Previous Reports:
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HEERF I: CARES Act.
HEERF I is authorized by the CARES Act (“Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act”), enacted on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act is a federal stimulus package meant to ease economic burdens related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This federal legislation provides funds to Colleges and Universities through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act allows institutions to: 1) use up to one-half of the total funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus; and 2) distribute no less than 50% of its total allotment under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
HEERF I BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE REPORTING
- HEERF I Institutional Portion
- HEERF I Institutional Portion (Amendment - March 25, 2021)
- Report on HEERF I Student Financial Aid Grants
Union College submitted a signed Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 10, 2020 assuring the Department of the College’s intent to distribute no less than 50% of its total allotment under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Eligible students were chosen to receive these emergency funds based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education along with Union’s need-based financial aid awarding policies. Students who received the CARES Act emergency grants met the following criteria:
- Were enrolled in the winter 2020 term when the disruption of campus operations occurred and continue to be enrolled for the spring term;
- Qualify for Title IV federal student aid. The criteria to participate in Title IV programs include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service if required; and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting; and
- Currently receive need-based scholarship or grant assistance.
The grants will be distributed to eligible students to assist with expenses such as moving, housing, food, technology, or other costs related to the ongoing pandemic.
The total funding to Union College allocated through the CARES Act is $1,159,940. Fifty percent of that amount, $579,970, will be distributed in the form of emergency grants to students. The remainder of the CARES Act funding or the Institutional portion is intended to offset the College’s loss of revenue and increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approximately 1,250 students at the College are eligible to participate in programs under the Federal Title IV financial aid. Of those students, 994 meet the additional required criteria to qualify for a CARES Act emergency grant. All 994 eligible students will receive an equal distribution of the CARES Act funds in the amount of $575.
On or after March 27, 2020, several students received institutionally funded assistance as a result of the pandemic and disruption of campus operations. Approximately 70 students received such emergency funding from the College. The balance of $8,420 remaining in the CARES Act fund will be used to reimburse the College for those expenditures.
Questions regarding the emergency grants should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@union.edu or call (518) 388-6123.
Spending to date:
May 21, 2020 $571,550
July 1, 2020 $579,970 - FINAL
- HEERF I Institutional Portion
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HEERF II: CRRSAA.
HEERF II is authorized by the CRRSAA (“Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act”), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
HEERF II BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE REPORTING
- HEERF II Institutional Portion
- Report on HEERF II Student Financial Aid Grants
Quarterly Report – Period Ending 12/31/2021
Quarterly Report - Period Ending 03/31/2022The total funding to Union College for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students allocated under the CRRSAA (“Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act”), Public Law 116-260, is $579,970. Union College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Eligible students were chosen to receive these emergency funds based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education along with Union’s need-based financial aid awarding policies. Students who received the CRRSAA emergency grants met the following criteria:
- Actively enrolled for the spring 2021 term
- Recipient of need-based scholarship or grant assistance
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident with demonstrated need at qualifying levels
Under the CRRSAA, funding provides financial aid grants to students which can be used to assist with any component of the cost of attendance at the College or for circumstances that arise as a result of the pandemic. Examples of additional expenses or financial burdens include items such as technology, course materials, health care, food, housing, grocery deliveries, and in some cases the inability to work and earn funds at the level prior to the pandemic.
We identified 998 students who met the required criteria to qualify for a CRRSAA emergency grant.
In February 2021, several students received assistance who were unable to work as a result of the pandemic. Approximately 204 students received such emergency funding totaling $31,898.45 from the College.
In June 2021, all 998 eligible students received an emergency grant ranging from $200 to $700 totaling $525,225. The grants were prioritized based on level of exceptional need. Pell eligible and other students demonstrating exceptional need received the larger grants. An additional $12,900 was provided to 17 eligible students to assist with their summer housing costs while on campus.
The balance of $9,946.55 will be used in the coming months and will be reported accordingly in the next reporting period.
In July 2021, we provided $1,230 to three eligible students to assist with their summer housing costs while on campus.
The remaining balance of $8,716.55 will be used to help currently enrolled students with expenses related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
From January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 we provided emergency grants to 2 students totaling $6,566.55 to help currently enrolled students with expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a balance of $2,150.00 remaining on Union College’s Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students allocated under the CRRSAA.
Students receiving emergency grants received a letter from the College, and all students with questions concerning the emergency grants are instructed to contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@union.edu or call (518) 388-6123.
Spending to date:
Quarter End 03/31/2021 - $31,898.45
Quarter End 06/30/2021 - $538,125.00
Quarter End 09/30/2021 - $1,230.00
Quarter End 12/31/2021 - $0.00
Quarter End 03/31/2022 - $6,566.55
Cumulative spending to date - $577,820.00
Balance remaining - $2,150.00
- HEERF II Institutional Portion
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HEERF III: ARP.
HEERF III is authorized by the ARP (“American Rescue Plan”), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.
HEERF III BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE REPORTING
- HEERF III Institutional Portion
- Report on HEERF III Student Financial Aid Grants
Quarterly Report - Period Ending 12/31/2021
Quarterly Report - Period Ending 03/31/2022
Quarterly Report - Period Ending 03/31/2022 - Amended 05/19/2022
Quarterly Report - Period Ending 03/31/2022 - Amended 07/20/2022The total funding to Union College for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students allocated under the ARP (“American Rescue Plan”), Public Law 117-2, is $1,525,027. Union College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
In accordance with guidance received from the U.S. Department of Education, we reached out to financial aid recipients and encouraged families who had been impacted by the pandemic to reach out to the financial aid office. Students were informed that the College had received funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERFIII) created under the American Rescue Plan and those funds could be used towards any component of the student’s cost of attendance as well as emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus. Several families reached out to provide updated information related to their change in financial circumstances and were provided emergency grants. While all factors were considered through this appeal process, priority was given to students with exceptional need.
As of September 30, 2021, we have provided emergency grants to 62 students totaling $265,200. . [Begin Amendment posted 11/29/2021] We also provided summer housing assistance to 17 students totaling $10,980. [End amendment]
[Begin amendment posted 05/19/2022] As of September 30, 2021, we have provided emergency grants to 62 students totaling $265,200. We also provided summer housing assistance to 17 students totaling $10,380. [End amendment]
From October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021 we provided emergency grants to 23 students totaling $108,475
[Begin amendment posted 07/22/2022] From January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 we provided emergency grants in the amount of $41,175.00 awarded to 11 students who experienced hardship as a result of COVID-19. Due to the College going remote for the first week of Winter term and some employees continuing to work remotely throughout the month of January, we reimbursed students who were unable to continue with their work-study positions, amounting to a total of $54,471.85 (647 unduplicated students). There is a balance remaining of $1,045,325.15 on Union College for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students allocated under the ARP.
Spending to date:
Quarter End 06/30/2021 - $0.00
Quarter End 09/30/2021 - $265,200
Quarter End 09/30/2021 - $276,180 [Amended 11/29/2021]
Quarter End 09/30/2021 - $275,580 [Amended 05/19/2022]
Quarter End 12/31/2021 - $108,475
Quarter End 03/31/2022 - $88,646.85
Quarter End 03/31/2022 - $95,646.85 [Amended 07/22/2022]
Cumulative spending to date - $472,701.85 [Amended 05/19/2022]
Cumulative spending to date - $479,701.85 [Amended 07/22/2022]
Balance remaining - $1,052,325.15 [Amended 05/19/2022]
Balance remaining - $1,045,325.15 [Amended 07/22/2022]
- HEERF III Institutional Portion