The CARES Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

On April 21, 2020, the University signed and returned to ED the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the University 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.

In accordance with the Certification and Agreement, the University is eligible to receive up to $7,186,610 in HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. While the University received confirmation of the availability of these funds on April 28, 2020, as of the reporting date the University has not drawn down the available funds.

As of the reporting date, the University has not distributed any HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. The University finalized a policy regarding the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds and is developing an online application process for students to request these grants. The University expects to be in a position to distribute funds beginning in June 2020.

As of March 13, 2020, the University estimates that approximately 15,500 students, including students enrolled in associate’s, bachelor’s, graduate, and professional programs, may be eligible for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. This represents approximately 70% of the University’s total enrollment of approximately 22,000 students.

As of the reporting date, no students have received HEERF Student Share Grants. The University finalized its policy regarding the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds and is developing an online application process for students to request these grants with a third party service provider. The University expects to be in a position to distribute funds beginning in June 2020.

DePaul University referenced the Department of Education guidelines to determine which students would be eligible to receive HEERF Student Share Grants.  Student eligibility was based on the following criteria:

1.    The student was enrolled on March 13, 2020, in what were intended to be face-to-face classes.

2.    The student incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

3.    The student was eligible under section 484 of the Higher Education Act to receive title IV aid at the time of the disruption or shortly thereafter.

In an effort to implement the HEERF provisions in an efficient, effective and expedient way, the University will distribute an equal amount of funds ($500.00) to each eligible student who certify that they have incurred expenses related to the disruption in campus operations due to the coronavirus. The University will continue its outreach to eligible students until all HEERF Student Share Grant Funds are distributed. 

To receive a HEERF Student Share Grant, eligible students must complete an online application certifying that they have incurred expenses related to the disruption in campus operations due to the coronavirus.  They must also confirm their acceptance of the grant (eligible students may choose to forego the HEERF Student Share Grant and make the funds available for other eligible students).  Students who accept the grant will receive an additional communication to clarify the method in which they would like to take delivery of the funds, either through an ACH disbursement or a paper check.  The University, through a third party service provider, disburses HEERF student share grant funds weekly.

For additional information regarding CARES Act Funds, please visit DePaul University’s CARES Act FAQ page.