HEERF Reporting

CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act

CARES Act federal assistance for allowable expenses may be provided to students who are eligible for federal financial aid in accordance with guidance from the US Department of Education.

Funds may be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations as a result of the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care.

The recent federal CARES Act establishes and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants directly to students. IU East is in the process of receiving federal funds to provide HEERF emergency grant awards directly to IU East students.

Eligible IU East students were encouraged to apply for CARES funding by a priority deadline of June 1st. At this time IU East is not accepting any new applications.

Indiana University signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to receive funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to the Department of Education. By doing so, the university assures no less than 50 percent of the funds will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The East campus of Indiana University received $531,361 to provide Emergency Grants to students.

As of Monday, June 8, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act at IU East is over $531,361.

The total number of students who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, who could be eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, is approximately 1,100. As of Monday, June 8, 2020, 251 applications have been received and 201 have been reviewed and awarded funds.

IU East began with an application method to distribute grants to students. Through communications in May 2020, students were encouraged to apply for emergency funds with a priority filing date of June 1, 2020. These communications included instructions for how to apply if students had faced disruption due to COVID-19 including the requirement of a completed FASFA to determine eligibility. Applicants were encouraged to apply based on their need with a maximum award of $4000. After all applications had been reviewed and students awarded accordingly, funds were then awarded to Pell grant eligible students who had not received an application-based award. Additional guidance provided to students can be found below.

Who can qualify for CARES Emergency Grants?

Students must have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and qualified for federal student aid during the spring 2020 semester to be considered for CARES funding.

How can I find out if I qualify for CARES Emergency Grants?

Eligible students will be notified by email with a direct link to complete the simple online application.

What can CARES Emergency Grants be used for?

CARES emergency grants are directed to be used for student expenses related to the pandemic and the disruption of in-person college attendance. Examples of expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare expenses.

Who is ineligible for CARES Emergency Grants?

The U.S. Department of Education has determined that DACA, undocumented, International, and students enrolled in only online/distance education classes prior to March 23, 2020 do NOT qualify for CARES funding. IU East may offer other emergency grant and loan funds to those students on a limited basis.

Students admitted to an on campus degree program who were enrolled in only online/distance education courses for spring 2020 are NOT eligible based on the U.S. Department of Education guidance.

What is needed to submit an IU East emergency funding application?

You will need the link to the online application from your email. The application requires the student to submit name, university ID number, and a short narrative describing the emergency funding needs. The requestor can upload information as appropriate and may be asked to submit additional documentation. All correspondence will occur using the student’s IU email address.

How are emergency funding requests managed?

Confidential requests are reviewed on case-by-case basis by a team of highly trained financial aid administrators. Requests are referred to campus partners as appropriate.

How likely am I to receive an emergency funding award?

In the majority of requests reviewed, students are helped to determine if they are eligible for additional federal aid eligibility before they are considered for limited emergency aid funds. But for those that have exhausted federal and state aid eligibility and have unmet financial need, an emergency aid funding option is likely to be awarded.

How long does an emergency funding request review take?

Despite the recent influx of applications, undergraduate students should receive an email response with aid options within 2-3 business days. Referrals to campus partners for international students, undocumented students, DACA students, or graduate/professional students may take a bit longer.