The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) provides emergency funding to institutions of higher education to assist students in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) was awarded a total of $492,847, in HEERF II funding to be used for emergency grants to students. CEI plans to distribute CRRSAA- HEERF II emergency grants ranging from $850 to $225 to eligible students during Spring 2021. Funds may be used to cover 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.
How does the CRRSAA HEERF II affect me as a student?
Funds from the CRRSAA HEERF II Emergency Relief Fund are not considered financial aid and do not affect a student's current or future financial aid eligibility. The IRS recently announced that emergency grants provided to students under the first CARES Act and this recent CRRSAA HEERF II Act are not to be included in a student’s gross income and are not taxable.
What are the eligibility requirements to receive CRRSAA HEERF II funding?
Per guidance from the Department of Education, College of Eastern Idaho’s goal is to prioritize assistance to students with the greatest financial need, which will be identified through the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funds will be automatically offered to students who met the following criteria (data pulled 03/30/2021):
Are there any students that will not be eligible for the CRRSAA HEERF II funding?
CEI has opted to exclude students who meet the following criteria: Registered in less than 6 credits, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and undocumented students or non-citizens, non-degree-seeking students, Early College/Dual Enrollment students, and students not in good academic standing (Unsatisfactory or meeting maximum credits).
How will the CRRSAA HEERF II funding be distributed?
The highest grant amounts are provided to eligible students who exhibit the highest financial need as determined from their FAFSA. Furthermore, emergency grant award amounts for students who are enrolled less than full-time will be prorated accordingly. Please see chart below for the awarding methodology.
Distribution by Block Grant
|
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) |
Enrollment |
Amount |
|
0 |
Full Time 12+ credits |
$ 850 |
|
0 |
Three Quarter Time 9-11 credits |
$ 725 |
|
0 |
Half-Time 6-8 Credits |
$ 425 |
|
0 |
Less than Half time 1-5 credits |
$ - |
|
1-2,500 |
Full Time 12+ credits |
$ 750 |
|
1-2,500 |
Three Quarter Time 9-11 credits |
$ 625 |
|
1-2,500 |
Half-Time 6-8 Credits |
$ 375 |
|
1-2,500 |
Less than Half time 1-5 credits |
$ - |
|
2,501-5,576 |
Full Time 12+ credits |
$ 650 |
|
2,501-5,576 |
Less Than FT 6-11 credits |
$ 525 |
|
2,501-5,576 |
Half-Time 6-8 Credits |
$ 325 |
|
2,501-5,576 |
Less than Half time 1-5 credits |
$ - |
|
5,577-15,000 |
Full Time 12+ credits |
$ 550 |
|
5,577-15,000 |
Three Quarter Time 9-11 credits |
$ 400 |
|
5,577-15,000 |
Half-Time 6-8 Credits |
$ 275 |
|
5,577-15,000 |
Less than Half time 1-5 credits |
$ - |
|
EFC of > 15,000 |
Full Time 12+ credits |
$ 450 |
|
EFC of > 15,000 |
Three Quarter Time 9-11 credits |
$ 325 |
|
EFC of > 15,000 |
Half-Time 6-8 Credits |
$ 225 |
|
EFC of > 15,000 |
Less than Half time 1-5 credits |
$ - |
How will I receive my CRRSAA HEERF II funding?
For students that have set up eRefund (direct deposit), grants will be processed and deposited to their account. Please allow time for banks to process and accept the refunds. Students with no eRefund will be processed and mailed a check to the mailing address that appears in their student record.
Can I apply for additional emergency funding?
Notice: CEI HAS EXHAUSTED ALL CRRSAA HEERF II funds as of June 18, 2021. Yes. Students with additional financial need may apply for more emergency funding. Students must meet the eligibility criteria as listed above and be Title IV eligible. This funding is limited and will be based on the student requested need until funds are exhausted. Students can fill out the CRRSAA HEERF II Emergency Grant Application.
How long can I apply for CRRSAA HEERF II funding or emergency funding?
Applications will be reviewed weekly until funds are no longer available.
I received the CRRSAA HEERF II funding as a refund. Does this mean my CEI account balance has been paid off?
No. Distribution of CRRSAA HEERF II is made directly to students and not applied toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student. Receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their financial obligations to College of Eastern Idaho for any debts incurred during the Spring 2021 term, prior terms, or upcoming terms where funds are available. Please check your current account balance on Self-Service to determine what you may still owe.
Am I eligible to receive CRRSAA HEERF II funding if my Satisfactory Academic Progress is in an Unsatisfactory status?
No. Students with an Unsatisfactory SAP status are not eligible for CRRSA HEREFF II fund distributions.
I did not fill out a FAFSA, am I eligible for CRRSAA HEERF II funding?
The U.S. Department of Education requires that CRRSAA HEERF II recipients are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens as verified by the 2020-2021 FAFSA. The regulations also require fund prioritization to the most financially needy students which was also determined by the FAFSA and enrollment data.
The 2020-2021 FAFSA will be used to determine student need. CRRSAA HEERF II payments to students will vary based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated on the FAFSA and their full-time to part-time status.
Eligible students who do not complete a FAFSA or who do not submit all required documents will only receive a limited payment based on the highest EFC and their enrollment in Spring 2021 by request. For more information on eligibility requirements contact the Financial Aid Office.
You can still be eligible for the CRRSAA HEERF II funding by completing the 2020-2021 FAFSA
What can I use CRRSAA HEERF II funding for?
Funds may be used to cover 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.
Learn how CEI has implemented the distribution of CRRSAA HEERF II funding for students in need. College of Eastern Idaho published CRRSAA HEERF II Report detailing CRRSAA HEREFF II funds distribution.
Communications Related to the HEERF II CRRSAA Grant:
