CARES Act: HEERF I Awards

As a result of the passage of Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a funding source was established for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.  This fund directs institutions of higher education to use no less than 50 percent of funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students who incurred “expenses related to the disruption of campus such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.”  The emergency relief funding that is to be directly distributed for Radford University students is $4,546,102.   

The allocation strategy Radford University will use to best address the requirements and intent of the funding program was developed ensure students receive the support needed in a fair, equitable and expedient manner.  In so doing, we have developed two funding mechanisms that account for both an automatic awarding program (Radford CARES Grant Program) that will be disbursed quickly, as well as an application-based awarding program (Emergency CARES Grant Program) that will be available according to the schedule below.

Student Eligibility:  In reviewing guidance provided by the Department of Education, Radford University has determined the following eligibility requirements. To be eligible for an Emergency Financial Aid Grant from funds received under the CARES Act for Radford University a student must: 

a. Have been enrolled for Spring term, 2020 at Radford University Main Campus or Radford University Carilion (RUC) as of March 6, 2020, in an on-ground (not fully online) program.

b. Have been Title IV eligible (defined as having a completed financial aid analysis from the 2019-2020 FAFSA on file from the Department of Education) as of March 6, 2020.

c. Radford CARES Grant Program – A student must meet above eligibility criteria and be an undergraduate or graduate student.  Awards are based on students enrolled in six or more hours with additional adjustments for students less than six hours.

d.  Emergency CARES Grant Program – A student must meet above eligibility criteria and be an undergraduate or graduate student.

CARES Award Programs

As of February 15, 2021 Radford University will no longer accept Emergency CARES Grant requests.  All requests that are submitted by 11:59:59 PM on February 15, 2021 will be reviewed for the maximum award eligibility.  No revisions or additional requests will be processed after this time.

As of November 5, 2020 Radford University has modified the award maximum available to students.  All students who were previously eligible and received a Radford CARES Grant award can now apply to receive a maximum of $1,500 in CARES program funding.  Students are now eligible to request up to $1,250 in the Emergency CARES grant program.  If a student has previously submitted an Emergency CARES award application and was not eligible to receive the funding, the student will be required to submit a new Emergency CARES award application to be reconsidered.  No one student total from both the Radford and Emergency CARES programs will exceed $1,500. 

  1. Radford CARES Grant Program - This award is based on the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as established by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the Spring, 2020 semester.  The awards will range from $250-$1,000 and are based on EFC ranges, with the highest need students receiving the higher awards.  These awards will be automatically sent out to students following the schedule below.  This program is available to undergraduate and graduate students.  The chart for awarding will be shared upon distribution of the awards (as outlined below) at this site.
  2. Emergency CARES Grant Program - This award is based on unique student circumstances and will be an application-based program available to both undergraduate and graduate students. The maximum award for this program will be $250 and will be distributed, as funds are available, for needs demonstrated as a result of additional unanticipated expenses as a result of COVID-19 displacement beyond the Radford CARES Grant Program allocation awarded.  No one student total from both the Radford and Emergency CARES programs will exceed $1,000.  The application and awarding process for this program will be available following the initial distribution of the Central Award Program.
  3.  Timeline for Distribution of Funds - The following timeline will be enacted to assure an effective distribution of funds:

a. April-May, 2020:  Awarding methodology finalized and approved

b. Radford CARES Grant Program aid distributed no later than the week of June 15, 2020

c. Emergency CARES Grant Program application available June 15, 2020

   

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Additional Regulatory Compliance

As of September 30, 2021, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of September 30, 2021, the University has disbursed $4,546,102 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

    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.

    As of September 30, 2021 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.

    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 September 30, 2021, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,468 students.

    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 remaining CARES funding was combined with other HEERF award programs and distributed to students using the ARP: HEERF III Award Program strategy.

    Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on September 7, 2021 and September 17, 2021 to all students who were eligible to receive the ARP: HEERF III Award Program.   This information is also published and updated on the ARP HEERF III Award Programs website.

    This is the final report for the CARES grant program as all funds have been distributed to students.

As of July 8, 2021

As of June 30, 2021, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of June 30, 2021, the University has disbursed $4,235,467 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

    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.

    As of June 30, 2021 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.

    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 June 30, 2021, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,468 students.

    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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.

    Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.

As of April 1, 2021

Please see the Quarterly Public Reporting Form for (a)(1) Institutional Portion requirement for the quarter ended March 31, 2021.

As of March 31, 2021, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of March 31, 2021, the University has disbursed $4,193,217 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

    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.

    As of March 31, 2021 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.

    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 March 31, 2021, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,468 students.

    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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.

    Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.

As of December 31, 2020

Please see the Quarterly Public Reporting Form for (a)(1) Institutional Portion requirement for the quarter ended December 31, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of December 31, 2020, the University has disbursed $4,145,370 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

    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.

    As of December 31, 2020 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.

    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 December 31, 2020, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,468 students.

    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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.

    Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.

 

As of October 30, 2020

Please see the Quarterly Public Reporting Form for (a)(1) Institutional Portion requirement for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

As of September 30, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of September 30, 2020, the University has disbursed $4,140,020 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

    *Correction to the total disbursed amount as of September 30, 2020, the University has disbursed $4,134,970 in emergency financial aid grants to students.
  2. 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.

    As of September 30, 2020 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.
  3. 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 September 30, 2020, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,468 students.
  4. 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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.
  5. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.



As of August 24, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of August 24, 2020, the University has disbursed $4,129,720 in emergency financial aid grants to students.
  2. 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.

    As of August 24, 2020 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.
  3. 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 August 24, 2020, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,465 students.
  4. 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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.
  5. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.

 

As of July 7, 2020, in compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. 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.

    As of July 7, 2020, the University has disbursed $3,957,500 in emergency financial aid grants to students.
  2. 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.

    As of July 7, 2020 the estimated number of students eligible to participate is approximately 6,400.
  3. 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 July 7, 2020, Radford University has disbursed emergency financial aid grants to 6,426 students.
  4. 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.

    This website defines the methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs.  As defined by the Radford CARES Grant Program and the Emergency CARES Grant program.
  5. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    A notification was sent to eligible students on June 15, 2020 to all students who were eligible to receive the Radford CARES Grant Program.  A second notification was sent to students on June 16, 2020 regarding the ability to apply for Emergency CARES Grant funds.  This information is also published on Radford CARES Grant Program page and the Emergency CARES Grant Program page.

In compliance with the Department of Education “Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students” directive dated May 6, 2020, Radford University verifies the following:

  1. An acknowledgement 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.

    Radford University acknowledges that the Certification and Agreement was signed on April 10, 2020 and submitted to the Department of Education via grants.gov on April 13, 2020. Radford University intents 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.

    Radford University has received $4,546,102 in G5 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 May 23, 2020, Radford University has not distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  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.

    As of May 23, 2020, Radford University has not distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  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 May 23, 2020, Radford University has not distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  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 methodology for awarding the CARES Act aid programs will be released in coordination with the initial distribution of aid no later than the week of June 15, 2020.
  7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

    This website is Radford University’s notification to students on instructions, directions and guidance related to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

 

This site will be updated with new information as needed.