HEERF Student Aid Funds (CARES)

The Federal Government established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Stability Act (CARES) on March 27, 2020 a portion of which, Student Aid Funds, is to be used to provide emergency assistance to students. Supplemental funds were later authorized through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA)/(HEERF II) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP)/(HEERF III) to continue support for institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUNY Broome has been allocated HEERF Student Aid Funds to provide emergency grants to students experiencing financial hardship specifically due to the COVID-19 pandemic for expenses related to any component of the student’s cost of attendance and/or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.

As a recipient of HEERF Student Aid Funds, SUNY Broome is required by the federal Education Department (ED) to report the following elements on a quarterly basis:

An acknowledgement that the certification agreement was signed and returned to the federal Education Department (ED) and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, all of the Student Aid Funds to provide emergency grants to students.
The total amount of HEERF Funds that the institution will receive or has received.
The total amount of emergency grants distributed to students.
The estimated total number of students eligible to receive an emergency grant.
The total number of students who received an emergency grant.
The method the institution used to determine which students will receive emergency grants and how much funding they will receive. [Awarding Methodology]
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the emergency grants.

CARES Act Student Portion

SUNY Broome acknowledges an authorized representative of the institution has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the institution has used no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

SUNY Broome received $2,182,436 from the Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. As of March 31, 2021 all funds were distributed to 2,750 students

SUNY Broome prioritized awarding of Emergency Financial Aid Grants to its students in the following manner:

The 1st round awards CARES Grant to all eligible students, with a higher award amount for those who are considered high need.

2nd Round CARES Emergency Grant- Application Period. The Application period is for students requiring funds beyond the base award granted.

Under Section 18004(a) (1) of the CARES Act, eligible students will receive awards ranging
from $225 to $2225

The College communicated directly with eligible students via email. All responses were captured and retained. SUNY Broome continued to receive applications until Mid-March when the funds were expended and the application was closed.

Eligibility

Students who were enrolled for the spring 2020 term and, based on U.S. Department of Education guidance, meet all of the following criteria are eligible:

The student incurred expenses directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to Covid-19
The student is eligible to receive Title IV funding (e.g., U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a valid Social Security number and registration with the Selective Service, if applicable) as determined by having filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and
The student was NOT exclusively enrolled in fully distance education or online program prior to March 19, 2020
Students must have been in good Academic Standing prior to start of spring 2020 semester
Students must not have withdrawn or walked away from all coursework

Allowable Expenses

Everyone’s specific expenses may vary – some typical examples might include, but are not limited to: Food – purchases of meals and groceries due to the dining hall being closed and students needing to relocate from the Student Village Housing – expenses associated with relocating due to the Student Village closing. Technology – computer hardware or software required for a particular class which the student did not already have and couldn’t reasonably or timely obtain from the College Transportation – the cost of an additional trip to/from your campus due to the migration to online courses or the cost of shipping your household goods home if you did not return to campus Course Materials- the cost of supplies you needed to purchase because you were not able to use them on campus Other – childcare or medical expenses if they were incurred because of the disruption in campus operations

How to Apply

At this time all CARES Student Emergency Funds Have been Allocated.

Impact on Financial Aid

This funding will not reduce your financial aid. It does not negate nor replace financial aid. Please note that if you receive an emergency grant it will be refunded to the student regardless of account standing; if you have not already selected your refund preference or are unsure of you refund preference you may verify by going to BankMobile

Tax Implications

Students interested in any tax or reporting requirements regarding receipt of a Federal Emergency Grant should monitor the IRS website. View the IRS’s FAQs.

Distribution

Please note that if you receive an emergency grant it will be refunded to the student regardless of account standing; if you have not already selected your refund preference or are unsure of you refund preference you may verify by going to BankMobile

Additional Help

The SUNY Broome Financial Aid Office is always willing to look at each student’s unique situation and may be able to offer some assistance through the various sources of aid available. Please contact us at finaid@sunybroome.edu or call us at 607-778-5028 option 8 for additional assistance.