The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II provided emergency funding to universities to assist students in need during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, this funding was known as the CARES Act Funding.
CRRSAA provided more than $21 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Millsaps College received $380,920 to provide directly to students for any component of the 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.
In order to both distribute funds as quickly as possible as well as to also ensure support of students with exceptional need or extenuating circumstances, Millsaps distributed the CRRSAA funds in two ways.
- First, the college distributed emergency grants to federal aid applicants with the greatest identified need. All recipients for this round of funds had a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Financial Aid Office and received financial aid for the spring 2021 semester. Students with an outstanding balance who qualified for these funds received an email to their Millsaps email address to confirm how they would like their funds distributed. Students without an outstanding balance had a check mailed to their permanent address on file. Grants were distributed in the amount of $1,000-$1,500 for each eligible student depending on Pell Grant eligibility. As of May 31, 2021, we distributed $232,500 to 191 students through this method.
- Second, the college distributed any remaining CRRSAA funds to eligible students who had additional expenses or who incurred hardship because of COVID-19. Students submitted a request for these emergency funds by completing an application. Students who received the initial distributions were eligible to apply for additional emergency grant funds as well as students who did not receive first-round funding. Funds were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis taking into account exceptional need. As of May 31, 2021, we distributed $148,420 to 179 students through this method.
International, non-U.S.-citizen, and students who have ceased enrollment prior to March 13, 2020, were not eligible for CRRSAA funding.
At this time, Millsaps has distributed all Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II funds to students. As of May 31, 2021, the distributed amount totaled $380,920 to 315 students.
Please contact caresfunding@millsaps.edu for further information.
CRRSAA FAQs
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II provides emergency funding to universities to assist students in need during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, this funding was known as the CARES Act Funding.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for CRRSAA funding if you are currently an enrolled undergraduate, graduate, or non-degree student or you were enrolled at Millsaps on or after March 13, 2020.
International and non-U.S. citizen students are not eligible for CRRSAA funding.
How do I apply?
The initial distribution of emergency grants will be awarded based on Pell eligibility. Students will receive an e-mail to their Millsaps e-mail address if they are awarded a grant with instructions on how to accept this award.
The remaining funds will be distributed based on an application process. Students may request funds via our online application.
CRRSAA Emergency Grant Application
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II provides emergency funding to universities to assist students in need during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020, this funding was known as the CARES Act Funding.
CRRSAA provides more than $21 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Millsaps College has received $380,920 to provide directly to students for any component of the 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.
How much will I receive?
We are committed to assisting all eligible students that may have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic to the greatest extent possible with the CRRSAA funds available.
The initial distribution of emergency grants is based on Pell eligibility. Eligible students will receive funds as follows: students receiving full Pell grants will receive $1,500 and students receiving partial Pell grants will receive $1,000.
The remaining funds will be distributed through an application process. Students should request funds based on their actual financial need for expenses related to any component of their 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. The actual amount each student will receive is based on the number of applications received and the funds available taking into consideration students with exceptional need. Student grants will be considered up to $6,345 as suggested by the Department of Education.
How will I receive this money?
Students can choose to have their CRRSAA funds applied directly to any outstanding balance on their student account or elect to receive a check. Students who are awarded in the initial distribution will receive an email to make this election. Students who apply for funds should make this election on their application. If a student requests to receive a check, the check will be mailed to their permanent address on file in the college’s Office of Records. To update your permanent address, complete and submit a change of address form.
Do I need to repay the money?
No, you will not need to repay any money received through this fund.
Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the coronavirus, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Can I use this money to pay my student account balance?
Students can choose to have their CRRSAA funds applied directly to any outstanding balance on their student account. Students who are awarded in the initial distribution will receive an email to make this election. Students who apply for funds should make this election on their application.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion
