Posted: April 13, 2021
Author: Office of Postsecondary Education
Subject: Inviting Applications for Funds Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF); Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) for Institutions of Higher Education That Meet the Criteria for the Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Program
On December 27, 2020, the President signed the CRRSAA into law (Pub. L. 116-260). This law makes available approximately $22.7 billion for institutions under the HEERF, with funding appropriated for the existing (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) programs previously authorized under section 18004 of the CARES Act, as well as funding for a new (a)(4) program authorized under the CRRSAA.
With this notice, the Secretary is announcing the availability of HEERF grant funds under the CRRSAA section 314(a)(2) MSI program (Assistance Listing Number 84.425L).
Eligible institutions are institutions of higher education, as defined in sections 101 and 102(c) of the HEA, 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002(c). Allocations for these programs will be calculated according to the formula in section 314(a)(2)(A) of the CRRSAA. Under CRRSAA section 314(c), grant awards under these programs may 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);
- Carry out student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related to coronavirus; and
- Provide financial aid grants to students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education), which may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. In making financial aid grants to students, an institution must prioritize grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. Institutions are urged to make financial aid grants to students to the maximum extent possible.
Section 314(d)(8) of the CRRSAA provides that institutions that previously received grants under section 18004(a)(2) of the CARES Act are not required to submit new or revised applications to receive funding under the CRRSAA section 314(a)(2) MSI program. As a result, the Department will award supplemental funds to eligible institutions that previously received a section 18004(a)(2) award under the CARES Act, Assistance Listing Number 84.425L (identified by a Grant Award beginning with P425L20). No action is required by eligible institutions to receive these supplemental awards. The project director identified on the most current Grant Award Notification (GAN) will automatically receive an email indicating a supplemental award has been made to your institution. Please note that drawing down any amount of these supplemental funds constitutes an institution’s acceptance of the new terms and conditions under the CRRSAA and a new Supplemental Agreement, which are included as an attachment to this notice for reference.
Institutions that have not yet complied with the reporting requirements of the HEERF grant program may receive delayed supplemental (a)(2) awards and/or may receive awards with a restriction on the ability to draw down those awarded funds (stop payment status) until the institution has satisfied its HEERF reporting obligations.
Institutions that did not receive a CARES Act section 18004(a)(2) MSI award but that are on the Department’s published CRRSAA Section 314(a)(2) MSI Allocation Table may apply for and receive section 314(a)(2) MSI grant awards. Pursuant to CRRSAA section 314(f), an institution must apply for funds within 90 days of the publication of this notice.
Eligibility Information
Eligible Applicants: Public and private nonprofit institutions, as defined in sections 101 and 102(c) of the HEA, that are eligible for certain programs under part A of title III and parts A and B of title V of the HEA.
Application and Submission Information
Applicants are required to submit their applications using Grants.gov. To register to use Grants.gov, please visit their “How to Apply for Grants” web page (www.grants.gov/applicants/apply-for-grants.html), or call their Applicant Support helpdesk at 1-800-518-4726.
Each completed application for the MSI portion must consist of—
- A complete SF-424;
- Supplemental Information for the SF-424;
- The Certification and Agreement for an Award under Section 314(a)(2) (Purple C&A); and
- The Required Notification of Endowment Excise Tax Paid (if applicable).
Note: The applicant must submit the corresponding Certificate and Agreement for the funds requested. Each Certificate and Agreement must be completed and include the correct OPEID and DUNS number of the institution for which you are requesting funds. Each grantee will receive the amount calculated for them and listed in the Department’s published Section 314(a)(2) MSI Allocation Table.
Dates
- Applications Available: April 13, 2021.
- Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until July 12, 2021.