Xavier CARES Grant
9/30/2021 Update to COVID-19 Relief Funding:
CARES/HEERF I:
On March 27, 2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, authorized in the CARES Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” Xavier received both institutional and student aid. Through an application process, eligible Title IV students applied for and were awarded grants of up to $1,500. $1,561,031 was awarded to 1,108 students. All funds were expended by July 2020.
CRRSAA/HEERF II:
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, (CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020. Like the CARES Act, this bill directed support to institutions of higher education in two pieces: student and institutional aid. The HEERF II program directed $1,561,032 towards student emergency aid at Xavier.
HEERF II requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. In line with the expectations detailed in the guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education, Xavier elected to distribute funds to Pell recipients. On April 7th 606, eligible students were sent an email from Dr. Jim Snodgrass, Dean of Student Success, informing them that they were eligible to receive a $2,576 award. The students had three options, agree and electronically sign that they wanted the funds to go on a focus blue card, electronically sign that they wanted their grant to go towards their bill, or electronically sign to decline the grant. If students did not take any of the three actions within one month, unclaimed funds will be distributed. Follow-up phone calls and emails were sent to students. Five hundred-fifty three students claimed their funds. Fifty-three students did not claim their funds; therefore, those funds will be reallocated to other students. Xavier will award the remaining funds in the next several months.
ARPA/HEERF III:
On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law authorizing additional resources for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, HEERF III. The HEERF III program directed, $4,444,272 toward student emergency aid at Xavier. As of 9/30/21, Xavier has awarded $4,317,600 of the funds to 1,799 students with exceptional need, as directed by the U.S. Department of Education. Xavier expects to award the remaining funds in the next couple of months.
Other Resources:
Students who have not received funds under HEERF, but are experiencing financial challenges due to Covid-19 should request support through the Student Emergency Fund.
Xavier emergency support and resources in other areas, including counseling, referrals to community services and supplies from the campus food pantry are available to students. Students in need may contact Angie Kneflin, Director of Care Management Services at kneflin@xavier.edu or Natalia Weekly, Care Management Coordinator at weeklyn@xavier.edu.