HEERF II (CRRSA ACT)

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSA Act) provided a second allotment of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF II) to institutions of higher education. The following information is shared in accordance with federal government reporting requirements.

Drake University has signed and returned the certification and agreement form for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding provided through the CRRSA Act (HEERF II). Drake has used at least $1,112,113 of the funds received for emergency financial aid grants to students, in accordance with guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education.

Student Portion Reporting

Fund Allocations

What is the total amount of funds Drake University will receive or has received under the HEERF student portion?
Drake University will receive $1,112,113 under the student portion of the HEERF II. 

Grants Awarded

Of those funds, how much has been distributed, or has Drake initiated payments for? How many Drake students have received an emergency financial aid grant?

Quarter ending March 31, 2021
Through March 31, 2021, Drake has distributed or initiated payments in the amount of $1,112,113 to 1520 students.

Cumulative Awarding
As of March 31, 2021, Drake has distributed or initiated payments for all of the available student funding.
 

Communications

How did the University communicate instructions, directions, or guidance to students concerning the emergency financial aid grants?
A February 5, 2021 COVID-19 Update (available here) was emailed to Drake students, faculty and staff that provided information about Drake’s plans to distribute HEERF II student funding. Funding recipients also received an email detailing the amount that student would receive and the method of payment.

Eligibility

How is Drake determining which students did, or will receive emergency financial aid grants and how much funding they did, or will receive?
Student awards are available for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that were caused by coronavirus. As required, Drake prioritized funding for students with exceptional need. Drake University used the estimated family contribution (EFC) from the 2020-2021 FAFSA to determine eligibility for students who were enrolled during the spring 2021 semester, as follows:

At the time HEERF II funds were distributed, guidance from the U.S. Department of Education excluded DACA, undocumented, and international students from eligibility.

After the HEERF II awarding policy was finalized and communicated to students, a problem was discovered with the enrollment information used to create the funding policy. This resulted in an inaccurate projection of HEERF II funding needed to award enrolled students with an eligible EFC. After HEERF II funds were exhausted, there were 242 students who met the established eligibility criteria for HEERF II but who were not paid. In response, Drake set aside HEERF III funds in the amount of $163,650 to ensure that all students who met the established eligibility criteria for HEERF II were awarded.

How did those who were eligible apply to receive funds from HEERF II allocation?
The 2020-2021 FAFSA served as the application to be considered for HEERF II student funding.