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HEERF is an acronym for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 

HEERF Funds will be distributed directly to students through Chase Bank’s QuickPay®. Funds will not be disbursed to your ����ר�� student account. You will be required to set up a Chase QuickPay® account if you have not done so already. However, you are NOT required to have a valid checking or savings account with Chase Bank in order to use the QuickPay® service. Anyone with a U.S. bank account can receive money through Chase QuickPay® regardless of which bank they use. When funds are ready, you will receive an email from ����ר�� and a separate email from Chase with instructions on how to accept the funds.

Your Federal EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, is calculated as part of the FAFSA process and is used to determine eligibility for need-based federal, state, and institutional aid programs. The EFC can be found on the Student Aid Report (SAR) that the student receives after filing the FAFSA. To view your Federal EFC or view your full Student Aid Report, go to the FAFSA website. 

QuickPay® is the easiest and by far the fastest way to receive your money. If you don’t have a U.S. bank account or encounter other problems, contact the Division of Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu or 214-768-3417.

You will receive the payment directly through Chase QuickPay®. If you wish, you may then use that money to make a payment to your ����ר�� student account with .

����ר�� recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating a financial burden for many of our students and their families. There are additional sources of assistance available to students who did not necessarily qualify for HEERF assistance, but continue to experience financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Student's with additional needs should contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine eligibility for emergency assistance from programs that are not funded through HEERF.

In addition, the Office of Student Support is also accepting requests for emergency funds though the program. 

It is our understanding that HEERF funds are not counted as , taxable income, or untaxed income. However, students should refer to for guidance and given through educational institutions. 

Questions related to HEERF funding should be directed to the Division of Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu.

����ר�� Distributes $2.3 million in CARES Act/ Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I) to Students.

Direct payments will support low-income undergraduate and graduate students

����ר�� is directing $2.3 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support nearly 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students with high financial needs. This money from the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) will help eligible students facing significant financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The one-time payments of either $1,500 or $1,000 will go to the approximately 15 percent of ����ר�� students who have the greatest demonstrated financial need in their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The larger grants will go to those students eligible for the federal Pell Grant or with an equivalent Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

These funds are intended to help ����ר��’s most financially vulnerable students with expenses associated with disruptions from the pandemic, including such factors as loss of employment, travel restrictions and unexpected changes in housing.

Students eligible for the HEERF funds will receive emails from both ����ר�� and Chase Bank with instructions for using Chase QuickPay® to receive funds. All eligible students with a U.S. bank account can access money through Chase QuickPay® regardless of which bank they use.

Eligible students must be currently enrolled at ����ר�� as of April 30, 2020, and must have received need-based aid for the Spring 2020 term. This aid could include need-based grants, federal loans or earnings from the federal or state college work study program.

According to federal guidelines, most non-U.S. citizens and students in degree programs that were being delivered online before the pandemic (e.g., MSDS, Cybersecurity, and Online MBA) are not eligible for these grants.

����ר�� recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic is creating a financial burden for the families of many students who do not necessarily qualify for federal aid. ����ר�� is working closely with individual students and families to ensure they can register for classes and carry through with their plans to return to ����ר�� in the fall. Students with additional needs should complete a request for emergency funding through .

Alumni and friends who wish to donate money to support students impacted by hardships surrounding COVID-19 may give to the .

Students with further questions about need-based financial aid should contact the Division of Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu or 214-768-3417.

1. On April 15, 2020, the University signed and submitted the Certification and Agreement for section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students and 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.
2. ����ר�� has received a total of $4,598,259 in funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
3. As of July 6, 2020, ����ר�� has distributed $2,299,130, half of the entire amount of funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, as emergency grants to undergraduate and graduate students of the University.
4. As of April 30, 2020, ����ר�� had 1,654 students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and therefore eligible to receive Student Emergency Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
5. As of October 16, 2020, a total of 1,654 students had received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
6. Following the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Acts are distributed to ����ר�� students with the greatest demonstrated financial need and potential for financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
   • enrolled as of April 30 for the Spring 2020 term.
   • eligible to receive Federal Title IV funding as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   • received Federal Title IV grants or loans for the Spring 2020 term.
   • enrolled in a campus-based academic program (Online programs are not eligible).
   • The amount awarded is based on the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Eligible students with an official EFC up to $5,576 received $1,500. Eligible students with an official EFC between $5,577 and $10,000 received $1,000.
7. On April 30, 2020, notification was sent to the eligible students describing how the funds would be distributed along with instructions describing how to obtain the funds.

Copies of the communications to eligible students can be provided upon request to the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.

����ר�� Distributes $2.3 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) as authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)

Direct payments will support low-income undergraduate and graduate students

����ר�� is directing an additional $2.3 million in funds from the Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) to support over 1800 undergraduate and graduate students with high financial need. This money from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) is the second major financial relief package specifically for high need students facing significant financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Similar to the HEERF I disbursements, this one-time payment of either $1,500 or $1,000 will go to students who have the greatest financial need as demonstrated on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The larger grants will go to those students eligible for the federal Pell Grant or with an equivalent Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

These funds are intended to help ����ר��’s most financially vulnerable students with expenses associated with disruptions from the pandemic, including expenses resulting from a loss of employment, travel restrictions, and unexpected changes in housing as well as remaining tuition and fee charges. 

Eligible students will receive emails from both ����ר�� and Chase Bank with instructions for using Chase QuickPay® to receive funds. All eligible students with a U.S. bank account can access money through Chase QuickPay® regardless of which bank they use. 

Eligible students must be currently enrolled at ����ר�� as of March 29, 2021, and must have received need-based aid or a Federal/State loan for the Spring 2021 term. This aid could include need-based grants, federal loans or earnings from the federal or state college work study program. 

����ר�� recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create a financial burden for the families of many students who do not necessarily qualify for federal aid. Students with additional needs should complete a request for emergency funding through .

Alumni and friends who wish to donate money to support students impacted by hardships surrounding COVID-19 may give to the .

If you have additional questions about the CRRSAA-HEERF II financial relief package, contact the Division of Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu or 214-768-3417.

On April 15, 2020, the University signed and submitted the Certification and Agreement to provide emergency grants to students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I) as authorized by section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The terms of the initial HEERF I agreement were subsequently approved and extended to cover the HEERF II allocation as authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, (CRRSAA).

The following information fulfills the quarterly reporting requirement for the student portion of the HEERF II allocation.

• ����ר�� acknowledges and accepts the terms of the Certification and Agreement signed and submitted on April 15, 2020.
• ����ר�� received a total HEERF II allocation of $6,580,843 from the U.S. Department of Education. Based on the terms of the agreement, ����ר�� was required to distribute no less than $2,299,130 as emergency student grants.
• On March 29, 2021, the University offered $2,595,000 in emergency grants to 1,824 eligible students. These grants were funded from the following sources.
  • $2,300,000 in HEERF II student allocation to 1,614 students.
  • $295,000 in institutional funding to 210 students.
• As of April 27, 2021, all 1,614 students have accepted the HEERF II emergency grant funds.
• Following the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the HEERF II student allocation were distributed to students with the greatest demonstrated financial need and potential for financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic. Eligible students met the following criteria:
  • Enrolled as of March 29, 2021 for the Spring 2021 term.
  • Must have completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Received Title IV grants or Federal/State loans for the spring 2021 term.
    • Undergraduate students must have need-based aid disbursed to their student account for the Spring 2021 term as of March 29, 2021, or has earnings during the Spring 2021 term from a Federal or State work study program.
    • Graduate and professional students must have net proceeds from a Federal or State student loan program disbursed to the student account for the Spring 2021 term.
  • The amount awarded is based on the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Eligible students with an official EFC up to $5,711 received $1,500. Eligible students with an official EFC of $5,712 up to $10,000 received $1,000.
• On March 29, 2021 notification was sent to the eligible students with information on how the funds would be distributed along with step-by-step instructions to obtain the funds.

Copies of the communications sent to eligible students will be provided upon request.

CRRSAA/HEERF II Institutional Portion Reporting

• 1st Quarter 2021 (January 1, 2021 - March 31, 2021)
• 2nd Quarter 2021 Insitutional Report Revised

HEERF II funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on December 27, 2020.

The CRRSAA authorizes $21.2 billion to higher education institutions to ensure learning continues for students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the guidance received from U.S. Department of Education, funds received as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) will be distributed to ����ר�� students who have the greatest demonstrated financial need and potential for financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:

• Enrolled as of March 29, 2021 for the Spring 2021 term.
• Must have completed and submitted the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Received Federal Title IV grants or Federal/State loans for the spring 2021 term.
  • Undergraduate students must have need-based aid disbursed to their student account for the Spring 2021 as of March 29, 2021, or has earnings during the Spring 2021 term from a Federal or State work study program. 
  • Graduate and professional students must have net proceeds from a Federal or State student loan program disbursed to their student account for the Spring 2021 term.

Award amount is based on the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Eligible students with an official EFC up to $5,711 will receive $1500. Eligible students with an official EFC between $5,712 and $10,000 will receive $1,000.

����ר�� is working hard to distribute these funds as quickly as possible. We anticipate being able to notify students of funds availability by April 12, 2021. Once your Chase QuickPay® account has been set up, and funds accepted, your funds could be deposited and available for same-day use, depending on your bank. However, we ask that you allow three business days before contacting our offices.

On April 15, 2020, the University signed and submitted the Certification and Agreement to provide emergency grants to students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I) as authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The terms of the initial HEERF I agreement were subsequently approved and extended to cover the HEERF II allocation as authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), as well as the HEERF III allocation as authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The University acknowledges, accepts, and remains fully committed to disseminating these funds in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Certification and Agreement. 

Grant Eligibility and Selection Criteria

As with previous HEERF allocations, institutions are instructed to prioritize students with exceptional need, such as undergraduate students who currently receive a Federal Pell Grant or have documented circumstances resulting in extraordinary financial hardship. Given the HEERF III student allocation is more than the HEERF I & II allocations combined, the University has implemented three initiatives to distribute these funds. Using guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, the HEERF III student allocation will be distributed to students with the greatest demonstrated financial need and potential for financial hardship due to the ongoing pandemic. The University is committed to distributing payments directly to students using the three following initiatives.  

Block I Grant Initiative – Mass Distribution to all students who met the following criteria

The largest percentage of the HEERF III student allocation has been spent through the Block I Grant initiative. The Block I Grants were distributed in mass on October 14, 2021 to all students who met the following selection criteria. No additional application was required. 

• Enrolled as of October 12, 2021 for the Fall 2021 term.
• Have a 2021-2022 processed FAFSA, with an EFC status of “official”, submitted and received by ����ר�� on or before October 12, 2021.
• Have a calculated EFC of $10,000 or less

Additional requirements:

• Undergraduate Students:
  • Must have at least one need-based aid program awarded and disbursed to their student account for the Fall 2021 term, or
  • Must have earnings during the Fall 2021 term from a federal or state work study program.
• Graduate and Professional Students:
  • Must have net proceeds from a federal, state, or private educational student loan program disbursed to the student account for the Fall 2021 term.

All eligible students received a secure message through the My.����ר�� dashboard message center, which included a link to the Block Grant Recipient webpage. The recipient webpage contained information on the distribution process, along with step-by-step instructions on how to accept the funds. 

Block I Grant Award Amounts and Restrictions: The award amount for both Block Grant initiatives is based on the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as of the date of review.

• Eligible students with an official EFC of 0 – 5,846 receive $3,000.
• Eligible students with an official EFC of 5,847 – 10,000 receive $2,000.

Block II Grant Initiative - Mass Distribution to all students who met the following criteria

• Enrolled in classes for the Spring 2022 term as of February 28, 2022
• Has a 2021-2022 processed FAFSA, with an EFC status of “official”, submitted and received by ����ר�� on or before February 28, 2022
• Did not receive a HEERF III / Block I Grant or a Special Needs Grant
• Has a calculated official EFC of 15,000 or less

Additional Requirements:

• Undergraduate Students:
  • Must have at least one need-based aid program awarded and disbursed to their student account for the Spring 2022 term, or
  • Must have earnings from a federal or state work study program in the current academic year. 
• Graduate and Professional Students
  • Must have net proceeds from a federal, state, or private educational student loan program disbursed to the student account for the Spring 2022 term.

Block II Grant Award Amounts and Restrictions: The award amount is determined by the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as of the date of review.

• Eligible students with an official EFC of 0 – 5,846 receive $3,000
• Eligible students with an official EFC of 5,847 – 15,000 receive $2,000.

Recipients received an award notification on the My.����ר�� student dashboard, which included a link to the Block Grant Recipient webpage. The recipient webpage contained information on the distribution process, along with step-by-step instructions on how to accept the funds. Students may only receive one of the HEERF III block grants. Multiple block grants are not permitted. 

Special Needs Grant Initiative

����ר�� is no longer accepting applications for the Special Needs Grant.  All funds have been distributed. 

����ר�� acknowledges and accepts the terms of the Certification and Agreement, signed and submitted on April 15, 2020, to provide emergency grants to students with funds received through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) as authorized by the American Rescue Plan.

����ר�� received a HEERF III allocation of $11,890,080 of which $5,945,103 is to be used for direct support to students (Student Portion) and $5,944,977 for institutional expenses (Institutional Portion).

Cumulative distribution of HEERF III funds to students (Based on funds drawn as of March 31, 2022)

HEERF III Initiative	Amount Spent	Number of Recipients
HEERF III Block I Grants:	$4,899,000	174
HEERF III Special Needs:	$23,994	Less than 10
HEERF III Block II Grants:	$707,000	299
Total HEERF III - Student Portion	$5,629,994

Detailed Spending by Quarter:

First Quarter 2022 (January 1, 2022 – March 31, 2022)

• Total Q1 2022 Spending: $707,000
  • Block II Grant Initiative - $707,000 
    • Using the Block II selection criteria defined above, it was determined that 500 students potentially qualified for HEERF III, block II funds. 
    • As of March 31, 2022, ����ר�� had distributed a Block II Grant to 299 students by electronic ACH. 

Fourth Quarter 2021 Spending - (October 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021)

• Total Q4 Spending: $4,910,100
  • Block I Grant Initiatives - $4,899,000 
    • Using the Block I selection criteria described above, it was determined that 1751 students potentially qualified for HEERF III funds. 
    • As of December 31, 2021, ����ר�� had distributed $4,899,000 in emergency grants to a total of 1,714 students by electronic ACH or paper check
  • Special Needs Grant - $11,100
    • ����ר�� has distributed a combined total of $11,100 in Special Needs Grants to less than ten students.
    • Eligibility determined case by case through the Special Needs application process described above.

Third Quarter 2021 Spending (July 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021)

• Total Q3 2021 Spending: $12,894
  • Special Needs Grant - $12,894 
    • Eligibility determined case by case through the Special Needs application process described above.
    • As of Sept. 30, 2021, ����ר�� had distributed a combined total of $12,894 in Special Needs Grants to less than ten students.

First Quarter 2022 Institutional Report (January 1, 2022 - March 31, 2022)

Fourth Quarter 2021 Institutional Report (October 1, 2021-December 31, 2021)

Third Quarter 2021 Institutional Report (July 1, 2021 - September 30, 2021)

Third Quarter 2021 Institutional Report Revised 1/7/22

Third Quarter revisions made to the following fields:

• Changed the Total Amount of Funds Awarded to equal the cumulative amount of HEERF I, II, and III Institutional Funds.
• Added explanations for all categories regardless of amount claimed
• Updated the “Date of Report” field to reflect the date the revised report was posted
• Corrected the file naming convention

����ר�� recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create a financial burden for the families of many students who do not necessarily qualify for federal aid. Students with additional needs should complete a request for emergency funding through .

Alumni and friends who wish to donate money to support students impacted by hardships surrounding COVID-19 may give to the .

If you have additional questions about the CRRSAA-HEERF II financial relief package, contact the Division of Enrollment Services at enrol_serv@smu.edu or 214-768-3417.

Copies of the communications sent to eligible students will be provided upon request.