HEERF, CRRSAA and CARES Act Reports

HEERF III Student Aid Quarterly Report – March 2022

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805 (HEERF III)
Report No. 4: Quarterly Report

Introduction

On March 11, 2021, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) was authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2 and signed into law. This report provides details on the award Cedar Crest College received under the ARP for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Cedar Crest College, reviewed, signed, and returned the U.S. Department of Education’s Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020 for the initial HEERF I award under the CARES Act. The College received the new award documentation for the HEERF III award on May 18, 2021.

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $2,021,607 for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on March 31, 2022, Cedar Crest College has awarded $2,005,240 in direct grants to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive ARP emergency financial aid grants is 1300. Of those students, 1,084 have received an award as of March 31, 2022.
Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College carefully reviewed the American Rescue Plan and the guidance provided by the United States Department of Education specifically to determine the requirements applicable for the distribution of the available emergency resources to students. The ARP Act provided emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants to be used for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as: tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental health), and child care.

The distribution of funds was based upon exceptional financial need. In order to determine financial need, the College used information gathered to assess financial need with a priority being given to students who are PELL eligible. Students who had experienced a loss in income due to the loss of employment as a result of the pandemic were eligible for additional aid and were encouraged to reach out directly to Student Financial Services.
On or before February 4, 2022, the College distributed HEERF III emergency grants to students who are actively enrolled for Spring 2022 semester in a degree- or certificate-seeking program as of that date. Emergency grants were not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission – (included to receive direct grant since students have need)
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before January 28, 2022

Students who met the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by January 28, 2022, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

TIER I – Pell Eligible – $2,500
TIER II – State-Grant Eligible – $1,750
TIER III – All Other Eligible Students – $1,000

A second emergency grant was provided to the above eligible students in the amount of $330 on or before March 11, 2022.

The College has committed to utilizing all of the available student emergency funds in accordance with the CRRSAA Act and pertinent guidance.
Grants will be paid via application to the students account, electronic funds transfer (where possible) or via check.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

The following messages were communicated to students via e-mail.

Subject: COVID-19 HEERF III Student Grant Distribution
Date: January 18, 2022

Dear Students:
We are pleased to provide information regarding the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 that was passed on May 11, 2021. The ARP Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

Cedar Crest has reviewed the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for distributing the student portion of funds and is adhering to the request that distribution of funds should be based upon exceptional financial need. In order to determine financial need, the College will use information gathered to assess financial need with a priority being given to students who are PELL eligible. Students who have experienced a loss in income due to the loss of employment as a result of the pandemic may be eligible for additional aid and should reach out directly to Student Financial Services.

On or before February 4, 2022, the College will distribute HEERF III emergency grants to students who are actively enrolled for Spring 2022 semester in a degree- or certificate-seeking program as of that date. Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before January 28, 2022

Students who meet the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by January 28, 2022, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

TIER I – Pell Eligible – $2,500
TIER II – State-Grant Eligible – $1,750
TIER III – All Other Eligible Students – $1,000

Grants will be released on or about February 4, 2022. All students must complete the HEERF III Affidavit Form located on the My.CedarCrest home page in order to receive this distribution. This form is required in order to be in compliance with federal law established under HEERF III. Students who have not completed the form will not receive the distribution until it is completed, which will delay access to these emergency grants. HEERF III also provides students with the option to use the emergency grant to help assist with outstanding student account balances. Though students are not required to use these funds to pay outstanding balances, they may choose to do so by electing their preference on the HEERF III Affidavit Form. HEERF III funds are not guaranteed and will be awarded in compliance with the outline above until all funds have been exhausted.

Additional information will be found online at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm. For questions regarding the ARP Act emergency grants, please contact Student Financial Services at .

Subject: HEERF III Additional Distribution
Date: March 2, 2022

Good Afternoon,
Thank you for prompt response regarding available emergency financial aid grants through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 that was passed on May 11, 2021. Because you were eligible to receive the first allocation you are now eligible to receive an additional $330 in emergency financial aid grants. This distribution will occur on or before March 11, 2022 using the information provided in the HEERF III Affidavit Form. The distribution method will be the same as the first allocation of HEERF III emergency grants.

You are not required to do anything additional. As a reminder, the ARP Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

Quarterly Report for Institutional Aid and SIP – March 2022

HEERF III Student Aid Quarterly Report – December 2021

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805 (HEERF III)
Report No. 3: Quarterly Report

Introduction

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $2,021,607 for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on December 31, 2021, Cedar Crest College has not yet awarded direct grants to students using these funds. The College is currently analyzing how to best provide this aid to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The College is currently identifying the total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive ARP emergency financial aid grants. As such, no students have received an award from these funds as of December 31, 2021.
Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College is currently analyzing the best method to distribute these available resources to eligible students.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

The College will announce instructions on the distribution amounts for eligible students as soon as they are available. This announcement, including any instructions, will be made via email to students as well as posted on our website at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm.

Quarterly Report for Institutional Aid and SIP – December 2021

HEERF III Student Aid Quarterly Report – September 2021

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805 (HEERF III)
Report No. 2: Quarterly Report

Introduction

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $2,021,607 for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on September 30, 2021, Cedar Crest College has not yet awarded direct grants to students using these funds. The College is currently analyzing how to best provide this aid to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College is currently analyzing the best method to distribute these available resources to eligible students.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

Quarterly Report for Institutional Aid and SIP – September 2021

Cedar Crest College Single Audit – 2021

HEERF III Quarterly Report – June 2021

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805 (HEERF III)
Report No. 1: Quarterly Report

Introduction

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $2,021,607 for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on June 30, 2021, Cedar Crest College has not yet awarded direct grants to students using these funds. The College is currently analyzing how to best provide this aid to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The College is currently identifying the total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive ARP emergency financial aid grants. As such, no students have received an award from these funds as of June 30, 2021.
Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College is currently analyzing the best method to distribute these available resources to eligible students.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

CRRSAA Quarterly Report – June 2021

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805 (HEERF II/CRRSAA)
Report No. 2: Quarterly Report

Introduction

On December 27, 2020, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and signed into law. This report provides details on the award Cedar Crest College received under the CRRSAA for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $763, 209 for distribution to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on June 30, 2021, Cedar Crest College has awarded $763,209.00 in direct grants to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive CRRSAA emergency financial aid grants is 1,245. Of those students, 892 have received an award as of June 30, 2021.

Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College carefully reviewed the CRRSAA Act and the guidance provided by the United States Department of Education specifically to determine the requirements applicable for the distribution of the available emergency resources to students. The CRRSAA Act provided funding to institutions to provide emergency grants to students using the same model established through the CARES Act. CRRSAA made several changes that differ from the CARES Act such as allowing more flexibility on the allowable uses of funds. Students may use the grant toward the following expenses:

Any component of their cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as: tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental health), and child care.

Students receiving HEERF II funding must acknowledge that the receipt of such funds will be used for the allowable costs noted above.
In order for the College to determine financial need, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the College required a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA to be on file for the spring 2021 term. Students who did not have a FAFSA on file would be permitted to submit a FAFSA to determine financial need.

The College will distribute HEERF II emergency grants to students who are actively enrolled in a degree- or certificate-seeking program as of March 24, 2021 using the FAFSA information submitted to prioritize those students with exceptional financial need. The College has determined that students with exceptional financial need are students who qualify as Pell-eligible. Eligible students are required to complete the HEERF II Affidavit Form electronically indicating that the funds will be used for allowable costs noted above as well as indicate to the College the preference of a direct distribution of funds or an application of funds to an outstanding student balance.

Students who met the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by April 16, 2021, will be provided a one-time emergency grant as follows:

Pell eligible student – $900
Non-Pell eligible student – $500

Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Students who have not submitted a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA
certain non-US citizens as determined by federal law (international students, undocumented students, and DACA recipients)
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before March 24, 2021
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress as required by Title IV funding regulations

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

The following message was communicated to students via e-mail on March 19, 2021:

Subject: CRRSAA HEERF II Grant Information for students

Dear Students,

We are pleased to provide information regarding the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act that was passed on December 27, 2020. The CRRSAA Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
Tuition
Food
Housing
Health care (including mental health)
Child care

Cedar Crest has reviewed the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for distributing the student portion of funds and is adhering to the request that distribution of funds should be based upon exceptional financial need. In order for the College to determine financial need, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA must be on file for the spring 2021 term. If you do not have a FAFSA on file, you can still file the FAFSA. As long as HEERF II funds are available, we will review your financial aid file as part of the request process. Additional documentation may need to be provided in order to establish your eligibility.

On or before March 24, 2021, the College will distribute HEERF II emergency grants to students who are actively enrolled in a degree- or certificate-seeking program as of that date. Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Students who have not submitted a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA
Certain non-US citizens as determined by federal law (international students, undocumented students, and DACA recipients)
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before March 24, 2021
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress

Students who meet the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by April 16, 2021, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

Pell eligible student – $900
Non-Pell eligible student – $500

Grants will be released on or about March 24, 2021. All students must complete the HEERF II Affidavit Form located on the My.CedarCrest home page in order to receive this distribution. This form is required in order to be in compliance with federal law established under HEERF II. Students who have not completed the form will not receive the distribution until it is completed, which will delay access to these emergency grants. HEERF II also provides students with the option to use the emergency grant to help assist with outstanding student account balances. Though students are not required to use these funds to pay outstanding balances, they may choose to do so by electing their preference on the HEERF II Affidavit Form.

As we move forward, additional information will be found online at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm. For questions regarding the CRRSAA Act emergency grants, please contact Student Financial Services at .

The following message was communicated to students via e-mail on June 11, 2021:

Dear Students,

Students who were enrolled in the spring 2021 semester who submitted the required documentation (HEERF II Affidavit and FAFSA) by the required deadline of April 16, 2021 (with an extension through May 23, 2021), and who are currently enrolled in the summer 2021 or fall 2021 semesters as of June 9, 2021, who meet the criteria below are eligible to receive an additional one-time HEERF II grant in the form of direct deposit or check in the amount of $290.

We are pleased to provide information regarding an additional distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) that was passed on December 27, 2020. The CRRSAA Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

In spring 2021, the College made its initial distribution of these funds to eligible students under the guidance received from the U.S. Department of Education. The distribution of funds must be based upon exceptional financial need. In order for the College to determine financial need, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA must be on file for the spring 2021 term. Students who are actively enrolled in a degree or certificate-seeking program during spring 2021 are eligible.

Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Students who have not submitted a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA
Certain non-US citizens as determined by federal law (international students, undocumented students, and DACA recipients)
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before March 24, 2021
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress

In order to fully utilize the resources provided under this Act, the College will distribute the following one-time HEERF II grant, to eligible students who have met the criteria and completed and submitted the HEERF II Affidavit form, in the form of direct deposit or check in the amount of $290.

Grants will be released on or about June 18, 2021.

Further information can be found online at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm. For questions regarding the CRRSAA Act emergency grants, please contact Student Financial Services at .

CRRSAA/HEERF II Student Grant Communication – June 2021

Dear Students,

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Students who have not submitted a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA
Certain non-US citizens as determined by federal law (international students, undocumented students, and DACA recipients)
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before March 24, 2021
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress

Grants will be released on or about June 18, 2021.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade
President
Cedar Crest College

Quarterly Report for Institutional Aid and SIP – June 2021

CARES Act Quarterly Report – April 2021

Cedar Crest College PR/Award No. P425E200805
Report No. 6: Quarterly Report

Introduction

On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the CARES Act (H.R. 748), which provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), found in Section 18004 of the CARES Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” This report provides details on the first award Cedar Crest College received under the HEERF, the funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Cedar Crest College, reviewed, signed, and returned the U.S. Department of Education’s Certification and Agreement for these funds on April 13, 2020, and we received our grant award notification on April 22, 2020. In keeping with the terms of the certification, Cedar Crest College will use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(l) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students.

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $1,526,417 under Section 18004(a)(l) of the HEERF, of which at least $763,209 will be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on March 31, 2021, Cedar Crest College has awarded $763,209.00 in direct grants to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive CARES Act emergency financial aid grants is 936. Of those students, 829 have received an award as of March 31, 2021.

Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College carefully reviewed the CARES Act and the guidance provided by the United States Department of Education specifically to determine the requirements applicable for the distribution of the available emergency resources to students. The CARES Act provided each institution with significant discretion on how to award the emergency assistance. The only statutory requirement was that the funds be used by students to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Shortly after releasing these funds to educational institutions, additional guidance was provided by the Department of Education clarifying eligibility of students. Under these newly issued guidelines, “only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 in the HEA.”

In order to determine eligibility of students under the above guidelines, the College utilized the 2019-20 FAFSA’s submitted by current students enrolled for the spring 2020 semester to determine eligibility. International students, undocumented students, DACA students, fully online students prior to the issuance of the CARES Act, auditing students, visiting students, students receiving tuition remission, students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before May 27, 2020, students with unsatisfactory academic progress and students who graduated the College as of May 9, 2020 have been deemed ineligible for this emergency grant.

Students who did not submit a 2019/20 FAFSA, but who are eligible to file a FAFSA, may be eligible to receive a grant allocation, but are required to submit the attached form no later than June 17, 2020. Students completing the attestation form will be required to confirm that they meet the requirements to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA and, therefore, may be eligible for the emergency grant. Students who did not submit a completed FAFSA for 2019/20 and who now complete the application are not guaranteed the allocation set forth in this Report as the funding received by the College may have already been disbursed.

The College has committed to utilizing all of the available student emergency funds in accordance with the CARES Act and pertinent guidance.

The College’s review determined that all students have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the disruption it has caused to their education, housing, food, technology, course materials, health/child care and other costs. Based upon its analysis, the College determined that its residential students were impacted most significantly due to COVID-19. In this regard, the abrupt closure to our campus as required by the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania left residential students with additional unplanned costs during the middle of their academic semester. Additionally, some of these costs were borne by our commuter students who had to transition to an online academic platform, including adjusting to all of the technology needs that arise with that modality. The College understands that these are much needed resources that will positively
Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

Students who met the above criteria, as of May 27, 2020, will be provided the following one-time emergency grant allocation:

Resident Student: $1,000
Commuter Student: $700

The College has determined that such expenses also include costs related to summer study abroad trips which have not been refunded or reimbursed to eligible students as a result of cancellation by third party providers. If a student was impacted by the cancelation of a summer study abroad trip which has not been refunded or reimbursed, they are required to submit the attached application and required documentation no later than June 17, 2020. There is no guarantee of funding for such requests as the proceeds will be distributed until exhausted as set forth herein.

Grants will be paid via electronic funds transfer (where possible) or via check.

In order to fully utilize the resources provided under this Act, the College also distributed funding to eligible students in fall 2020 in a similar manner with allocations to residential students of $100 and to commuter students of $75. The messaging used to convey this additional distribution to students can be found in the following section.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

The following message was communicated to students via e-mail on May 21, 2020:

Subject: COVID-19 CARES Act Emergency Grant Information

Dear Students:

We are pleased to provide information regarding the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Cedar Crest recently received notification of the amount it would receive under this legislation and has reviewed the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for distributing the portion of those funds mandated to go directly to eligible students, who must have filed a completed 2019/20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Under the eligibility requirements defined by the Department of Education, the following students are ineligible to receive emergency grants:

International students, undocumented students, DACA students
Fully online students prior to the issuance of the CARES Act
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before May 27, 2020
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress
Students who graduated the College as of May 9, 2020

Students who meet eligibility requirements as of May 27, 2020, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

Residential Students – $1000
Commuter Students – $700

Grants will be released on May 27, 2020. Students who did not submit a 2019/20 FAFSA, but who are eligible to file a FAFSA, may be eligible to receive a grant allocation, but are required to submit the attached form (“HEERF Affidavit Form”) no later than June 17, 2020.

We realize that some students may have been affected by costs related to summer study abroad trips that were canceled by third party providers. Eligible students impacted by the cancellation of a summer study abroad trip which has not been refunded or reimbursed can submit the attached application (“Summer Study Abroad Trips HEERF Application”) and required documentation no later than June 17, 2020 for possible funding.

Additionally, students who do not meet the eligibility criteria for a HEERF grant may apply for possible assistance through the College’s internal COVID-19 Emergency Fund by contacting Kyle Dailey, Dean of Students, at .

A detailed report outlining the process for the CARES Act funds distribution can be found online at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm . For questions regarding the CARES Act emergency grants, please contact Student Financial Services at .

The following message was communicated to students via e-mail on November 23, 2020:

Dear Students,

We are pleased to provide information regarding an additional distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

In spring 2020, the College made its initial distribution of these funds to eligible students under the guidance received from the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible, a student must have filed and completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and have been enrolled in the spring 2020 and fall 2020 semester. In order to fully utilize the resources provided under this Act, the College will distribute the following one-time HEERF grant, to eligible students, in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

Residential Students – $100
Commuter Students – $75

Under the eligibility requirements defined by the Department of Education, the following students are
ineligible to receive HEERF emergency grants:

International students, undocumented students, DACA students
Fully online students prior to the issuance of the CARES Act
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before November 29, 2020
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress
Students who graduated the College as of May 9, 2020 or August 28, 2020

Grants will be released no later than November 29, 2020.

A detailed report outlining the process for the CARES Act funds distribution can be found online at https://www.cedarcrest.edu/healthservices/covid.shtm. For questions regarding the CARES Act HEERF grants, please contact Student Financial Services at .

CRRSAA/HEERF II Student Grant Communication – April 2021

Dear Students:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

Cedar Crest has reviewed the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for distributing the student portion of funds and is adhering to the request that distribution of funds should be based upon exceptional financial need. In order for the College to determine financial need, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA must be on file for the spring 2021 term. If you do not have a FAFSA on file, you can still file the FAFSA. As long as HEERF II funds are available, we will review your financial aid file as part of the request process. Additional documentation may need to be provided in order to establish your eligibility.

Students who have not submitted a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA
Certain non-US citizens as determined by federal law (international students, undocumented students, and DACA recipients)
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before March 24, 2021
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress

Students who meet the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by April 16, 2021, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

Pell eligible student – $900
Non-Pell eligible student – $500

Grants will be released on or about March 24, 2021. All students must complete the HEERF II Affidavit Form located on the My.CedarCrest home page in order to receive this distribution. This form is required in order to be in compliance with federal law established under HEERF II. Students who have not completed the form will not receive the distribution until it is completed, which will delay access to these emergency grants. HEERF II also provides students with the option to use the emergency grant to help assist with outstanding student account balances. Though students are not required to use these funds to pay outstanding balances, they may choose to do so by electing their preference on the HEERF II Affidavit Form.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade
President
Cedar Crest College

HEERF III Student Grant Distribution- January 2021

Dear Students:

We are pleased to provide information regarding the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 that was passed on May 11, 2021. The ARP Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) that provides emergency funding to higher education, a portion of which must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the following:

Any component of a student’s cost of attendance
Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- Tuition
- Food
- Housing
- Health care (including mental health)
- Child care

Cedar Crest has reviewed the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education for distributing the student portion of funds and is adhering to the request that distribution of funds should be based upon exceptional financial need. In order to determine financial need, the College will use information gathered to assess financial need with a priority being given to students who are Pell eligible. Students who have experienced a loss in income due to the loss of employment as a result of the pandemic may be eligible for additional aid and should reach out directly to Student Financial Services.

On or before February 4, 2022, the College will distribute HEERF III emergency grants to students who are actively enrolled for the Spring 2022 semester in a degree- or certificate-seeking program as of that date. Emergency grants will not be provided to the following in accordance with the guidance issued and based upon the College’s assessment of exceptional financial need:

Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before January 28, 2022

Students who meet the requirements above, and who have completed the required form by January 28, 2022, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows:

TIER I – Pell Eligible – $2,500
TIER II – State-Grant Eligible – $1,750
TIER III – All Other Eligible Students – $1,000

Grants will be released on or about February 4, 2022. All students must complete the HEERF III Affidavit Form located on the My.CedarCrest home page in order to receive this distribution.This form is required in order to be in compliance with federal law established under HEERF III. Students who have not completed the form will not receive the distribution until it is completed, which will delay access to these emergency grants. HEERF III also provides students with the option to use the emergency grant to help assist with outstanding student account balances. Though students are not required to use these funds to pay outstanding balances, they may choose to do so by electing their preference on the HEERF III Affidavit Form. HEERF III funds are not guaranteed and will be awarded in compliance with the outline above until all funds have been exhausted.

Sincerely,

Dr. Elizabeth M. Meade

President
Cedar Crest College

CARES Act Quarterly Report – January 2021

Cedar Crest College
PR/Award No. P425E200805
Report No. 5: Quarterly Report

Introduction

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Cedar Crest College, reviewed, signed, and returned the U.S. Department of Education’s Certification and Agreement for these funds on April 13, 2020, and we received our grant award notification on April 22, 2020. In keeping with the terms of the certification, Cedar Crest College will 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 directly to students.

Total Award

Cedar Crest College will receive a total of $1,526,417 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the HEERF, of which at least $763,209 will be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruptions due to the novel coronavirus.

Funds Distributed to Date

As of the close of business on December 31, 2020, Cedar Crest College has awarded $752,377.13 in direct grants to students.

Student Eligibility and Recipients to Date

The total number of Cedar Crest College students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and therefore eligible to receive CARES Act emergency financial aid grants is 936. Of those students, 829 have received an award as of December 31, 2020.

Methods Used to Determine which Students Receive Aid and How Much

The College has committed to utilizing all of the available student emergency funds in accordance with the CARES Act and pertinent guidance.

The College’s review determined that all students have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the disruption it has caused to their education, housing, food, technology, course materials, health/child care and other costs. Based upon its analysis, the College determined that its residential students were impacted most significantly due to COVID-19. In this regard, the abrupt closure to our campus as required by the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania left residential students with additional unplanned costs during the middle of their academic semester. Additionally, some of these costs were borne by our commuter students who had to transition to an online academic platform, including adjusting to all of the technology needs that arise with that modality. The College understands that these are much needed resources that will positively impact their persistence towards their college degree. Therefore, the College fairly distributed these resources amongst the eligible students as follows:

Students who met the above criteria, as of May 27, 2020, will be provided the following one-time emergency grant allocation:

Resident Student: $1,000 Commuter Student: $700

Grants will be paid via electronic funds transfer (where possible) or via check.

Instructions of Directions Given to Students

The following message was communicated to studnts via e-mail on May 21, 2020:

Subject: COVID-19 CARES Act Emergency Grant Information

Dear Students:

International students, undocumented students, DACA students
Fully online students prior to the issuance of the CARES Act
Auditing students and visiting students
Students receiving tuition remission
Students who withdrew or took a leave of absence on or before May 27, 2020
Students with unsatisfactory academic progress
Students who graduated the College as of May 9, 2020

Students who meet eligibility requirements as of May 27, 2020, will receive a one-time emergency grant in the form of direct deposit or check as follows: