CRRSAA QUARTERLY REPORT

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on December 27, 2020.  Below is Coastal Carolina University’s report, as of June 30, 2021.

With regard to the CRRSAA Section 314(a) (1), Coastal Carolina University (CCU) acknowledges and assures that:

1. CCU was allocated $15,415,915 under CRRSAA for emergency relief of students and the institution.
2. The minimum amount for student aid allocations was $5,027,174 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. 
3. $5,159,500 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants were provided to students. $132,326 of the institutional portion were used to make these awards.  As of June 30, 2021, all funds provided for emergency financial aid grants to students have been exhausted.
4. The estimated number of students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314(a) (1) of the CARES Act was 7,069.
5. As of June 30, 2021, 7,069 students received funding.
6. Strategic members of CCU’s staff developed the methods used to determine which students will receive the emergency funding, as well as how much they receive.

Method:

• Qualified students that were enrolled as of the date of disbursement of the award for Spring 2021 were identified and awarded emergency grants by March 5^th, 2021. 7,069 eligible students were awarded at this time.
• Qualified students were defined as students who filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 8, 2021 and who were a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen. Other ineligible students included: students without a FAFSA or with a rejected FAFSA; international, dual enrollment, transient, non-degree seeking, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students.
• Students with the greatest documented need using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA will be prioritized. Individual disbursement amounts varied by student dependent on levels of financial need, as defined by Title IV regulations. Graduate students were included.
• CCU Financial Aid & Scholarships verified eligibility in accordance with CRRSAA.

Amount: Initial block grant awards to each student were determined by the chart below. 

  8. CCU Financial Aid and Scholarships posted instructions and guidance for students regarding CARES Act funding on its website. Eligible students were emailed in February and March 2021 regarding eligibility status and encouragement to set up direct deposit for electronic receipt of these funds.

CRRSA ACT FAQs

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), a Federal law enacted by Congress, includes funds to assist qualified students in need during the pandemic. Students enrolled at CCU for Spring 2021 who met the qualifications below received an email in their CCU email inbox confirming eligibility for funds by March 5^th, 2021. Should you have questions or need additional information about the award, please contact Chant411 at (843) 234-3411 or email chant411@coastal.edu.

Q: Who qualified for the CRRSAA Funds?

A: To be eligible for the CRRSAA HEERFII grant funding you must have met all the following criteria:

• You must have been enrolled at CCU as of the date of the grant disbursement in Spring 2021.
• You must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid by February 8, 2021. Students could complete either year application (20/21 or 21/22) for consideration, but were encouraged to submit both if planning to attend in 21/22. 
• You must be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
• Students who were not eligible for the CRRSA Act grant included: students without a FAFSA or with a rejected FAFSA; international, dual enrollment, transient, non-degree seeking, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. 

Q: How and when did I receive the disbursement?

A: Students who already had direct deposit established with the University received their emergency funds by direct deposit.  A check was mailed to the address on record for students who had not set up direct deposit.  Eligible students received an email confirming their disbursement by Friday, March 5, 2021. 

Q: How do I know how much I was awarded?

A: Students were able to identify their disbursement amount on “Student Finance” under the Student Accounts section.  Individual disbursement amounts varied by student dependent on levels of financial need, as defined by Title IV regulations. 

Q: How can I use the funds disbursed to me?

A: According to the Department of Education funds could be used for expenses related to the cost of attendance such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Q: Will my disbursement be reduced by any outstanding balances that I owed?

A: No.  If you met the eligibility requirements, your disbursement amount was NOT reduced by any outstanding balances that you owed. 

Q: Will I be required to pay this money back?

A: No.  This is a grant and you will not be required to pay it back as long as you began attendance in Spring 2021 and were enrolled at the time of disbursement.

Q: What if I was not eligible for CARES funding but still have expenses?

A: Students not eligible for CRRSA funding may apply for funding from CCU’s Student Benevolence funds after March 5, 2021.  Awards are dependent on eligibility and available funds.  Applications can be accessed https://www.coastal.edu/deanofstudents/studentbenevolencefunds/.   

Q: Who do I call if I have questions?

A: For questions regarding this grant, please contact Chant411 at (843) 234-3411 or email chant411@coastal.edu.