CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on December 27, 2020. This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education (Department) approximately $22.7 billion to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF II. The CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding under section 314(a)(4) to provide the funds to studentswith 0 going to the school for administrative or other costs.

What is the HEERF II (CRRSAA) Emergency Grant?

Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Unlike the CARES Act, the HEERF II (CRRSAA) requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants.

CAPSTONE COLLEGE signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The institution has used, or intends to use, 100 percent of the funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

The College has received $54,411 in emergency grants for eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that 112 students are eligible for these funds.These are one-time grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment. The HEERF II (CRRSAA) emergency grant provides temporary, short-term, emergency financial assistance to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could adversely affect their educational success. The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.

CAPSTONE COLLEGE received our allocation of HEERF II funds from the U.S. Department of Education on April 19, 2021.

CAPSTONE COLLEGE has distributed $41,400 of these funds to 71students as of June 30, 2021.

CAPSTONE COLLEGE has distributed the entire $54,411 allocation of funds to 94 students as of September 30, 2021.

Eligibility Criteria

Currently enrolled and active CAPSTONE COLLEGE students who are not on an LOA. Students that subsequently enroll are also eligible until funds are exhausted.
January 2021 through May 2021 graduates from CAPSTONE COLLEGE.

We will begin distributing grants to eligible as quickly as possible, and anticipate checks will be available to pick up at the school in May. Recipients will be notified in class and via school email. We will mail out the check for any student that requests it. Students that return from LOA become eligible and students that begin class in May or later may have to wait until a month has passed to receive their grant payment.

CAPSTONE COLLEGE will provide funds in 2 groups.

Group 1: Your 2019/20, 2020/21 or 2021/22 FAFSA EFC is 0. You can expectto receive $900.

Group 2: Your 2019/20, 2020/21 or 2021/22 FAFSA EFC is 1 or higher, or you do not wish to complete a FAFSA. You can expect to receive $400.

FAQ

When do I apply? How do I apply?

If you are currently attending Capstone there is no need to apply. Checks will be calculated and disbursed beginning in May 2021. If you have not completed a 2019/20, 2020/21 or 2021/22 FAFSA you still qualify.

When will CRRSAA/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II be available?

Who is eligible for the CRRSAA /Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II?

Priority will be given to students with exceptional need, determined by the 2019/20, 2020/21or 2021/22official Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

All currently enrolled CAPSTONE COLLEGE students activeand not on an LOA. Students that subsequently enroll are also eligible until funds are exhausted.

Students who have graduatedfrom January 2021 onward.

Students who have completed a 2019/20, 2020/21 or 2021/22 FAFSA, and have a valid EFC may be considered for emergency grants funded through HEERF II (CRRSAA).

To determine your eligibility to receive a HEERF II Emergency Grant, you shouldcompleteany FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov if you have not already done so. Once your FAFSA is processed by Federal Student Aid, your information is sent to CAPSTONE COLLEGE within 10 days. The amount of the HEERF II Emergency Grant will be based on Group assignment determined by official Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Group 1:
To prioritize rapid support of students with the most exceptional need, CAPSTONE COLLEGE will automatically award the initial emergency grants to current and active students as well as graduates in 2021 who have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0, as calculated through the 2019/20, 2020/21 or 2021/22FAFSA process. Students on an LOA are not eligible. Students in Group 1 will automatically receive the highest initial grant awards and do not need to request the grant funding. Group 1 students will receive $800.

Group 2:
To prioritize rapid support of students with the most exceptional need, CAPSTONE COLLEGE will automatically award the initial emergency grants to current and active students as well as 2021 graduates who meet the eligibility criteria in Group 2. Students on an LOA are not eligible. Students in Group 2 have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 1 or greater, as calculated through the 2019/20, 2020/21, or 2021/22FAFSA process. Students in Group 2 will automatically receive the second-highest initial grant awards and do not need to request the grant funding. Group 2 students will receive $400.

Even if a student has a current financial hold or owes the campus fees or fines is still eligible to receive a grant. Funds are disbursed directly to the student. Any debts or fees owed to CAPSTONE COLLEGE will not be deducted from the emergency grant unless the student specifically authorizes it.

Who is eligible for the CRRSAA /Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II? How much will I get from the HEERF II funds?

Your grant is not taxable income

No, your grant is not taxable income. Emergency financial aid grants are for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Your grant will have no effect on your other financial aid

If you receive an emergency grant and later withdraw from CAPSTONE COLLEGE, you are not required to pay it back.

Contact: CAPSTONE COLLEGE if you still have questions

For questions regarding HEERF II (CRRSAA) call the Financial Aid Office at CAPSTONE COLLEGE. Or email Bridget Baumgartner: Bridget@CapstoneCollege.edu