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Posted: April 5, 2021 Last updated: July 22, 2022
Worcester State University was allocated funding as part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). This funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, and signed into law on December 27, 2020.
This act required that $2,111,417 be disbursed directly to students to cover emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, or child care. Additionally, this act requires prioritization of students who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
Approximately 80% of CRRSAA HEERF II funds were automatically distributed to eligible undergraduate, graduate and non-degree seeking students based on a combination of the number of credit hours a student was registered for in the Spring 2021 semester and a student’s latest Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as of April 1, 2021. The EFC is an index number that is calculated based on the information students provide on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. Utilizing these criteria allowed Worcester State University to support its students with the highest financial need.
Distribution of student payments followed a tiered process:
Awarded students received an increased CRRSAA HEERF II direct payment (bonus), if the students had an EFC between $0.00 and $5,711.99 as follows:
Eligible students received payments through direct deposit. Students not then enrolled in direct deposit were encouraged to log in to WebAdvisor and follow the direct deposit instructions under the Financial Information header. Students who are not able to enroll in direct deposit, received a paper check at the student’s last known address.
Federal guidelines excluded unqualified aliens, international students, and dual enrollment students from receiving CRRSAA HEERF II funds.
Approximately 20% of the CRRSAA HEERF II funds were reserved for supplemental emergency payments for students with additional critical financial needs as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Eligible students with additional financial need applied for Supplemental Funds. Any supplemental funding approved was in addition to the automatic payments noted above. Utilizing these criteria for supplemental payments allowed Worcester State University additional flexibility to support its students with the highest need. The number of students who receive supplemental payments was subject to the availability of funds. The maximum CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund award was $2,000 and students received no more than two CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund awards.
To be considered for these funds, students applied for CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Funds to document that they had incurred an expense as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic and meet other eligibility criteria. Expenses could have related to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses, among others. Students were asked to attach supporting documentation to their application. CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund applications were made available on April 15, 2021 and the funds were exhausted in mid-September, 2021.
For students enrolled in Spring 2021, students were required to meet eligibility criteria including:
For students enrolled in Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Intersession 2022, or Spring 2022, students were required to meet eligibility criteria including:
The CRRSAA HEERF II is a Federal law that offered broad relief for disruptions due to COVID-19. Part of the CRRSAA HEERF II provided funding to colleges and universities to provide grant aid to students.
To address the pressing financial needs of students due to the disruption of campus operations from the coronavirus. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses, among others. For example, a student may have needed to acquire internet at home or purchase a laptop to participate in remote coursework.
The CRRSAA HEERF II emergency student aid was available to enrolled graduate and undergraduate students while CRRSAA HEERF II funds remained available.
CRRSAA HEERF II funding at Worcester State has been exhausted. No additional CRRSAA HEERF II awards can be made at this time. The CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Funds Application is no longer available.
CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund awards were made available until the funds were exhausted. The CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental funds were exhausted in mid-September, 2021.
CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund awards ranged up to $2,000 per student, depending on a student specific review of needs. Students received no more than two CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Fund awards.
Students were notified via their Worcester State email about the status of their application and next steps within one week of submitting the application.
Eligible students received payments through direct deposit. Students not then enrolled in direct deposit could log in to WebAdvisor and follow the direct deposit instructions under the Financial Information header. Students who were not able to enroll in direct deposit, received a paper check.
If you have any questions about the CRRSAA HEERF II Supplemental Funds application or process to be considered, please contact the Community Standards Office at 508-929-8648 or visit the office located on the 3rd floor of the Student Center, Room 339. If you have generic questions about the CRRSAA HEERF II, please contact Vice President for Enrollment, Ryan G. Forsythe, at 508-929-8497.
No, the CRRSAA HEERF II student emergency aid is a grant. This means the funds do not need to be repaid.
Worcester State University CRRSAA/HEERFII Quarterly Report (Student Financial Aid) Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education Award #: P425E203852 Award Amount: $2,111,417.00 Report Date: 5/14/2021 (Covering Q1, 2021), 7/2/2021 (Covering Q2, 2021), 9/30/2021 (Covering Q3, 2021 – Final Report)
An acknowledgement 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, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Worcester State University agrees to the conditions outlined within the Certification and Agreement, including using no less than 50 percent of the funds received under 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. Please note, CRRSAA does not require institutions to sign/return the Certification and Agreement.
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.
Worcester State University has received $2,111,417 from the Department.
UPDATE (11/16/2021): Worcester State University received a total of $2,111,417 associated with the CRRSAA (HEERF 2). Worcester State University received a total of $2,111,417 associated with the CARES (HEERF 1). Worcester State University received a total of $6,660,064 associated with ARP (HEERF 3). In total (combining HEERF1, HEERF2, HEERF3), Worcester State University received $10,882,898. The following section explains the CRRSAA (HEERF2) distribution. For additional information on CARES (HEERF 1), please visit: https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/cares-act/. For additional information on ARP (HEERF 3), please visit: https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/arp-heerf-iii/.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
As of 3/31/2021, no Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to students. Payments will be issued beginning Q2, 2021.
Update 7/2/2021: Worcester State University has distributed $1,885,584.58 to students as of 6/30/2021.
Update 9/30/2021: Worcester State University has distributed $2,111,417 to students as of 9/30/21.
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII).
A total of 5,184 were initially identified as eligible to receive CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII).
Update 7/2/2021: Worcester State University has distributed payments to 5,185 unique students as of 6/30/2021.
Update 9/30/2021: Worcester State University has distributed payments to 5,210 unique students as of 9/30/21.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA (HEERFII).
Worcester State University separated the response into two parts: 1.) Eligibility determination, and 2.) Distribution methodology.
*Note: Students enrolled during subsequent terms may receive emergency financial aid grant provided they meet eligibility criteria A1 & A2, and are enrolled in any number of credits in Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Intersession 2022 or Spring, 2022.
Distribution Tiers
Update (7/2/2021): Worcester State University has distributed 80% ($1,704,500) to students, based on eligibility criteria noted above (see 6A) as of 6/30/2021. Worcester State University continues to issue supplemental emergency payments to students with additional critical financial needs, and has issued $181,084.58 in supplemental payments as of 6/30/2021. In total, Worcester State University has distributed $1,885,584.58 as of 6/30/2021.
Update (9/30/2021): Worcester State University has distributed 80% ($1,704,500) to students, based on eligibility criteria noted above (see 6A) as of 9/30/21. Worcester State University has issued $406,917 in supplemental emergency payments to students with additional critical financial needs as of 9/30/21. In total, Worcester State University has distributed $2,111,417.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Worcester State University communicated instructions, directions and guidance directly to students via individualized emails. Additionally, Worcester State University created a webpage: (https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/crrsaa-act-heerf-ii/) dedicated to providing students instructions, directions, guidance and contact information concerning Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable.
2021 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2021 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2021-08-27)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 6/30/2021.
2021 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2021 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2021-08-27)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 9/30/2021.
2021 Q3 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 12/30/2021.
2021 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2021 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-04-08)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 3/31/2022.
2022 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2022 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-07-06)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 6/30/2022
2022 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2022 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-10-06)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 9/30/2022
2022 Q3 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 12/31/2022
2022 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 3/31/2023
2023 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
