Department of Education Reporting Requirement

CERTIFICATION

Hood College signed and returned a Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on May 13, 2020 stating that no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act will provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

AWARD

Hood College received $632,642 (50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1)) from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the College’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

FUNDS DISTRIBUTED

As of January 14, 2021 a total of $632,642 Emergency Financial Aid Grants has been distributed to 930 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 

FUNDS RECEIVED 

Currently 930 students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

There are 1,098 Hood College students who are 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.

METHOD USED TO DETERMINE STUDENTS ELIGIBILITY 

Per CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants guidelines, Hood College distributed $556,750 in funding directly to students who incurred costs due to the coronavirus and the subsequent suspension of on-campus operations.  Such costs included food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care.  The method used to determine which students would receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and the amount included the following considerations: (1) only including students who have filed a FAFSA ensures that they are Title IV eligible; (2) Pell-eligible students have more financial need; (3) those earning a bachelor’s degree were impacted more by the campus disruption; and (4) an application process is needed for those with special conditions not captured by the formula used for the majority of the funds. 

Additionally, an online application process was open to undergraduate and graduate students from June 1 – June 15, 2020. All students had to have filed a FAFSA in order to be eligible. The College formed a committee to make determinations. Individual awards were based on demonstrated need and were capped at $2,000. Awards totaling $58,423 were awarded to 49 students. On July 15, $8,500 were awarded to five students who demonstrated need. On October 6 and October 15, $3,500 were awarded to two students who demonstrated need. On November 24, $3,900 were awarded to three students who demonstrated need. On December 15, $1,300 was awarded to one student who demonstrated need. On January 14, $269 was awarded to one student who demonstrated need. 

INSTRUCTIONS/DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO STUDENTS

The following communication has been provided to students via email:

“This week the College received funding from the Department of Education’s CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Per CARES guidelines, the funds will be distributed to all students who are eligible for federal aid (requirement of the Act) and incurred costs due to the coronavirus and the subsequent suspension of on-campus operations. To ensure the fast, efficient and compliant disbursement of these funds, the CARES Act committee created a policy for the distribution of the funds such that all students who filed a FAFSA (to ensure they are Title IV eligible) will receive a portion of the funding. Checks will be mailed to students on May 15. In addition, a portion of the funds was retained for undergraduate and graduate students not captured in the original distribution. Information on applying for these remaining funds will be sent to students in the next two weeks. These funds, like the stimulus relief funds, are tax-free.”

The following communication has been provided via USPS to students receiving grants:

“Enclosed please find your disbursement from the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 

These funds are being disbursed directly to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses. The IRS currently considers the CARES Act grants as “federal disaster assistance”, which excludes the funds from being taxed. Please consult with your tax advisor, though, for additional guidance. 

If the COVID-19 related expenses you incurred as result of campus closure exceed this disbursement, a limited amount of additional funding is available on an application-only basis. For students who qualify for CARES Act funding, the application period will be open June 1 - 10.

*By cashing this check, I agree that I have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.”

The following information accompanied the checks disbursed after the application process:

Your application for CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund’s was received and reviewed.  

Enclosed please find a check in the amount of CARES Act funds approved from your application.

If you have any questions, please contact Denise Watkins at watkins@hood.edu

Updated: January 14, 2021

Updated: December 15, 2020

Updated: November 24, 2020

Updated: October 26, 2020

Updated: October 10, 2020

Updated: July 22, 2020

Updated: June 26, 2020

Updated: May 15, 2020

Updated: May 12, 2020

CERTIFICATION

Effective January 19, 2021, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) allocated to Hood College $1,998,556 of which $632,642 could only be used for emergency student aid to assist eligible students with cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. Once the CRRSAA Act was passed into law, the U.S. Department of Education provided guidance to the college on how to implement the CRRSAA Act, and to whom funds may be provided. These funds are prioritized for students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.

AWARD

Hood College received $632,642 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA).

FUNDS DISTRIBUTED

As of  June 30, 2021 a total of $610,400 Emergency Financial Aid Grants has been distributed to 787 students under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA. 

FUNDS RECEIVED

Currently 787 students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA.

METHODS USED TO DETERMINE STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Per CRRSSA Emergency Financial Aid Grants guidelines, Hood College distributed $583,350 to costs “that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health) or child care.” In awarding the grants, Hood College  must prioritize students with exceptional financial need; however, the student does not have to be Pell eligible even though this could be a useful metric.  The bulk of funds was allocated based on the expected family contribution (EFC) of students as calculated from a completed FAFSA, with a small balance available for allocation via an application process. EFC is the most readily available metric in “prioritizing students with exceptional financial need.” Awards would be distributed to undergraduate students based on the following EFC bands:

Awards would be distributed to graduate students using the same EFC bands but with different award amounts:

An online application process was open to undergraduate and graduate students. All students had to have filed a FAFSA in order to be eligible. The College formed a committee to make determinations. Each application was reviewed on its own merits with maximum awards as follows:

Between May 2 and June 30, $29,950 has been awarded to students who demonstrated need.

INSTRUCTIONS/DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO STUDENTS

The following communication has been provided to students:

We are pleased to inform you that you will receive an emergency cash grant of (AMOUNT) from The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

The funds derived from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) are aimed at helping students during the pandemic. The funds may be used for any portion of a student's cost of attendance (e.g., tuition and fees, room and board, cost of books, supplies, transportation), or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

To receive the grant, you need to make a selection [at the link below] of how you want to receive the funds:

Option 1

Credit my student account to help pay my current bill. Any credit balance will be refunded to you.

Option 2

Credit my student account to help pay my current bill AND future bill.
Any credit balance for the Spring 2021 semester will be held and applied to your next semester bill.

Option 3

Disburse the funds to me via check. If you are a residential student, the check will be picked up in the mailroom.
If you are a commuter student, the check will be mailed to the address on your student account.
If your address is not correct, please update your address in Self-Service by 04/16/2021

Option 4

I do not accept these funds.

By selecting an option above, you agree the funds will be used to cover your cost of attendance as listed above, or for emergency costs that arise due to corornavirus or child care.

To make your selection please select the following link: Accept/Decline these funds.

Updated:

July 1, 2021

June 29, 2021

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The CRRSAA established additional funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) to address needs directly related to the coronavirus.

Similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with HEERF I funds, the CRRSAA - HEERF II funds are distributed as grants with appropriate use stipulations. The CRRSAA student grants must be used to cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus.  Cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, room, board, books and supplies, personal and travel expenses.  Emergency costs can include items such as health care (including mental health care), or childcare. Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell grants.

How will the CRRSAA funds be distributed to students?

Our goal is to distribute the CRRSAA student grants as widely and equitably as possible, while prioritizing students with exceptional need.   A formula-based process will be used to distribute the bulk of CRRSAA funds to students. However, a portion will be available via an application process whereby students can request funds based on emergency costs incurred due to the coronavirus.

What is the formula that will be used to distribute the funds, and how will students be notified? 

Funds will be distributed based on the student’s “Expected Family Contribution” (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA. All students who are eligible for funding will receive an award notification sent to their Hood email. 

How much funding will each eligible student receive?

Will I need to repay the CRRSAA student grant?

No.  These are grants and do not have to be repaid. 

Will any grant I receive from CRRSAA affect my other financial aid?

No. Any amount you receive from CRRSAA will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.

If I receive assistance from the CRRSAA, is it considered financial aid? 

No, grant funds from the CRRSAA Fund are not considered financial aid awarded to you and will not affect your financial aid package.

I incurred emergency costs due to the pandemic. How do I apply for reimbursement funds?

Hood will award a portion of the CRRSAA funds via an application process. Applications will be available beginning April 2, 2021, and will remain available until all funds have been awarded.  The application can be found here.

I submitted my application for assistance from the CRRSAA Fund. When can I expect to hear about my application?

Once the application has been submitted, please allow approximately two weeks for us to process your request.  You will receive an email message after your application has been reviewed.

What if I am not eligible, or attempt to apply but do not receive a CRRSAA grant, but still have financial need?

Students who  do not receive a CRRSAA grant, but still have financial need, should contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@hood.edu.

CERTIFICATION

Hood College signed and returned a Certification and Agreement for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 on June 7, 2021 stating that it would provide 50% of the portion of its allocation that is based on formula factors from CRRSAA section 314(a)(1)(A)-(D) and 100 percent of the portion of its allocation that is based on formula factors from CRRSAA section 314(a)(1)(E)-(F).

Effective May 18, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP) allocated to Hood College $3,534,094 of which $1,767,048 could only be used for emergency student aid to assist eligible students with cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. Once the CRRSAA Act and ARP were passed into law, the U.S. Department of Education provided guidance to the college on how to implement the CRRSAA and ARP Acts, and to whom funds may be provided. These funds are prioritized for students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.

AWARD

Hood College received $1,767,048 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 2003 of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). As of September 30, 2021, Hood College has awarded a total of $7,700 of HEERF as additional emergency financial aid grants to students this quarter. A total of $1,250,742 HEERF student funds have been awarded from the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP.

METHODS USED TO DETERMINE STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

An online application process was open to undergraduate and graduate students. All students had to have filed a FAFSA in order to be eligible. The College formed a committee to make determinations. Decisions were made based on financial need.

INSTRUCTIONS/DIRECTIONS GIVEN TO STUDENTS

We are pleased to inform you that you will receive an emergency cash grant of (AMOUNT) from The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) or the American Recovery Plan (ARP).

The funds derived from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) are aimed at helping students during the pandemic. The funds may be used for any portion of a student's cost of attendance (e.g., tuition and fees, room and board, cost of books, supplies, transportation), or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

To receive the grant, you need to make a selection [at the link below] of how you want to receive the funds:

Option 1

Credit my student account to help pay my current bill. Any credit balance will be refunded to you.

Option 2

Credit my student account to help pay my current bill AND future bill.
Any credit balance for the Spring 2021 semester will be held and applied to your next semester bill.

Option 3

Disburse the funds to me via check. If you are a residential student, the check will be picked up in the mailroom.
If you are a commuter student, the check will be mailed to the address on your student account.
If your address is not correct, please update your address in Self-Service by 04/16/2021

Option 4

I do not accept these funds.

By selecting an option above, you agree the funds will be used to cover your cost of attendance as listed above, or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus or child care.

To make your selection please select the following link: Accept/Decline these funds.

Updated:

October 10, 2021

July 6, 2021

CARES Act HEERF report on institutional funds

CRRSAA And ARP HEERF report on institutional funds

00207600_HEERF_Q32021_100821

00207600_HEERF_Q42021_011022

00207600_HEERF_Q12022_041022

00207600_HEERF Quarterly Report_Q2 2022_7.8.22

00207600_HEERF Quarterly Report_Q3 2022_10.7.22

00207600_HEERF Quarterly Report_Q4 2022_1.6.23

00207600_HEERF Quarterly Report_Q1 2023_4.6.23

00207600_HEERF Quarterly Report_Q2 2023_7.10.23

HEERF 2021 Q4 Student Aid Report 20220110

HEERF 2022 Q1 Student Aid Report 20220410