A supplemental round of funding called the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) was passed by Congress with overwhelming, bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump on 27 December 2020. The act provides economic relief to American workers, families, and businesses who, through no fault of their own, have been adversely impacted by the pandemic. The new funding builds on the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act adopted last spring. Of that amount, the University will distribute more than $675,262 to students demonstrating exceptional financial need. In addition, Centenary will roll over $109,000 in funds reserved from the CARES Act, bringing pending federal student aid to more than $784,500. The CRRSAA funding is provided to more broadly cover expenses while operating during a pandemic, whereas the CARES Act funding was provided to cover additional expenses incurred because of the disruption of instruction due to coronavirus.
Mission:
The Centenary CARES Grant fund is available to assist students at Centenary experiencing an unanticipated financial hardship as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, which would interfere with the student’s ability to continue their education at Centenary University. Emergency funding is provided in the form of a direct grant to the student and is not required to be repaid. Students experiencing additional hardships related to COVID-19 may apply for more funding if the need arises. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first-served basis with first-time applicants and those with exceptional need given priority until the fund exhausts.
Guidelines:
- The applicant must be a degree seeking student in an undergraduate or graduate program at Centenary University.
- University employees (other than work-study students) are not eligible.
- Priority will be given to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants or students who are eligible to receive Pell Grants.
- Students may apply Centenary CARES Grants to cost of attendance expenses posted to the student’s account. Students must affirmatively consent (opt-in) to have Centenary CARES Grants applied to the student’s outstanding account balances.
- The costs for other emergency aid grants must have been incurred while enrolled at Centenary University and incurred on or after 13 March 2020.
- The grant is intended to be used for unforeseen, short-term or temporary costs, not regular ongoing expenses.
- Demonstration of need must be shown by supplying supporting documentation (e.g., bills, quotes, receipts etc.). All documentation attached with an application will be completely confidential.
- Students who have not filed a FASFA with the University will be required to provide proof of need by submitting a completed and signed 2020 tax document or a W-2 form a parent or guardian, if the student is a dependent.
- The CRRSAA emergency aid grants (Centenary CARES Grants) are not taxable income.
What’s covered:
Centenary CARES Grants for students may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, health care or child care. Following are some examples, but are not all-inclusive or exclusive. All requests will be reviewed and considered on a case by case basis. If a request is received that falls outside of the parameters of the Centenary CARES Fund, all attempts will be made to assist the student in finding additional aid and resources.
Examples of covered expenses:
- Any component of the student’s cost of attendance (outstanding balances); tuition, fees, room and board, etc.
- University health insurance, if no longer covered by parents’ insurance
- Health care costs (including mental health care)
- Technology cost of adjusting to online learning environment (e.g., laptop computer, internet access, hot spots, etc.)
- Travel due to family emergency, crisis or death
- Standard living expenses including rent, food, essential utilities, commuting costs
- Unanticipated childcare costs
- Other immediate critical needs of the student causing acute financial stress brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic may be considered
Expenses not covered:
- Emergency expenses incurred prior to 13 March 2020, the date of the declaration of the National Emergency due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Expenses related to future study abroad / study away
- Costs for entertainment or recreation, non-emergency travel or other non-essential expenses
How Students Apply:
As we review the rules regarding the awarding of these funds, we are taking a pause in accepting applications for the Centenary CARES Emergency Grant Program. Please watch for communications notifying you when we will again begin accepting applications for this new funding.
If you are applying for emergency aid for cost of attendance expenses and for emergency funds for other COVID related expenses, you will need to submit two applications. You cannot apply for both on the same application.
You will be redirected to the CARES grant application form where you will be prompted to answer a few specific questions/describe your need and submit supporting documentation. Supporting documentation is required with your application and will remain completely confidential.
The information and supporting documentation will go to a review panel for a recommendation to the CARES Team Executive Board for approval. Requests will be reviewed, and awards granted by the CARES Team Executive Board, based on available funds. Decisions of the CARES Team Executive Board are final, but you may make subsequent requests if conditions change.
The Board will take into consideration several factors in granting, granting partially or denying the request, including but not limited to:
- The law requires that emergency student grants be provided to “students with exceptional need”. The Board will give these students priority.
- The urgency of the hardship.
- A change in financial situation.
- The degree to which the emergency impacts the student’s academic or living situation or their ability to continue their education at Centenary.
- The availability of other support or resources that can be accessed for the particular situation.
- Additional information supplied by others, such as advisors or advocates, to substantiate or clarify the student’s circumstance or need.
US Department of Education CARES Reporting
1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department 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 to students.
On 14 April 2020 Centenary University signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education an acknowledgement for Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution 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.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
$3,259,691 is the total amount of funds awarded to Centenary University by the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
As of 30 September 2020, a total of $439,311.15 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants have been distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 13 November 2020, a total of $513,155.33 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 30 December 2020, a total of $565,635.51 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 15 February 2021, a total of $565,635.51 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 31 March 2021, a total of $628,935.36 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 14 May 2021, a total of $1,043,439.90 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 30 June 2021, a total of $1,237,007.21 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 31 July 2021, a total of $1,306,449.25 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 30 September 2021, a total of $1,410,961.00 of Emergency Financial Aid Grants was distributed to Centenary students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution 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.
There are approximately 1,243 students at who are 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 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of 30 September 2020, a total of 893 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 13 November 2020, a total of 902 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 30 December 2020, a total of 916 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 15 February 2021, a total of 916 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 31 March 2021, a total of 922 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.>/p>
As of 14 May 2021, a total of 946 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 30 June 2021, a total of 946 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 31 July 2021, a total of 946 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
As of 30 September 2021, a total of 973 students have received awards in the distribution of CARES Act funds at Centenary University.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The University believes that all of its students have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to an online learning environment. In accordance with the intent of the federal CARES Act, to get funds to those individuals in need of emergency funding to help offset unanticipated costs, an initial disbursement of $300 per qualified student was awarded to help offset the cost of moving to on-line instruction, such as the need for a lap top, hot spots, moving costs, etc.
Students with additional financial needs brought on by the disruption in university operations were directed to an application site to request additional CARES Act funding. Evaluation panels reviewed each application in terms of two criteria: urgency of need and level of financial hardship. This mechanism was set up using the model of the existing Staff Senate Emergency Fund process.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Instructions, directions and guidance about applying for the Centenary CARES Emergency Relief Grants can be found at the following link.
- 3rd Quarter 2020 Budget and Expenditure Report is located here.
- 4th Quarter 2020 Budget and Expenditure Report is located here.
- 1st Quarter 2021 Budget and Expenditure Report is located here.
- 2nd Quarter 2021 Budget and Expenditure Report is located here.
- 3rd Quarter 2021 Budget and Expenditure Report is located here.