As a result of the passage of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), WashU has been allocated approximately $4.6M in emergency aid. WashU will distribute the entire $4.6M allocation to students as emergency grants and this aid will be awarded as Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) Grants. The date of enactment for CRRSAA was December 27, 2020.
- Funds may be used for costs incurred on or after December 27, 2020.
- Students may use grants for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.
- CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need.
- Students must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
- Students must be in a qualifying degree program and enrolled in Spring 2021
Who Will Receive Funds?
As a result of this guidance, WashU will be awarding HEERF II Grants from CRRSAA to the following students, and under the following conditions:
- Spring 2021 enrolled students who are in a qualifying degree program,
- Have a 2020-21 FAFSA on file with WashU indicating they meet the citizenship or Eligible Non-Citizen requirement,
- Have a Federal Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less.
FAQ’s
- What are HEERF II grants?
- A HEERF II grant is a federal grant provided by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. An earlier version was known as the Cares Act. The purpose of these grants is to aid students with the financial burdens imposed by the disruptions causes by the coronavirus.
- Am I eligible for these funds?
- These funds are available to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should have an expected family contribution (EFC) at or below $10,000 and be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program in the spring 2021 semester. Eligible students must be a US citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
- Who is not eligible?
- International students and undocumented students are generally not eligible for HEERF II grants under 8 U.S.C. 1611(a).
- Are graduate students eligible to receive these funds?
- Yes, eligibility for graduate students is the same as for undergraduate students – funds are available to students with exceptional financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students should have an expected family contribution (EFC) at or below $10,000 and be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program in the spring 2021 semester. Eligible students must be a US citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
- How much will I receive?
- Eligible students will receive one-time HEERF II Grants of $1,382.
- Will these funds impact my current financial aid award or reduce loans?
- No. While this is a federal grant it will not affect any federal components in your financial aid award.
- Are there restrictions on my use of these funds?
- HEERF II Financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
- What do I need to do to receive the funds?
- Nothing – Student Financial Services will notify eligible students via email.
- Is there a deadline for completing the FAFSA or applying for these funds?
- Initial HEERF II eligibility is based on FAFSA’s received through 4/14/21. Please complete your FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for funding.
- When will I receive my grant funds?
- Beginning about 4/22/21 HEERF II funds will be applied to student accounts and payment of the funds will begin on about 4/27/21.
- How will I receive my grant funds?
- The funds will be credited to your student account beginning 4/22/21 and will be disbursed to you beginning 4/27/21. If you are signed up for direct deposit, your funds will automatically be deposited into your bank account. If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, a paper check will be issued beginning 4/27/21.
- Students have the option to apply their HEERF II funds to an existing balance on their student account, or will have the option to use their HEERF II grant to cover charges for Summer 21 or Fall 21.
- If students choose to use their HEERF II funds to cover charges on their student account, students will be required to provide electronic consent to have the funds:
- used toward any balance on their student account.
or - allow this credit to remain on their student account until the fall semester.
- used toward any balance on their student account.
- Specific Instructions to have funds applied to student accounts will be provided when students are notified of their eligibility.
- If students choose to use their HEERF II funds to cover charges on their student account, students will be required to provide electronic consent to have the funds:
- How will I be notified if I am eligible?
- SFS will send you an email to your university email address if you are eligible for a HEERF II grant.
- Can I appeal for additional funding?
- No. Grant values cannot be adjusted and are the same for all recipients.
- What if I have other questions?
- Dayschool undergraduate students should contact Student Financial Serviced at financial@wustl.edu or by calling 314-935-5900. Graduate, professional, and University College students should contact the appropriate financial aid office. Contact information for aid offices may be found here https://financialaid.wustl.edu/graduate-schools/
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appoprations Act (CRRSAA) – HEERF II
March 31, 2022 Quarterly Report. The following report represents numbers and amounts from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022:
- Washington University in St. Louis acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outline by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- The total amount of funds Washington University in St. Louis received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $3,184,236.
- For the quarter ending 03/31/2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed by Washington University to students under CRRSAA is $0.
- The estimated total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA is 0.
December 31, 2021 Quarterly Report. The following report represents numbers and amounts from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021:
- Washington University in St. Louis acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outline by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- The total amount of funds Washington University in St. Louis received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $3,184,236.
- For the quarter ending 12/31/2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed by Washington University to students under CRRSAA is $0.
- The estimated total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA is 0.
September 30, 2021 Quarterly Report. The following report represents numbers and amounts from July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021:
- Washington University in St. Louis acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outline by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- The total amount of funds Washington University in St. Louis received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $3,184,236.
- For the quarter ending 9/30/2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed by Washington University to students under CRRSAA is $0
- The estimated total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA is 0.
June 30, 2021 Quarterly Report. The following report represents numbers and amounts from April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021:
- Washington University in St. Louis acknowledges that it has agreed to the terms and conditions outline by the U.S. Department of Education for funds received under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
- The total amount of funds Washington University in St. Louis received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $3,184,236.
- For the quarter ending 6/30/2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed by Washington University to students under CRRSAA is $3,184,236.
- The estimated total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA is 2,304.
- The methodology used by Washington University in St Louis to determine which students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they received under CRRSAA is outlined below:
- In alignment with Dept of Education guidance, Washington University in St Louis distributed CRRSSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Title IV aid-eligible students with a federal expected family contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less. Each recipient must have been enrolled in spring 2021.
- Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by Washington University to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, included the following:
- Eligible students were notified as follows:
- They were eligible to receive and would receive CRRSAA HEERF II grant and that no additional steps would be required on their part.
- They received an award (emergency financial aid grant) of $1,382 each through HEERF II funding provided to the university.
- The award/refund was generated from individual student accounts via direct deposit. For those who do not have direct deposit, a check was mailed to the student’s address.
- HEERF funds are not taxable, per federal guidelines. (https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-higher-education-emergency-relief-fund-and-emergency-financial-aid-grants-under-the-cares-act
- If a student wanted to use their grant to cover an existing balance on their student account instead of being paid directly to them, they would need to notify us in writing by posted date and their grant would be applied to their student account balance.
In accordance with the Department of Education’s reporting guidance, please follow the links below to view of PDF of WashU’s Quarterly Public Reporting Form for (a)(1) Institutional Portion.