University of the Cumberlands took a proactive and strategic response to addressing the impacts of COVID-19 to its campus and academic programs. The document includes the University’s response and supporting guidance from key organizations and partners for the current semester.
HEERF EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANTS TO STUDENTS
The University has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. This agreement allowed for the University to receive CARES Act funding that will be disbursed to Eligible Students to assist with expenses caused by the disruption of campus due to the coronavirus. Therefore, the University intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The total amount received for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $1,398,399 and will completely distributed to eligible students within one year that the University received the funding (April 25, 2020). An estimated total of 1,413 on-campus undergraduate students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Initial 30-Day Fund Report
As of May 25, 2020 the University has disbursed a total of $1,224,205 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
Subsequent 45-Day Fund Report
As of July 9, 2020 the University has disbursed a total of $1,305,355 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
Subsequent 45-Day Fund Report
As of August 23, 2020 the University has disbursed a total of $1,370,704 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
Quarterly Student Grant Reports
As of September 30, 2020 the University has disbursed a total of $1,380,804 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
As of December 31, 2020 the University has disbursed a total of $1,387,804 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
As of March 31, 2021 the University has disbursed a total of $1,387,804 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students.
As of June 30, 2021 the University has disbursed a total of $1,387,804 to the 1,413 eligible on-campus undergraduate students. The remaining allotment of $10,595 was transferred to be disbursed with the HEERF II and HEERF III student grants. This is the final report for the student grant portions of the CARES Act.
Quarterly Institutional Portion Grant Reports
September 30, 2020 Quarterly Final Report
Eligibility and Matrix Guidelines
CLICK HERE for Institutional Policy on the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Communication to Eligible Students
CARES Act Funding – Residential Students
CARES Act Funding – Commuter Students
CARES Act Funding – Additional Funding
Press Release
CUMBERLANDS DISTRIBUTING CARES ACT FUNDING TO STUDENTS
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 by President Donald J. Trump on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion former Secretary DeVos expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
Through CRRSAA, the University has been allocated a total of $5,852,797, of which at least $1,398,399 must be distributed directly to students in the form of grants in accordance with the CFDA 84.425E allocation calculation. The remaining $4,454,398 is the maximum amount that can be used to defray expenses associated with coronavirus (including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll), and to carry out student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related to coronavirus. Institutional funds may also be used to make additional financial aid grants to students.
The remaining $10,595 of undisbursed student grants from the CARES Act (CFDA 84.425F) will also be disbursed along with the CRRSAA grant amount mentioned above. Furthermore, the disbursement will follow the same grant matrix calculation as the CRRSAA student grant funds. The University will have no obligation to distribute beyond the amount allotted but may choose to do so at its sole discretion. In the event that institutional allocation funds still remain after all disbursements, the University will assess the best avenue to disburse to students of need or apply the remaining portion to allowable institutional expenses.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.
Through ARP, the University was allocated an additional of $9,142,394, of which at least $4,867,075 must be distributed directly to students in the form of grants in accordance with the CFDA 84.425E allocation calculation. The remaining $4,275,319 is the maximum amount that can be used to defray expenses associated with coronavirus (including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll), and to carry out student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related to coronavirus. Institutional funds may also be used to make additional financial aid grants to students.
Collectively, with the CRRSAA and ARP funding, the University must distribute $6,265,474 directly to students in the form of grants. An estimated total of 3,486 undergraduate students enrolled in the spring 2021 semester were eligible to receive the student emergency grants funding as allowed by 86 FR 26608 and 34 CFR § 668.2.
HEERF II & III Quarterly Student Grant Reports
As of March 31, 2021, the University has disbursed a total of $5,865,325 to the 3,486 eligible undergraduate students.
As of June 30, 2021, the University has disbursed a total of $5,865,325 to the 3,486 eligible undergraduate students.
As of September 30, 2021, the University has disbursed a total of $5,865,325 to the 3,486 eligible undergraduate students.
As of December 31, 2021, the University has disbursed a total of $5,864,825 to the 3,486 eligible undergraduate students.
As of March 31, 2022, the University has disbursed a total of $5,857,850 to the 3,486 eligible undergraduate students.
Quarterly Institutional Portion Grant Reports
HEERF Institutional Quarterly Reporting March 31, 2021
HEERF Institutional Quarterly Reporting June 30, 2021
HEERF Institutional Quarterly Reporting September 30, 2021
HEERF Institutional Quarterly Reporting December 31, 2021
HEERF Institutional Quarterly Reporting March 31, 2022
New Combined Quarterly Reports
HEERF New Quarterly Reporting June 30, 2022
HEERF New Quarterly Reporting September 30, 2022
HEERF New Quarterly Reporting December 31, 2022
HEERF New Quarterly Reporting March 31, 2023
HEERF New Quarterly Reporting June 30, 2023
Eligibility and Matrix Guidelines
CLICK HERE for Institutional Policy on the distribution of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Communication to Eligible Students
HEERF Funding - Letter to Students
Email - On Campus Students
Email - Commuter Students