CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting(HEERF II)

The recently passed CARES Act directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

  1. 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.
    1. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock submitted the Certification and Agreement to the US Department of Education on 4-22-2020. An additional application for CRRSAA was not required for institutions that received funding from HEERF(I).
  2. 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.
    1. UA Little Rock expects to receive $4,015,255 to distribute to students via the CRRSA to use toward emergency financial aid for students.
  3. 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).
    1. As of July 1, 2021, UA Little Rock has disbursed $3,290,844.78 of the funds received from CRRSA.
  4. 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 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act .
    1. UA Little Rock has an estimated 6,100 students eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
  5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act .
    1. As of July 1, 2021, UA Little Rock has awarded funds via CRRSA to 4,745 students.
  6. 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.

    UA Little Rock recognizes some students may have hardships beyond what can be addressed through the formula-based approach (CARES Act Direct Aid for Undergraduates). Further, it is understood that graduate students, including the Bowen School of Law and the Clinton School of Public Service, experience hardships due to COVID-19 and should have the option to apply for emergency financial aid grants. 

    For specific instances where inadequate or no funding was awarded to students through the CARES Act Direct Aid for Undergraduates, UA Little Rock will have an application and review approach for all eligible students by which students may seek assistance through the CARES Act Aid Application.

    In compliance with the CARES Act, students (undergraduates and graduates) must meet the following requirements to be eligible to receive funding:

    • Eligible student per the U.S. Department of Education guidance.
    • If a student submitted a valid FAFSA for the academic year 2020-21, then the student may receive emergency financial aid grants.
    • Students must be meeting the UA Little Rock Satisfactory Academic Progress policy
    • Enrolled as degree-seeking students as of February 2, 2021.
    • Students must agree that the funds will be used for “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).”
    • An application has been built that will allow students from all academic levels to apply for additional funding via CARES Act. Students from all academic levels will use the same form. 
  7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.