CARES Act/HEERF Public Notice

CARES Act/HEERF Public Notice

(updated   3/30/2022 )

Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Pfeiffer University has applied for and received COVID-10 emergency relief support through the Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) Fund. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260), and the American Rescue Plan legislation represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

The following update is as of March 30, 2022.

1. CARES Act (HEERF I)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, was passed by Congress on March 27, 2020 to provide fast, direct economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately $14 billion of total aid was given to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF. This funding is also referred to as CARES HEERF I, to distinguish it from subsequent Federal legislation that provides relief funding.

To date, Pfeiffer University was allocated $1,274,850 in CARES HEERF I support. In compliance with Federal guidelines, we have used this funding for direct student aid in the form of modest emergency aid grants. We also utilized the funding for Room and Board adjustments for residential students impacted in Spring 2020. Additionally, Pfeiffer leveraged this funding to establish a COVID-19 Student Relief Fund for students with additional financial needs due to pandemic impacts.

2. CRRSAA (HEERF II)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on December 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education.

To date, Pfeiffer University was allocated $2,087,406 in CRRSAA (HEERF II)
support. In compliance with Federal guidelines, we have allocated this funding for direct student aid and to mitigate the financial impact to the University from the COVID-19 pandemic.

3. American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Pub. L. 117-2). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and represents the third stream of funding (HEERF III) appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

To date, Pfeiffer University was allocated $3,307,014 in HEERF III support. In compliance with Federal guidelines, we have allocated this funding for direct student aid and to mitigate the financial impact to the University from the COVID-19 pandemic, such as technology expenses to support remote learning. In compliance with Federal requirements, we also have allocated a portion of funding to mitigate spread of the COVID-19 virus.

4. Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)

Federal HEERF III funding also included allocations for colleges and universities through the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). To date, Pfeiffer University was allocated $295,104 in SIP support. In compliance with Federal requirements, Pfeiffer is using its SIP award for direct student aid support and to help defray expenses incurred by the University, such as technology costs.

Additionally, in accordance with U.S. Department of Education public reporting requirements for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP) section (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs:

  1. We acknowledge that Pfeiffer University signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  2. Pfeiffer has received a total of $2,315,056 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA ($637,425) and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) ($1,677,631) programs.
  3. The university distributed a total of $2,315,056 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the CRRSAA ($637,425) and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) ($1,677,631) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
  4. A total of 311 students at the institution were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA program. A total of 1,122 students were eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs; we have completed the processing of these funds accordingly.
  5. A total of 311 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the CRRSAA program. A total of 1,122 students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
  6. Pfeiffer University uses the following method to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs:

    For the CRRSAA program, Pfeiffer disbursed emergency financial aid grants via an application process in Spring 2021 to students who had EFCs in the Pell-eligible range. Full-time students who applied were offered $2,000 and part-time students were offered $1,000.

    Regarding the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) program, to ensure funding is awarded to students with the highest need as directed by federal guidance, ARP HEERF III emergency student grants are awarded based on the individual student’s estimated family contribution (EFC) as follows:
$0 – $5,887 EFC$5,888-$16,001 EFC$16,002+ or No FASFA
Full-Time$2,443$858$511
Part-Time$1,179$578$383
  1. In terms of instructions, directions, or guidance provided by Pfeiffer to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, President Bullard sent initial guidance on CARES Act funding to all (809) students receiving an award via email on May 8, 2020. Since that time, students who receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants have received notifications and details via the university’s established forms process. We also will send an email communication from the Business Office notifying students for the most recent funding received by the university.

The University is in compliance with required Federal quarterly reporting.