departmental websites, including the main COVID-19 Updates & Resources site.
- The Student Emergency Fund is part of broader COVID-19 communications where students are directed to an application and other university and community-based resources.
- Students who submit applications are notified by email of their application status, eligibility for funds and expectations around payment of funds.
- Students included in the institutional selection for the grant are notified by email and provided instructions on choosing a payment option to receive the funds.