Coronavirus Response and relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

On December 27, 2020 the Coronavirus Response and relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law by the President of the United States in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CRRSAA includes additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funds, referred to as HEERF II, in the amount of $22.7 billion in emergency funding to higher education.

Student Aid

On January 14, 2021 the Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education provided allocations to colleges and universities and instructed colleges and universities to prioritize distribution to students with exceptional need. These funds must be reserved to provide students with financial grants, which may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Accordingly, Fairfield University acknowledges the following:

1. On January 17, 2021, Fairfield University received notice that a supplemental award has been made to the university under section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA notifying institutions of the minimum amount each institution must reserve for emergency grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that Fairfield University will receive from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA for emergency grants to students is $1,068,679.
3. The total amount of emergency grants to students under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA as of May 10, 2021 is $1,068,679.
4. Presently, it is estimated that there are 5513 total enrolled students at Fairfield University and thus eligible to receive emergency grants to students under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA
5. As of May 10, 2021, 4,576 students have received an emergency grant under Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA.
6. Fairfield University used the following method to determine which students may receive emergency grants under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA.
   
   1. $200 to undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students whom are U.S. Citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time, as defined by Fairfield University, as of the October 01, 2020 census date.
   2. An additional $400 to those above eligible students whom also received a federal Pell grant.
   3. Any remaining funds will be distributed to less than full –time Pell eligible students whom were enrolled as of the October 01, 2020 census date, as equally as possible, until all funds have been exhausted.
   4. Lastly, any funds not distributed according to the above methods will next be distributed to any Pell eligible student whom enrolled at Fairfield University as a transfer student in the Spring semester of 2021.
7. The following information was provided by Fairfield University to students concerning the emergency grants, view document.

The guidance for the HEERF II grant provides the option for a student with an outstanding balance to apply the grant amount to the balance with written authorization. If you have an outstanding balance on your account and would like to opt-in to this choice, please complete the authorization form by April 2, 2021.

The authorization form: https://www.fairfieldsurveys.com/f/41555699/1297/.

Forms not received by the deadline will have the grant funds automatically refunded in the form of a check to the mailing address on file with the University.

If you have questions, please contact CaresAct@fairfield.edu for assistance.

Institutional Aid

On January 14, 2021 the Acting Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education provided allocations to colleges and universities which allow institutions to use these supplemental grant funds for costs to defray expenses associated with coronavirus (including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, and payroll), and to carry out student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related to coronavirus. Accordingly, Fairfield University acknowledges the following:

1. On January 17, 2021, Fairfield University received notice that a supplemental award has been made to the university under section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA.
2. The total amount of funds that Fairfield University will receive for institutional aid from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA is $2,394,649.
3. The total amount of funds received by the university for the institutional portion under Section 314(a)(1) of CRRSAA as of September 30, 2021 is $2,394,649.