CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting

 

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) was authorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by the United States Congress on March 27, 2020 to help institutions and their students overcome the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teaching and learning.

Since passing the CARES Act, two additional pieces of legislation have been passed, each providing resources to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law December 27, 2020, and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The funds provided through each of these bills, starting with the most recent, are referred to as HEERF III (ARP), HEERF II (CRRSAA) and HEERF I (CARES Act).

HEERF III (ARP)

The Cleveland Institute of Music has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP (a)(1) program will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  • CIM was allocated $225,824 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students was $225,824. All HEERF funds have been fully expended.
  • The estimated total number of students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the ARP (a)(1) program was 166.
  • The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) program was 166.
  • In August 2021, a committee of administrative staff determined eligibility by examining the pool of undergraduate and graduate students, including international students, who had been enrolled in the Spring 2020, Fall, 2020, or Spring 2021 semesters; who were enrolled in classes for the upcoming Fall 2021 semester; and who demonstrated unmet financial need based on the 2021-22 FAFSA (total budget less institutional grants, other grants, state grants, and expected family contribution). A similar budget process was used for international students, as they do not complete the FAFSA. Based on this examination, 147 students were eligible for an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. All 147 were awarded a grant. CIM distributed checks directly to students; no application was required. These students were emailed on August 12, 2021, notifying them of the award. In September 2021, using the same criteria, the committee reviewed additional students who registered for classes or submitted a FAFSA, bringing the total number of eligible students and the number of students who received funds to 166.
  • These students were emailed on September 9, 2021, notifying them of the award.
  • The total amount of financial assistance awarded through September 30, 2021 was $179,382.48.
  • View the quarterly report on Emergency Financial Aid Grants for the quarter ending September 30, 2021.
  • Beginning in October 2021, students were allowed to express additional financial need and hardship. A committee of administrative staff reviewed these requests for further financial assistance. Between October 1 and December 31, 2021, <10 students received support totaling $10,000, which brought the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students to $189,382.48.
  • View the quarterly report on Emergency Financial Aid Grants for the quarter ending December 31, 2021.
  • Between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022, fourteen students received emergency grants. These students expressed additional financial need and hardship, via an appeal form found on CIM's intranet and available to all enrolled students. These requests were reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a committee of administrative staff. Fourteen students received HEERF funds, which totaled $36,441.52, bringing the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students to $225,824, the total amount that CIM received.
  • View the final quarterly report on Emergency Financial Aid grants for the quarter ending March 31, 2022.

HEERF II (CRRSAA)

The Cleveland Institute of Music has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the applicable amount of funds received under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  • CIM was allocated $93,134 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students was $93,134. All HEERF II funds have been fully expended.
  • The estimated total number of students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under the CRRSAA program was 200.
  • The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA program was 143.
  • To comply with the mandate to prioritize the neediest students for these funds, a committee of administrative staff awarded undergraduate and graduate students who had submitted a 2020-21 FAFSA (it was assumed a student had no financial need if a FAFSA was not submitted) and showed unmet need before Pell grants (total budget less institutional grants, other grants, state grants, and expected family contribution). CIM distributed checks directly to students; no application was required. These students were emailed on March 22, 2021, notifying them of the award.
  • The committee believes this method appropriately prioritizes the needs of CIM’s students who receive Pell grants and best addresses the needs of our students.

HEERF I (CARES Act)

The Cleveland Institute of Music has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  • CIM was allocated $93,134 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
  • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students was $93,134. All HEERF I funds have been fully expended.
  • The estimated total number of students 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 was 200.
  • The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was 200.
  • CIM’s method of evaluating eligibility was based on an extensive weekly review process by a committee of administrative staff and approval from leadership, as well as confirmation that all requests met the requirements detailed by the U.S. Department of Education. Students completed an application to identify their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Grant amounts were evaluated for reasonableness and prioritized based on need, with specific prioritization placed on needs for food, housing, and health care. Following the awarding of these requests, additional assistance grants of approximately $167 were awarded to students who met the Department of Education eligibility requirements.
  • CIM sent an email on April 13, 2020 to all enrolled students detailing the intent of the funding and how to request a grant.

The Cleveland Institute of Music recognizes that some students who applied, but were ineligible, for HEERF grants were in urgent need. To support those students, CIM distributed separate funding to 31 additional students in serious need. Many thanks to Partners for CIM for providing a special gift in support of this extraordinary need.

In addition to providing aid to students, HEERF provided funding to help schools support their students, implement public health measures, and develop remote learning programs. Participating colleges and universities are required to provide quarterly expenditure reports to the public.

These expenditure reports are included in the quarterly reports below.

Quarterly Reports

View all the HEERF quarterly reports: