Coronavirus Relief & Response Supplemental Appropriation
FEDERAL STUDENT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS UNDER THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (CRRSAA) OF 2021
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260) provided the U.S. Department of Education $81.88 billion in support for education. In January 2021, Eastern Michigan University received a formula-based allotment of $23.28 million under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA funds from the U.S. Department of Education (Department). The legislative requirements of CRRSAA require that EMU use $6.89 million of this funding for student emergency relief.
Reporting Requirements for CRRSAA Funding for Students
The following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 314(a)(1) and then updated every to every calendar quarter thereafter.
Since funds were expended completely by the fourth quarter, there will be no further updates to this report.
- 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, all funds allocated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants received under the CRRSAA to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
As of June 30, 2021, Eastern Michigan University has distributed 100% of all CRRSAA funds allocated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- 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.
Eastern Michigan University received $6,866,995 from CRRSAA for the purposes of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CRRSAA as of the date of submission.
Eastern Michigan University has distributed $6,866,995 of Federal funds in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students as of June 30, 2021.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA.
Eastern Michigan University has distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 6,220 students.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA.
Block Grants
During the Winter 2021 semester, CRRSAA Block Emergency Relief Grants of $988 each were provided to students enrolled on March 11, 2021, had a valid 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with Eastern Michigan University, and met one of the following requirements:
Undergraduates who:
- Received a federal Pell grant, or
- Did not receive a federal Pell grant and demonstrated unmet financial need of $1000 or more based on EMU’s federal cost of attendance and the expected family contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA and other forms of financial aid, including loans, or
- Graduate students who received a Direct Unsubsidized Loan.
Emergency Grant Applications
During the Winter 2021 semester, students could apply for a CRRSAA Emergency Relief Grant by submitting an application. Priority consideration was given to students who did not receive a Block Emergency Relief Grant in the current or prior semester.
On the application, applicants were directed to:
- Indicate the expense(s) that they were applying for such as tuition, housing, food, course materials, internet, technology, healthcare (including mental), or child care;
- Select a dollar amount requested, choices were $200, $500, $750, or $1,000; and
- Provide a brief statement explaining how the COVID-19 pandemic caused them hardship related to the expense that they were seeking funding for.
- Amounts were approved/determined based on need, as determined by a valid 2020-2021 FAFSA on file at EMU and receipt of a previous Block Emergency Relief Grant in a prior or current semester.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Block Grants
Students were notified of their eligibility for a CRRSAA Emergency Relief Grant via an email to their EMU email account with instructions to complete and submit a COVID-19 Certification.
The COVID-19 Certification instructed students to select one of three options:
- To apply their grant to their winter 2021 account balance
- To apply their grant to their summer 2021 account balance
- To apply their grant as a direct payment to the refund preferences set up on their Eagle Onecard
Emergency Grant Applications
The COVID-19 Emergency Grant Application instructed applicants to select one of three options in the event they were approved to receive funding:
- To apply their grant to their winter 2021 account balance
- To apply their grant to their summer 2021 account balance
- To apply their grant as a direct payment to the refund preferences set up on their Eagle Onecard