CARES Act | Financial Aid | Whitworth University

CARES Act Department of Education HEERF Reporting – Funding and Methods for Awarding

Whitworth University

All methods of awarding Federal Emergency Grants are reviewed and approved by the Vice President of Enrollment Services, Greg Orwig.

Block awarding is determined and awarded by the VP of Enrollment Services, Greg Orwig and the Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services, Traci Spoon Stensland.

Application awarding is facilitated by a committee of the Assistant Vice President of Student Financial Services, Traci Spoon Stensland, Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, David Barnes and Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Lori Johnson.

All federal emergency grant awards are approved by Melinda Stoops, Director of Office of Sponsored Programs.

HEERFI, II, III Federal Reporting

The federal government has funded Federal Emergency Grants for students through the following legislation.

March 2020, CARES Act: Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERFI)
March 2021, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA): Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERFII)
June 2021, American Rescue Plan (ARP): Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERFIII)

On April 9, 2020, President of Whitworth University Beck A. Taylor signed and returned to the Department of Education 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 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants.

HEERFI

Whitworth University received $1,420,374.00 in their certification and agreement for emergency financial aid grants to students.

As of May 20, 2020: Whitworth has reported $185,800 in emergency grant funds to the federal grant with $108,831 approved and pending to disburse. Whitworth has reported emergency grants to 117 students with 88 students approved and pending disbursement.

As of July 2, 2020: Whitworth has reported $711,952 in emergency grant funds to the federal grant. Whitworth has awarded emergency grants to 493 students with an average award of $1,444.12. Whitworth has spent 51 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act. A total of $47,418 in emergency grants to 30 students are pending disbursement.

As of Aug. 1, 2020: Whitworth has reported $807,366 in emergency grant funds to the federal grant. Whitworth has awarded emergency grants to 511 students with an average award of $1,579.98. Whitworth has spent 57 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act. A total of $21,035 in emergency grants to 25 students are pending disbursement.

As of Sept. 1, 2020: Whitworth has reported $873,357 in emergency grant funds to the federal grant. Whitworth has awarded emergency grants to 534 students with an average award of $1,636. Whitworth has spent 62 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

As of Oct. 1, 2020: Whitworth has reported $888,280 in emergency grant funds to the federal grant. Whitworth has awarded emergency grants to 555 students with an average award of $1600. Whitworth has spent 63 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

As of Nov. 1, 2020: Whitworth has awarded $927,076 in emergency grant funds. The amount of $914,837 has posted towards the federal grant. Whitworth has awarded emergency grants to 597 students with an average award of $1,556. Whitworth has spent 65 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

As of Dec. 8, 2020: Whitworth has awarded $ 1,420,336.00 in emergency grant funds to students. The amount of $1,420,336.00 has posted towards the federal grant. With this amount, Whitworth has awarded a total of 828 emergency grants with an average award of $1,715. Whitworth has spent 100 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

Whitworth's method for awarding emergency grants funded from the CARES Act is to have students complete an online form that follows the guidance below:

Students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 may apply for emergency grants funded by the CARES Act. To be covered by the grant, students must have expenses which occurred after March 13 and must be directly related to the "disruption of campus operations." The amount of the expenses requested must be consistent with the components of the cost of attendance for a respective student.
Further, students must be in good standing for satisfactory academic progress as well as show eligibility for Title IV federal aid. Students who filed a 2019-20 FAFSA and were approved for federal aid meet this requirement. Students who have not filed a FAFSA ever at Whitworth should consult with their financial aid counselor at finaid@whitworth.edu.
The amount of the grants awarded reflects a student's individual "expenses" that qualify for these funds, not to exceed $3,000. The funding for this grant only covers expenses related to the disruption of our campus closure due to COVID-19.

Technology Support

Students who need certain types of technology to enable online learning can apply for an emergency grant funded by the Federal CARES Act. Grants will be based on amounts conservatively estimated to support students in purchasing the basic technology needed to work remote at local retailers, such as Best Buy and Costco. Students who have already received support through the CARES Act for technology may not be eligible. Students must show eligibility for Title IV federal aid. Students who filed a 2020-21 FAFSA and were approved for federal aid meet this requirement. Students who have not filed a FAFSA ever at Whitworth should consult with their financial aid counselor at finaid@whitworth.edu.

Students were notified when grant funds were transferred by ACH to their personal bank account or when a check is mailed to them. These funds are not taxable income. Students not awarded a grant were also notified.

Support for Educational-Related Expenses

Due to changes in funding, programming and academic structure, there were fewer on-campus student employment positions and hours available this fall. This disruption was related to COVID-19, and we know it impacted students' financial security related to paying educational expenses.

We awarded "block awards" of Federal Cares Act Emergency Grants to help students pay educational-related expenses who may not have been able to earn the funding needed to cover these costs. The amounts of the grants varied and were based on two factors: the amount of lost on-campus earnings and financial need.

Students received their funding either via ACH transfer to their personal bank account or through a prepared check. These funds are not taxable income. Students not awarded a grant were also notified.

HEERFII

As of April 2021: Whitworth University received its second distribution of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds ("HEERF II") authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) in the amount of $1,420,374.00 . With this allocation, Whitworth has awarded Federal Emergency Grants to students who showed exceptional need, as directed by the legislation and regulatory guidance from the Department of Education.

On April 12, 2021: 15 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $43,890 with an average grant amount of $2,926.
On April 22, 2021: 487 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $1,111,000 with an average grant amount of $2,281.
On June 21, 2021: 162 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $264,984 with an average grant amount of $1,639. Whitworth has spent its HEERF II allocation in full.

As of June 30, 2021: Whitworth has awarded $ 1,419,874 in emergency grant funds to students. The amount of $1,419,874 has posted towards the federal grant. With this amount, Whitworth has awarded a total of 664 emergency grants with an average award of $2,138 Whitworth has spent 99 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

Support for Educational-Related Expenses

In an effort to disburse these funds to the neediest of students, we awarded "block awards" of Federal Emergency Grants to help students pay educational-related expenses who demonstrated exceptional financial need as reflected from filing the FAFSA/WASFA.

We also awarded Federal Emergency Grants to students who completed an online application and requested support in paying tuition costs due to financial challenges imposed by COVID-19.

Students were notified when grant funds were transferred by ACH to their personal bank account or when a check was mailed to them. These funds are not taxable income. Students not awarded a grant were also notified.

HEERFIII

Whitworth has received $3,794,993 funding through the American Rescue Plan (HEERFIII) and has begun awarding Federal Emergency Grants from these funds.

First Quarter
Q3 2021
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students for the quarter was: nine

On July 28, Aug. 4 and 11, 2021: Nine students were awarded grants in the total amount of $22,564 with an average grant amount of $2,507.

Second Quarter
Q4 2021
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students for the quarter was: 674

On Oct. 1, 6 and 18, 2021: 474 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $1,932.972 with an average grant amount of $4,078.
On Oct. 20, 25, 26, 2021: 33 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $168,573 with an average grant amount of $5,108.
On Nov. 4 and 9, 2021: 62 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $254,800 with an average grant amount of $4,110.
On Nov. 11, 2021: 42 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $198,455 with an average grant amount of $4,725.
On Dec. 6, 2021: 30 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $133,690 with an average grant amount of $4,456.
On Dec. 15, 2021: 33 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $130,255 with an average grant amount of $3,947.

Third Quarter
Q1 2022
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students for the quarter was: 130

On Jan. 5, 2022: 3 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $11,000 with an average grant amount of $3,667.
On Jan. 19, 2022: 20 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $83,000 with an average grant amount of $4,150.
On Jan. 31, 2022: 36 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $114,560 with an average grant amount of $3,182.
On March 7, 2022: 35 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $125,300 with an average grant amount of $3,580.
On March 22, 2022: 36 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $31,273 with an average grant amount of $869.

Fourth Quarter
Q2 2022
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students for the quarter was: 606

On April 11, 2022: 30 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $132,350 with an average grant amount of $4,417.
On May 3, 2022: 20 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $81,800 with an average grant amount of $4,090.
On May 5, 2022: 486 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $338,800 with an average grant amount of $698.
On May 11, 2022: 1 student were awarded grants in the total amount of $16.00 with an average grant amount of $16.00.
On June 26, 2022: 3 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $7,184 with an average grant amount of $2,395.
On June 26, 2022: 66 students were awarded grants in the total amount of $33,000 with an average grant amount of $500.

As of June 26, 2022, Whitworth University has disbursed all HEERF Funds for Student Federal Emergency Grants.

Support for Emergency Costs that Arise Due to Coronavirus

In July and August, students were allowed to apply for Federal Emergency Grants to help with outstanding tuition costs related to COVID-19. These were reviewed by the committee and awarded accordingly not to exceed $6,000 in support.

The first week of August 2021, all students were emailed information about submitting special circumstances to the financial aid office related to financial hardships and COVID-19. Further, students were given the opportunity to apply for the first round of HEERFIII Federal Emergency Grants. A second communication followed in the second week of September. Applicants who applied were continued to be reviewed.

In addition, all students Pell Grant recipients and graduate students who had a zero EFC for the 2021-22 academic year and who had not applied for COVID Federal Emergency Grant funds were awarded small block grant to acknowledge their high need.

Grants were not guaranteed and, based on guidance from the Department of Education, will be prioritized for students who have exceptional need as demonstrated in the request form and financial aid applications.

Students will be notified when grant funds have been transferred by ACH to their personal bank account or when a check is mailed to them. Applicants who were requesting funds go directly to their student account were required to sign a statement requesting this transaction. These funds are not taxable income. Students not awarded a grant will also be notified.

Institutional Emergency Relief

Funding

As of July 9, 2020: Whitworth has reported $1,420,374.00 in expenses for institutional relief from the federal grant. Whitworth assigned the institutional relief to cover the expense of room refunds that were distributed to its on-campus resident students between March 24, 2020, and May 14, 2020. Whitworth has spent 100 percent of their allocation awarded by the CARES Act.

As of May 21, 2021: Whitworth University has received a total of $8,088,016.00 from the CARES Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Apportions Act (CRRSAA), and American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), also known as "Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund" ("HEERF I, II & III").

As of July 6, 2021: Whitworth has reported $3,751,991.00 in expenses for institutional relief from federal grants (CRRSAA and ARP). Whitworth assigned the institutional relief to cover the remaining expenses of room refunds and board refunds for the 2020 Spring Term. Funds also replaced lost revenue from academic sources including tuition and beds for the 2020 Fall Term and 2021 Spring Term.

As of Oct. 1, 2021: Whitworth has reported $3,751,991.00 in expenses for institutional relief from federal grants (CRRSAA and ARP).

As of Jan. 4, 2022: Whitworth has reported $6,142,878.77 in expenses for institutional relief from federal grants HEERF II and III (CRRSAA and ARP). Whitworth assigned the institutional relief to cover lost revenue for fall semester 2021 tuition and room/board. Funds also included salaries/wages and fringe benefits for employees (contact tracers and quarantine supervisor) who supported monitoring and suppression of COVID-19 between August 2020 and November 2021. The total to date of HEERF I, II, and III (CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP) combined in reported expenses for institutional relief is $7,563,252.77.

As of March 31, 2022: Whitworth has reported $6,142,878.77 in expenses for institutional relief from federal grants HEERF II and III (CRRSAA and ARP). The remainder of funds will replace lost revenue from academic sources for 2022 Spring Term in May and no funds ($0) were expended during the first quarter Jan. 1-March 31, 2022.