Purpose:
The purpose of this document is for Salem State University to comply with reporting requirements mandated by the US Department of Education for institutions receiving funds through the CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
Salem State University is required to make the Report available and appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public. Accordingly, Salem State responses to specific requirements will be made available on the Salem State University website (salemstate.edu) 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter.
Initial 30-Day Fund Report (May 20, 2020):
Requirements and Responses:
- An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or 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.
Salem State University signed and returned the Certification Agreement on April 21, 2020. The university intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. - The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The total amount received by Salem State University for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students is $3,256,409.00 - The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
Salem State University has distributed $2,655,000.00 as of May 13, 2020. - The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
4,325 is the estimated total number of Salem State students that are eligible to participate. - The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Four thousand three hundred twenty-five have received a CARES Act grant as of May 13, 2020. - The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Summary:
Salem State awarded block grants to eligible students for approximately 80% of the fund and held back the remaining 20% to assist students with additional expenses based on the interruptions caused by COVID-19.
Eligibility Criteria (Inclusive):
- Be a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in 1 or more credit hours for the Spring 2020 semester as of March 13, 2020, when the national emergency was declared.
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (e.g., be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds such as the Pell Grant, Direct Loans, etc.).
- Have submitted a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 aid year.
- Have received a federal financial aid award that was disbursed for the Spring 2020 semester.
- Have no outstanding items requested by Salem State University that are required to determine eligibility.
- Have incurred eligible expenses related to COVID-19.
The table immediately below illustrates the distribution of funds to eligible students.
|
|
|
Total CARES funding |
$3,256,409.00 |
|
|
EFC Band |
Award Amount |
Number of Recipients |
Total Amount |
% of total CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students |
|
Between $0 to $10,000 |
$750.00 |
2,955 |
$2,216,250.00 |
68.06% |
|
Between $10,001 to $20,000 |
$500.00 |
666 |
$333,000.00 |
10.23% |
|
Greater than $20,000 |
$150.00 |
705 |
$105,750.00 |
3.25% |
|
|
TOTALS |
4,326 |
$2,655,000.00 |
81.53% |
|
|
|
Amount to be awarded by application |
$601,409.00 |
18.47% |
Methodology:
The award amounts for the block grants are based on estimates that all students on average have encountered expenses due to the disruption of COVID-19 at a minimum that equal $750.00 which is about $100 per week of disrupted operations. These expenses include technology costs, food, transportation, course materials, child care expenses, and housing. The intention is to provide CARES Act funding to address students’ expenses based on student’s financial need
Eligible students who incurred additional COVID-19-related expenses beyond the amount of the block grant they received may apply for additional CARES Act funds through the CARES Act Emergency Grant award; the application was available on June 4, 2020.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Salem State University notified recipients of their emergency financial aid block grant via the student’s official salemstate.edu issued email address.
Additional directions or guidance is provided through FAQs on the Salem State University website.