The Department of Education (ED) published a clarification today to its Dec. 23, 2020 Federal Register notice announcing the reopening of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) application process. The Secretary of Education stated that the newly-enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 supersedes ED’s notice and prevents ED from accepting or processing any applications for new awards under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: “Student Aid Portion” program and “Institutional Portion” program.
According to Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, funds now must be allocated to institutions using the formula based on relative shares of total student enrollment and full-time equivalent student enrollment of Pell Grant recipients and non-Pell Grant recipients. This requirement does not apply to funds that were awarded to institutions prior to the enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, but that have not yet been spent by institutions.
According to the Federal Registrar, ED intends to issue a guidance at a future date regarding the grant opportunities created by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, including circumstances under which institutions that did not receive funds of the CARES Act can apply for funding under the 2021 Appropriations Act.
Sources:
Federal Registrar: Clarification on Reopening the Application Period for Certain Applicants Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Sections 18004(a)(1), 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Federal Registrar: Clarification on Reopening the Application Period for Certain Applicants Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), Sections 18004(a)(1), 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3); Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (PDF)
NASFAA: ED Publishes Clarification on Previously-Announced Reopening of HEERF Application Process