Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Funding

Below please find the federally required reports for the HEERF funds, which were part of three acts of Congress: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), and American Rescue Plan (ARP). Cabrini University has fully utilized these funds during the 2019‒2020, 2020‒21, and 2021‒22 academic years.

Please select the section you would like to review:

Student aid from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)

CARES Act Funding (HEERF I)

On March 27, 2020, the President signed and Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, providing emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

As part of this $2 trillion stimulus package, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund has allocated approximately $14 billion to colleges with the purpose of providing financial relief directly to students with demonstrated need whose lives have been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification
Cabrini University returned to the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) a signed Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid on April 17, 2020, a signed Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Institutional Aid on April 30, 2020, and a signed Certificate and Agreement for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for the Strengthening Institutions Program on May 29, 2020, acknowledging that no less than 50 percent of the institution’s total awarded funding will go directly to students as emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Awarded Funds
Cabrini University will receive $1,002,593 for CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid, which will go directly to students as emergency financial aid grants, as per the DoE’s guidelines.

According to DoE guidelines on eligibility, an estimated 1,302 of Cabrini University students are eligible to receive the emergency financial aid funding.

As of September 30, 2021, $991,625 has been distributed to 1,287 students via the CARES Act Funding.

Eligibility, Methodology, and Delivery
It is always the goal of the institution to support our students in any way possible, and Cabrini has worked diligently to ensure that all students who are eligible receive funding, in adherence to the mandates provided by the DoE.

To be eligible to receive CARES Act emergency aid funding, students must be eligible for Federal Title IV aid and be registered in a bachelor’s or master’s program that was not completely online prior to March 13, 2020. Students enrolled in a doctoral program that was not completely online prior to March 13, 2020, are eligible to apply for the CARES funding reserved by Cabrini.

The DoE has prohibited awards to international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students, or students enrolled in distance-only degree programs.

Cabrini University students enrolled in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs who had an official FAFSA on file for the 2019-2020 aid year and were not enrolled in all online spring classes prior to March 13, 2020, were automatically awarded funding, based on guidance from the DoE and Cabrini University. Students may fall into more than one of the following categories.

Undergraduate students registered in at least 6 credits for the spring 2020 semester on March 13, 2020 ($300)
Students living in University housing on March 13, 2020 ($125)
Federal Pell Grant-eligible students as of March 13, 2020 ($800)
Graduate students registered in at least 6 credits for the spring 2020 semester on March 13, 2020 ($150)

These funds are to be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Students were informed that they would receive this funding via email prior to the direct deposit appearing in their bank accounts. All students also received an email from Cabrini President Donald B. Taylor, PhD, indicating a timeline for when eligible students could expect to receive these funds (via direct deposit and mail) and directing students to a posted CARES funding FAQs.

As part of this original award, in May 2020, 1,270 students were awarded $907,050.

The institution reserved approximately 10 percent, or $95,143, to be distributed following that initial May 2020 award and within the one-year DoE-imposed timeline to those students who meet the eligibility criteria and who demonstrate additional hardship and/or exceptional circumstances.

The institution established a process for applying for the reserved funds for those who meet the eligibility requirements and who demonstrate additional hardship and/or exceptional circumstances, including eligible doctoral students. The announcement of and link to the application was emailed directly to approximately 1,700 students on June 15, 2020; the application closed on June 30, 2020.

Guidance within the email indicated the limited funding would be distributed to those students who meet the eligibility criteria and who demonstrate additional hardship and/or exceptional circumstances.

Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the eligibility criteria listed in the email indicated:

Students must be eligible for Federal Title IV aid (as determined by submitting the 2019-2020 FAFSA). Students were invited to complete at www.fafsa.ed.gov until June 30, 2020, if not previously submitted.
Students had to be enrolled for a minimum of six credits during the spring 2020 semester.
Students could not be enrolled in a program that was exclusively online prior to March 13, 2020.
Students could not be withdrawn from the University prior to March 13, 2020.

Guidance within the email also indicated funding disbursed to students should be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course material, technology, health care, and child care).

Additional notification regarding how to access the application information was posted to the website on June 25, 2020, and those with questions were directed to email CARES@cabrini.edu and include their name and Cabrini ID number.

The application process yielded seven new awards (additional students who met eligibility criteria and were awarded funds as distributed in the initial May 2020 award) and 194 additional awards (eligible students who applied for additional funds for demonstrated additional hardship and/or exceptional circumstances each received $400), totaling an additional $85,675.

An email acknowledging the outcome of the application process for each individual request was sent on August 5, 2020, to all students who applied. Payments were processed August 5, 2020, and were received via direct deposit or mailed check.

The remaining $10,968 has been folded into Cabrini’s HEERF Student Aid, as allowed by federal guidelines, and will be distributed accordingly.

Student aid from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)

CRRSAA Act Funding (HEERF II)

Acknowledgment of Funding and Certification

By drawing down funds from the ED on April 15, 2021 Cabrini University agreed to the terms and conditions of the U.S. Department of Education’s supplemental Certification and Agreement. In keeping with the terms of the certification, Cabrini will use the full amount of funds received under Section (a)(1) of the ARP Act HEERF III award to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

Awarded Funds

Cabrini University will receive $1,002,593 for CRRSAA ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid, which will go to students as emergency financial aid grants, as per the DoE’s guidelines.

According to DoE guidelines on eligibility and Cabrini University’s determination of need, an estimated 864 students are eligible to receive the CRRSAA emergency financial aid funding.

As of September 30, 2021, $899,000 has been distributed to 864 students via the CRRSAA Act Funding.

Eligibility, Methodology, and Delivery

At the time when Cabrini University received funds, there were a number of limitations regarding who could receive funds. The below information is regarding the awards distributed to students who fit these original requirements.

The institution requested an official 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine eligibility. To be eligible for CRRSAA funding, students were required to meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Enrolled in the spring 2021 semester (students enrolled in fully remote instruction are also eligible)
Demonstrate financial need (priority given to those with exceptional financial need)

An email requesting students complete the FAFSA and with more information on eligibility was distributed by the Financial Aid Office on April 27, 2021.

On April 28, 2021, students designated to draw CRRSAA funding received notification of eligibility via email from the Financial Aid Office. Within that email was a link to a form that allowed students to indicate if they wanted to apply the funds to their Cabrini education account to further their education or if they wanted the funds sent directly to them. Cabrini credentials were required to access this form.

Students could opt to have their allotted funding applied to their Cabrini account or to receive it directly, either via direct deposit (if enrolled) or via mail. Those not enrolled in direct deposit received a check at the home address on file in Cabrini’s database.

To expedite the process of obtaining this grant funding, we strongly encouraged students to enroll in direct deposit and provided instructions for completing that process.

Even if students owed money to Cabrini for past expenses, they were able to receive these funds. As long as students met the eligibility requirements, including demonstrated financial need, they received CRRSAA funding either as funds applied to continuing their educational efforts at Cabrini or sent directly to the student. These federal funds are provided to students to mitigate the financial burdens imposed by COVID-19.

The remaining $103,593 has been folded into Cabrini’s HEERF Student Aid funding, as allowed by federal guidelines, and will be distributed accordingly.

Student aid from the American Rescue Plan (ARP)

ARP Act Funding (HEERF III)

ARP reporting

Quarterly Student reporting:

Quarterly Student reporting for quarter ending 9/30/2021:

(1) 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.

By drawing down funds from the ED on August 13, 2021 Cabrini University agreed to the terms and conditions of the U.S. Department of Education’s supplemental Certification and Agreement. In keeping with the terms of the certification, Cabrini will use the full amount of funds received under Section (a)(1) of the ARP Act HEERF III award to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

(2) 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Cabrini University will receive $2,517,560 for ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid. These funds will be added to the remaining funds from the previous HEERF awards: $10,968 from HEERF and $103,593 from HEERF II. The total amount of $2,632,121 will be awarded to students based on guidance received from the DoE.

(3) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of September 30, 2021, Cabrini University has distributed $2,000 to students under the ARP (a)(1) program.

(4) The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, Cabrini University is working on identifying eligible students.

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, one student has received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the ARP (a)(1) program.

(6) 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, Cabrini is working to establish a process for awarding these funds. Please check back to this website in the coming weeks for more information.

(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

On September 21, 2021, Jim Cooper, Cabrini’s Vice President of Finance, sent an email to all enrolled undergraduate students announcing the next round of HEERF funding.

On September 22, 2021, Financial Aid (funding@cabrini.edu) emailed a link to the secure authorization form to 201 undergraduate students who were enrolled in both Spring 2021 and Fall 2021 who did not receive any CARES or CRRSAA funds.

On September 29, 2021, Financial Aid (funding@cabrini.edu) emailed all fall 2021 UG students announcing ARP (HEERF III) and the following three-phase plan for distributing the funds.

Phase I – Undergraduate students registered for Spring 2021 who did not receive any CARES or CRRSAA funds – no application necessary

Phase II – Undergraduate students registered for Fall 2021 based on need – scheduled for late October– no application necessary

Phase III – Appeal process to include all students registered for the Fall 2021 semester – the application will be available in November

On September 29, 2021, Financial Aid (funding@cabrini.edu) sent a reminder email to the 180 students who did not respond to the September 22 email asking them to complete the secure authorization form.

Quarterly Student reporting for quarter ending 12/31/2021:

Cabrini University received $2,517,560 for ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid. These funds were added to the remaining funds from the previous HEERF awards: $10,968 from HEERF and $103,593 from HEERF II (which includes $2,500 from previously distributed checks that were uncashed/returned from the third quarter). The total amount of $2,632,121 will be awarded to students based on guidance received from the DoE.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21 Cabrini University distributed $2,577,500 in HEERF funding to students.

(4) The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21 Cabrini University estimated that 1703 students were eligible to receive HEERF funding.

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21, 841 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant.

(6) 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Cabrini established a three phase plan for identifying and allocating American Rescue Funds.

Phase I – Undergraduate students registered for Spring 2021 who did not receive any CARES or CRRSAA funds – no application necessary (possible $2000 allocation)

Phase II – Undergraduate students registered for Fall 2021 based on need – scheduled for late October– no application necessary (possible $1000 - $3500 allocations)

Phase III – Appeal process to include all students registered for the Fall 2021 semester – the application will be available in November (allocations based on remaining funds)

(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

The three phases of the American Rescue Plan announced in September began in this quarter.

October 4, 2021 - Phase I – emails were sent to Undergraduate students enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester who were not registered for the fall 2021 semester and who did not receive any CARES of CRRSAA funding. Students were directed to respond by October 15^th.
Week of October 11^th reminder emails to non-enrolled and enrolled who have not responded to date
October 18^th – Phase I ARP closed
November 2-3, 2021 – start of Phase II – emails with notification/permission link were sent to undergraduate students who filed a 2122 FAFSA and have an EFC of 25,000 of below.
Week of November 8^th - Phase II reminders were sent to students who had not responded.
Week of November 22^nd – Second Phase II reminder emailed to students who had not responded.
December 1^st – Phase II closed
December 15^th – 16^th – Phase III - Appeal for ARP funds email sent to registered undergraduate and graduate students with link to appeal form. Form asked if in need of emergency funding as a result of Covid-19, a brief explanation and if student wanted funds to remain on account for current/future tuition balances.
December 22^nd 5pm – Phase III Appeal form closed.

Quarterly Student reporting for quarter ending 3/31/2022:

By drawing down funds from the ED on August 13, 2021 Cabrini University agreed to the terms and conditions of the U.S. Department of Education’s supplemental Certification and Agreement. In keeping with the terms of the certification, Cabrini has used the full amount of funds received under Section (a)(1) of the ARP Act HEERF III award to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

Cabrini University received $2,517,560 in ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid. These funds were added to the remaining funds from the previous HEERF awards: $10,968 from HEERF and $103,593 from HEERF II (which includes $2,500 from previously distributed checks that were uncashed/returned from the third quarter). $2,577,000 was awarded to eligible students based on guidance received from the DoE in December 2021. The remaining $55,121 was allocated during the Appeal process in February 2022.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21 Cabrini University distributed $2,577,500 in HEERF funding to students. During the quarter ending 3/31/22 Cabrini University distributed $55,121 in ARP funding to students.

(4) The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21 Cabrini University estimated that 1703 students were eligible to receive HEERF funding. This figure did not change during the quarter ending 3/31/22.

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

During the quarter ending 12/31/21, 841 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. An additional 75 students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants within the quarter ending 3/31/22 during the ARP Appeal Phase.

(6) 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Cabrini established a three phase plan for identifying and allocating American Rescue Funds.

Phase I – Undergraduate students registered for Spring 2021 who did not receive any CARES or CRRSAA funds – no application necessary (possible $2000 allocation)

Phase II – Undergraduate students registered for Fall 2021 based on need – scheduled for late October– no application necessary (possible $1000 - $3500 allocations)

Phase III – Appeal process to include all students registered for the Fall 2021 semester – the application was made available on December 15^th and 16^th and closed at 5pm on December 22, 2021 (allocations based on remaining funds)

During the ARP Appeal Phase, 282 students completed the online appeal form. Of these 282 students, 75 were deemed to be eligible for additional emergency funding.

Eligibility was based on student responses to questions on the Appeal form:

Are you in need of emergency funding to use toward your cost of attendance at Cabrini or for emergency costs resulting from the COVID_19 pandemic?
What category do these additional expenses fall under? Please check all that apply and provide a brief explanation and estimated cost for each. – Choices: Food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, other.
Please provide a short description of your additional costs.
Students may grant permission for the institution to apply ARP funds toward a current or future account balance which will assist students in staying on course for graduation or future registration. Choices: Please apply ARP funds toward current/future balances OR Please grant full ARP funds to me.

(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

The three phases of the American Rescue Plan announced in September began in the last quarter of 2021 and was completed during the quarter ending 3/31/2022.

October 4, 2021 - Phase I – emails were sent to Undergraduate students enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester who were not registered for the fall 2021 semester and who did not receive any CARES of CRRSAA funding. Students were directed to respond by October 15^th.
Week of October 11^threminder emails to non-enrolled and enrolled who have not responded to date
October 18^th– Phase I ARP closed
November 2-3, 2021 – start of Phase II – emails with notification/permission link were sent to undergraduate students who filed a 2122 FAFSA and have an EFC of 25,000 of below.
Week of November 8^th- Phase II reminders were sent to students who had not responded.
Week of November 22^nd– Second Phase II reminder emailed to students who had not responded.
December 1^st– Phase II closed
December 15^th– 16^th – Phase III - Appeal for ARP funds email sent to registered undergraduate and graduate students with link to appeal form. Form asked if in need of emergency funding as a result of Covid-19, a brief explanation and if student wanted funds to remain on account for current/future tuition balances.
December 22^nd at 5pm – Phase III Appeal Form closed, 282 responses received
Section 3 of Appeal form message – Please submit completed form by December 22, 2021 for additional ARP funding consideration. Our goal is to assist as many students as possible with the remaining limited funds.
Week of January 10^th – completed review and award amounts
January 19^th – sent 282 email notifications with appeal results to students (207 no and 75 yes)
January 19^th – 21^st – Bursar processes appeal funding per students’ directions – 51 directly to students totaling $38,868 and 24 on student accounts totaling $16,253 to exhaust remaining ARP funds.

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American Rescue Plan Q&A

What is HEERF III – the American Rescue Plan (ARP)?

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) is the third round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funding following CARES and CRRSSA. Students may use these grant dollars for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Who is eligible to receive ARP funding?

ARP guidance has removed the earlier requirement that students be eligible for Title IV student financial aid to receive HEERF funds. Put more plainly, 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 from the HEERF, regardless of whether they completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are eligible for Title IV Aid.

As a Cabrini University student, am I eligible for ARP funding?

The University has decided to allocate ARP funding in three phases.

Phase I – Undergraduate students registered for Spring 2021 who did not receive any CARES or CRRSAA funds – no application necessary
Phase II – Undergraduate students registered for Fall 2021 based on need – scheduled for late October– no application necessary
Phase III – Appeal process to include all students registered for the Fall 2021 semester – application will be available in November

How will I know if I am eligible?

Students who have been identified as eligible for Phase I funds received an email September 22^nd from funding@cabrini.edu with a link to the secure authorization form. More information regarding Phase II and III will be forthcoming over the Fall semester.

Is funding@cabrini.edu a legitimate email address?

This email has been established for direct communication regarding the HEERF funds and is monitored by the Financial Aid Office.

How much funding can I expect to receive?

Phase I funding levels are based on Spring 2021 enrollment.

Full time undergraduate students - $2000
Part time undergraduate students - $1000

Phase II and III funding levels are currently being finalized.

If I have a balance, can I give the University permission to keep the funds to pay down my balance or future balances?

Yes, students may grant permission for the institution to apply ARP funds toward a current or future account balance. This will assist students in staying on course for graduation or future registration.

If I do not want to apply the funds toward my current or future tuition, how will I receive this funding?

The most efficient way to receive these funds is through direct deposit which can be set up via the student portal.

Visit the Cabrini Portal at portal.cabrini.edu
Select “Students” tab and “Review eBill/Payment”
Under “My Profile Setup” select “Electronic Refunds”
Any questions or issues with this process, please contact the Bursar’s Office at billing@cabrini.edu.

If you do not have direct deposit set up, a paper check will be sent to your permanent home address on file.

Are emergency financial aid grants to students under the HEERF program considered taxable income?

No. Per the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, emergency financial aid grants under ARP/HEERF III are qualified disaster relief payments and will not be taxable.

Do I need to repay the money?

No. An emergency grant, whether funded by ARP/HEERF III or the University's Student Hardship Fund, does not need to be repaid. This grant does not impact or replace any financial aid you may currently receive, and it is a one-time grant.

HEERF Institutional Funds (Quarterly Reports)

HEERF Institutional Funds

Quarterly Reports

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending September 30, 2020)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending December 31, 2020)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending March 31, 2021)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending June 30, 2021)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending September 30, 2021)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending December 31, 2021)

Institutional CARES Act Funding Quarterly Report (quarter ending March 31, 2022)