HEERF II CRRSAA

    Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II – CRRSAA) Reporting: Institutional Portion
    St. Olaf College 1st Quarter 2021 Fund Report
    Posting Date: June 28, 2021

    See the following report for the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Section 314(a)(1) for the institutional portion. This will be the final report.

    Institutional Report

    Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II – CRRSAA) Reporting: Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
    St. Olaf College 30-Day Fund Report
    Posting Date:  June 22, 2021

    St. Olaf College hereby addresses questions through June 19, 2021. This will be the final report.

    Section 314 ( e ) of CRRSAA (Pub. L. 116-260) directs institutions receiving funds under section 314 to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the HEERF. The reporting requirements are intended to ensure that the statutory requirements described below are met for (1) the CRRSAA and ARP(a)(1) Student Grant Programs, and (2) CRRSAA and ARP(a)(4) Student Grant Programs.

    On May 13, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education posted their reporting requirements for HEERF participating institutions under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

    The Department encourages institutions to report as soon as possible, but no later than 30 days after the publication of this notice or 30 days after the date the Department first obligated funds under HEERF I, II, or III to the institution for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students, whichever comes later.

    Each HEERF participating institution is responsible for providing this information in report format (the “30-day Fund Report”). In addition, these participating institutions are required to post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. This information must also be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, and December 31, March 31, June 30) thereafter, unless the Secretary specifies an alternative method of reporting.

    St. Olaf College hereby addresses questions for the “30-day Fund Report”:

    1. An acknowledgement that the institution 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 program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
      • St. Olaf College Response: On January 20, 2021 St. Olaf College acknowledged receipt to the Department of Education that the College intends to use the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    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 under the CRRSAA program.
      • St. Olaf College Response: St. Olaf College has received $1,083,532 from the Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
    3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA program as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
      • St. Olaf College Response: As of June 19, 2021, the college has distributed $1,083,532 to students.
    4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the CRRSAA program.
      • St. Olaf College Response:  The college estimates the number of students eligible to participate in the emergency grant program is 1,443.
    5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA program.
      • St. Olaf College Response:  There were 1,438 students that received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the CRRSAA program. Five eligible students received equivalent funding from College resources.
    6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA program.
      • St. Olaf College Response: According to the Department of Education, “Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants.” Due to this guidance, the amount that each eligible student received was dependent on the family income reported on the 2020-21 FAFSA. Students with family incomes under $75,000 received $965, whereby students with family incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 received $555. The College considered an eligible student as a US citizen or Permanent Resident that was enrolled for Interim or Spring 2021 as of the 10th day of classes.
    7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
      • St. Olaf College Response: The college maintains a COVID-19 website which includes Frequently Asked Questions and provides access to information including the Emergency Relief Grants. The website directs users to submit questions to coronavirusresponse@stolaf.edu (via email). The email address is monitored daily and questions and/or concerns are promptly responded to. Several “all student” email messages have been distributed providing details of the CRRSAA program and administering funds for Emergency Relief Grants.