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 $34,575,144 in HEERF I, II and III Student Share Grant Funds. As of the reporting date the University has received $14,373,220 in HEERF Student Share Grant Funds.

As of the reporting date, the University has distributed $14,558,910 Student Share Grant Funds.

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, 7,987 students have received HEERF I and 7,738 students have received HEERF II Student Share funds as follows:

1.    7,983 students received an initial $500 disbursement and an additional $400 disbursement of HEERF Student Share Grant Funds.

2.    4 students received an initial $500 disbursement but declined the additional $400 disbursement of HEERF Student Share Grant Funds.

3.   7,738 students received HEERF II Student Share Grant Funds totaling $7,372,300.

4.    595 students elected to have HEERF II Funds applied to their student account.

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.

To receive a HEERF Student Share Grant, eligible students were required to complete an online application certifying that they had incurred expenses related to the disruption in campus operations due to the coronavirus.  They also had to confirm their acceptance of the grant (eligible students could choose to forego the HEERF Student Share Grant and make the funds available for other eligible students).  Students who accepted the grant received 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, disbursed HEERF student share grant funds weekly. The application window is now closed. The University is currently only processing applications previously received.

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

HEERF Student 30 Day Report.pdf

HEERF Student Funds 45 Day Progress Report as of July 10 2020.pdf

HEERF Student Funds 45 Day Progress Report as of August 24th 2020.pdf

HEERF Student Funds Quarterly Progress Report as of September 30th 2020.pdf

HEERF Student Funds Quarterly Progress Report as of December 31st 2020.pdf