The CARES Act/HEERF Student Share Grant Funds

On April 17, 2020, the University signed and returned to ED the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the University intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

Pursuant to the Certification and Agreement, the University is eligible to receive up to $5,021,974 in HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. The University has received confirmation of the availability of these funds. As of the date of this report, the University has drawn down approximately $2.8 million of the available funds. The University draws down these funds on a reimbursement basis.

As of the date of this report, the University has distributed approximately $2.9 million of HEERF Student Share Grant funds. The University continues to accept additional HEERF Student Share applications via the University’s HEERF Student Share online application website and expects to make additional distributions.

As of the Spring 2020 academic term, the University estimates that approximately 11,000 students, including students enrolled in associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, and professional programs, may be eligible for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. This represents approximately two-thirds of the University’s total enrollment of approximately 17,000 students.

As of the date of this report, the University issued HEERF Student Share Grant fund payments to approximately 1,900 students. The University continues to accept additional HEERF Student Share applications via the University’s HEERF Student Share online application website and expects to make additional distributions.

As presented in the University’s policy, the University decided to prioritize students with the greatest need, but at the same time establish a maximum funding threshold for each student to ensure that these funds are distributed as widely as possible. The maximum award was initially estimated to be $1,500. Based on actual applications received during the Priority Application Period, some awards may be larger than this initial estimate.

Following is a summary of the University’s procedure for determining how the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds will be distributed:

• $4.5 million will be distributed based on student applications describing the expenses incurred as a result of the disruption of campus operations.
• The University will validate each student’s eligibility and will review supporting documentation. Student applications will be accepted during a two-week Priority Application Period.
• If the total value of applications received during the period exceeds $4.5 million (based on the lesser of the amount requested and supported or the maximum award), the University will allocate the funds based on lowest to highest Expected Family Contribution (“EFC”), until the cumulative grants total $4.5 million.
• If the total value of applications received is less than or equal to the $4.5 million, the University will approve each application for the lesser of the amount requested and supported or the maximum award.
• $0.5 million and any funds remaining after the initial funding round will be awarded to eligible students on a case-by-case basis taking into account individual student circumstances. The University will continue to make awards consistent with the CARES Act and the University’s policy until the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds are fully distributed.

The University developed an online application process for students to apply for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds, accessible at forms.luc.edu/heerf/login

Review HEERF Student Share Grant Funds FAQs and LUC.edu/heerf for related information.

The University’s May 11, 2020 policy applied to eligible students and expenses incurred related to the disruption of campus operations during the Spring 2020 semester. Supplemental guidance issued by ED in June 2020 has clarified that students who were not enrolled in the Spring 2020 academic term but enrolled in a subsequent academic session are also eligible to receive HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. The ED guidance recognized that “students may experience expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus after the semester or quarter in which the national emergency was declared”. The University is in the process of developing an addendum to its May 11, 2020 policy to incorporate ED’s June 2020 guidance concerning Post-Spring 2020 terms. The addendum and additional information will be made available on LUC.edu/heerf.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Share Grant summer and fall application is now available at forms.LUC.edu/heerf.  Applications submitted by Wednesday, October 14 will be included in the Priority Application Period.

To log onto the online application, you will need your student UVID and password. Once logged in, you will be asked to provide receipts supporting expenses you incurred.

Students in associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, professional, and certificate programs may apply for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. Students enrolled in the fall semester must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2020-2021 Aid Year. If you have not yet filed a FAFSA, you can do so at www.studentaid.gov. Once the Financial Aid Office certifies you have a valid FAFSA, you can submit your HEERF Grant application.

The University’s HEERF Student Share Grant Funds policy addendum outlines eligibility requirements and other important information concerning eligible expenses related to the summer and fall academic terms.

Expenses related to the disruption of campus operations which may qualify for a HEERF grant include:

• Expenses incurred related to breaking a lease or securing last-minute housing
• Moving, storage, and airline change fees
• Technology purchases related to the transition to online learning
• Other expenses including food, childcare, and healthcare related to the disruption of campus operations

Lost wages are not considered by the federal government to be an eligible expense.

The University’s HEERF Student Share Grant Funds policy addendum outlines the process by which students will be able to apply for grants for the summer and fall academic terms and how they will be awarded and paid. Approximately $1.5 million of HEERF Student Share funds remain available as of September 30. Applications submitted through noon on October 14 will be included in the priority application period.

Updates concerning available funds will be posted to LUC.edu/heerf.

We recognize the importance of these emergency grants to our students and are working diligently to keep you updated regarding the application process and disbursement of funds. We anticipate that funds for the summer and fall semesters will be distributed after the review of the applications received during the Priority Application Period is complete.