HEERF Communications (2021)
Under the provisions of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund of the Covid-19 Relief and Fiscal 2021 Omnibus (Public Law 116-260) the University of Charleston received $611,494 for distribution to students in the form of financial aid grants 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.
Approximately 2,800 students at the institution are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Grant Act and are receiving emergency financial aid grants under the Covid-19 Relief and Fiscal 2021 Omnibus. The University of Charleston determined to distribute 100% of the student grant funds using a formula that would ensure that all eligible students would receive a grant through HEERF and that low EFC students would receive more grant funds than high EFC students.
The University of Charleston’s methodology in determining the Low and High EFC range took into consideration the guidelines under which the United States Department of Education determines eligibility for Pell grant awards. The University of Charleston determined the Low EFC range for grants to be from $0 – $5,711and High EFC range to be $5,712 and up. Also included in the High EFC range were those students who did not complete a 2020-21 FAFSA but were determined to be eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Those who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 were initially identified from among all UC students. The University requested that all students who had not filed but are eligible to file a FAFSA identify themselves and provide evidence of their Title IV eligibility.
The University of Charleston used the described method of allocation which resulted in the following students receiving emergency financial aid grants in the award amounts indicated:
- Group 1: Students enrolled in a non-online degree program in Spring 2021 who had a full-time course load as of March 22, 2021, met the Title IV eligibility criteria, and had an EFC from the FAFSA less than $5,712. These students were awarded $443.41.
- Group 2: Students enrolled in a non-online degree program in Spring 2021 who had a part-time course load or who were enrolled in an online degree program with any course load as of March 22, 2021, met the Title IV eligibility criteria, and had an EFC from the FAFSA less than $5,712. These students were awarded $250.
- Group 3: Students enrolled in a non-online degree program in Spring 2020 who had a full-time course load as of March 22, 2021, met the Title IV eligibility criteria, and had an EFC from the FAFSA greater than $5,711, or who did not have an EFC on record. These students were awarded $200.
- Group 4: Students enrolled in a non-online degree program in Spring 2021 who had a part-time course load or who were enrolled in an online degree program with any course load as of March 22, 2021, met the Title IV eligibility criteria, and had an EFC from the FAFSA greater than $5,711, or who did not have an EFC on record. These students were awarded $100.
The University of Charleston began distributing the grants via students’ preferred refund method (direct deposit or check) on April 21, 2021. All grants were distributed by April 29, 2021.