HEERF I, II, & III QUARTERLY REPORT
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities Act (CARES Act)
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Report
Reporting as of April 10, 2022
HEERF 1: West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) received federal funding under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These grants provide emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), found in Section 18004 of the CARES Act, provides funding to institutions of higher education “to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.” The information below is intended not only to meet the reporting requirements of the CARES Act but also provide information to our community regarding West Chester University’s use of the student grant portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
HEERF II: West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) received additional federal funding under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). The U.S. Department of Education has expanded upon guidance previously provided under CARES for awarding of HEERF II funds to include the ability to award students who are exclusively in distance education courses and for the use of direct cost of attendance expenditures. However, CRRSAA also stipulates that funding should be prioritized with those who have exceptional need such as students who receive Pell grants and balances can only be paid with student grant funding if the institution collects written consent from the student.
HEERF III: West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) received funding under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) with $16,435,339 designated for student emergency funds under Section 2003(a)(1). U.S. Department of Education expanded guidance for awarding ARP funds to be inclusive of non-citizens and for any period of enrollment from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, West Chester University decided to expand awards to all students enrolled in the spring term in response to operational disruptions from remote operations. Methodology included using the Expected Family Contribution from the 2020-21 FAFSA as a measurement of need as ARP continued to state priority should be given to students with exceptional need.
April 2022 Update: We are currently in the process of reviewing uncashed refund checks for HEERF III funding using the West Chester University Uncashed Refund Check Policy which is inclusive of title IV aid regulator guidance. If impacted students do not respond to correspondence and funds are cancelled, then applications collected during the fall 2021 term will be used to award these recouped funds during spring 2022.