CARES Act & HEERF Funds

CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress with overwhelming, bipartisan support and signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides stimulus and financial support to many sectors of the economy, including higher education. A portion of the funding package earmarked for colleges and universities is explicitly directed to provide emergency grants to students who were impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

Eligibility

Current degree-seeking students who were enrolled in on-campus classes during the spring 2020 semester (as of March 13, 2020) and are eligible to receive federal financial aid are eligible to request CARES Act funds. Students who meet these criteria must also confirm that they incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations.

If you have not filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and feel you are eligible for federal financial aid, you still have time to complete the FAFSA. Once you complete the FAFSA, continue to review your financial aid requirements in the Costs and Aid tab of your TUportal because you might have student eligibility requirements to complete before you can request CARES Act funding.

In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, international and undocumented students are not eligible to receive CARES Act grants. Please also note that any students who were enrolled in online-only programs prior to the suspension of in-person teaching are not eligible for CARES Act grants.

While we understand that each and every student has experienced an upheaval of their day-to-day life as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure that students with the most need are prioritized for these emergency funds. For this reason, students who received Federal Pell Grants for the spring 2020 semester are being automatically awarded CARES Act grants.

How will eligible Federal Pell grant recipients receive information on CARES Act grant eligibility?

Federal Pell grant recipients who are eligible for CARES Act funding will see a $800 grant disbursed to their student account on Tuesday May 12, 2020 and the refund will begin to generate by Wednesday May 13, 2020. The Office of Student Financial Services will also email all Federal Pell grant recipients on Tuesday May 12, 2020 to advise that the funding has been disbursed. And you can visit TUpay Student Choice Refunds (Costs & Aid Tab in TUportal) for the status of your refund.

Federal Pell grant recipients who are eligible for CARES Act funding also received an additional $200 grant disburse to their student account on Thursday May 28, 2020. The refund generated and an email notification was sent.

Eligibile Federal Pell grant recipients that are matriculated students at Temple Japan will also see the $1000 USD grant disbursed to their student account, however it will take a few more days for the disbursement to be finalized and the standard currency conversion to Yen. Temple Japan students will receive an email from the Office of Student Financial Services with more information.

How can Temple students use emergency funds provided through the CARES Act?

As required by the legislation, CARES Act funds may be used only to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (this includes expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child-care expenses).

How can students request funding?

Students who are already eligible for federal financial aid based on their 2019-2020 FAFSA can apply for a CARES Act grant using an online form that will be available to eligible students in TUportal.

The deadline to complete the TUportal form to request CARES Act funds is May 15, 2020.

What expenses will be considered in a request for a CARES Act grant?

Expenses you incurred as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 health emergency, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and child care. Here are some examples:

  • You lived on campus or used a meal plan and now you are experiencing housing or food insecurity.
  • You routinely used the computer labs to do your schoolwork, but now need a computer to continue your education remotely.
  • You needed to purchase Internet access for your home (including a “hotspot” or other equipment).
  • You received health services through Student Health Services and now need to seek treatment elsewhere that is not covered by your insurance.
  • The childcare center your dependent attended closed and you’ve had to hire alternative care so that you can continue your coursework.
  • You incurred transportation expenses returning home or storing your personal belongings because you could not return to campus to retrieve them.
  • You incurred nonrefundable expenses related to study abroad travel that was either cancelled or shortened unexpectedly.
How much funding can I receive?

Awards will be determined on a case-by-case basis and relative to available funding at the time of the request. Depending on the number of requests received, the expected minimum grant will be $400. Students will be notified of the exact amount in their TUportal student account (TUpay).

When can I expect to receive the funds once I submit my request?

Requests for CARES Act grants will be reviewed following the May 15, 2020 deadline. Once your request is reviewed and approved, you will see the grant disburse through your student account and processed as a refund. If you are already signed up for direct deposit, the funds will be deposited in your account within three to four days. If you are not registered for direct deposit through TUpay, you will receive a paper check in the mail to your permanent address on file with the university. Student Financial Services encourages all students who are eligible for CARES Act funding to sign up for direct deposit in order to receive the funds as quickly as possible.

How will Temple determine which students will receive the funding and the amount of each grant?

Under the CARES Act, institutions must identify students who have incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible students will be notified to complete the form in TUportal.  

The amount of each grant will be determined on a case-by-case basis of need and the extent the loss of services impacted the student's continued pursuit of their education. The minimum grant will vary depending on the number of requests received,  and is expected to be about $400.

CARES Act grants will be available on a first-come basis and so long as funds are available. Our intention is to assist as many students as possible while being sensitive to need, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education's guidance. 

Do I have to file the FAFSA to receive funding?

Without the FAFSA on file, we have no way of knowing if you are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs. The criteria for eligibility include but are not limited to: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. Additionally, the student must not be in default or in a loan overpayment and must be making satisfactory academic progress (SAP), or on an approved SAP appeal/plan. 

If you do not have a FAFSA on file, we recommend you file the FAFSA now. We will review your financial aid file during the processing of the CARES Act grant request and may request additional documentation so that we can assist you to establish your eligibility.

Can I appeal the outcome of the request?

No, there are no appeals regarding the decision or the grant amount.

Will the funding be applied against an existing balance owed to the University?

No. The grant will be paid directly to you. It will disburse to your student account as a cash grant without regard to the balance owed. You will then receive direct payment in that amount, either by direct deposit or paper check. Under Department of Education guidance, the University may not apply the grant to your balance owed, even with your permission and request to do so. 

Is other financial support available to students at this time?

Temple is supporting students in need of financial aid relief in numerous ways. All students, regardless of CARES Act grant eligibility, are able to apply for emergency assistance.

Emergency Student Aid funding

Please note that the Cherry Pantry continues to be open and operational at its temporary location in the Temple University Police Morgan Hall Substation at 1601 N. Park Ave., located on the side of Morgan Hall South.

I received an emergency financial aid grant under CARES. Is this grant included in my gross income?

I am a student who received an emergency financial aid grant under section 3504, 18004, or 18008 of the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. Should I report this as part of my gross income on my taxes?

No. Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.  This grant is not includible in your gross income.

CARES Act Grants and Tuition & Fee Deductions

I received an emergency financial aid grant under the CARES Act and used some of it to pay for course materials that are now required for online learning because my college or university campus is closed.  Can I claim a tuition and fees deduction for the cost of these materials, or treat the cost of these materials as a qualifying education expense for purposes of claiming the American Opportunity Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit?

No. Because the emergency financial aid grant is not includible in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. See section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.

HEERF II Grant

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 included additional COVID-19 relief through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. This new COVID stimulus bill was signed into law 12/27/2020 and included funding for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding must be prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF II financial aid grants for students 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 childcare.

Eligibility

Current degree-seeking students who are enrolled during the spring 2021 semester and are eligible to receive federal financial aid are eligible to request HEERF II funds. Students who meet these criteria must also confirm that they have financial need and require emergency grant assistance.

If you have not filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and feel you are eligible for federal financial aid, you still have time to complete the FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Once you complete the FAFSA, continue to review your financial aid requirements in the Costs and Aid tab of your TUportal because you might have student eligibility requirements to complete before you can request HEERF II funding.

In accordance with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, international and undocumented students are not eligible to receive HEERF II funding. 

While we understand that each and every student has experienced an upheaval of their day-to-day life as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure that students with the most need are prioritized for these emergency funds. For this reason, students who received Federal Pell Grants for the spring 2021 semester are being automatically awarded HEERF II grants.

How will eligible Federal Pell grant recipients receive information on HEERF II grant eligibility?

Federal Pell grant recipients who are eligible for HEERF II funding will receive an email from the Office of Student Financial Services alerting them to the $1000 grant disbursed to their student account. A refund will be processed as a direct deposit or sent out as a paper check. You can review your student account details in the Costs & Aid tab of the TUportal. You can also visit TUpay Student Choice Refunds (Costs & Aid Tab in TUportal) for the status of your refund once you receive the email from the Office of Student Financial Services (could take a day or two to see the refund applied).

Eligible Federal Pell grant recipients that are matriculated students at Temple Japan will also see the $1000 USD grant disbursed to their student account, however it will take a few more days for the disbursement to be finalized and the standard currency conversion to Yen. Temple Japan students will receive an email from the TUJ Office of Student Services with more information.

How can Temple students use emergency funds provided through the HEERF II?

As required by the legislation, HEERF II funds may be used only to cover expenses related to 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 childcare.

How can students request funding?

Students who are already eligible for federal financial aid based on their 2020-2021 FAFSA can request the HEERF II student financial aid grant using an online form that will be available to eligible students in TUportal. The Office of Student Financial Services will notify all students when they are able to complete the survey.

What expenses will be considered in a request for a HEERF II grant?

The HEERF II grant funding may be used to cover expenses related to a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus during the spring 2021 semester, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Here are some examples:

  • You require assistance to pay your tuition, fees, housing (expenses related to living on campus, off campus or at home or with a relative or friend), meals or meal plan, books, supplies, transportation, health care or childcare. 
  • You routinely used the computer labs to do your schoolwork, but now need a computer to continue your education remotely.
  • You need to purchase Internet access for your home (including a “hotspot” or other equipment).
  • You need to seek healthcare treatment that is not covered by your insurance.
  • The childcare center your dependent attended is closed and you have had to hire alternative care so that you can continue your coursework.
  • You have transportation expenses.
How much funding can I receive?

Grant funding will be determined on a case-by-case basis and relative to available funding at the time of the request. Depending on the number of requests received, the expected minimum grant will be $400. Students will be notified of the exact amount via email from the Office of Student Financial Services, as well as in the Costs & Aid tab of their TUportal student account.

When can I expect to receive the funds once I submit my request?

Requests for HEERF II grants will be reviewed following the posted deadline. Once your request is reviewed and approved, you will see the grant disbursed through your student account and processed as a refund. If you are already signed up for direct deposit, the funds will be deposited in your account within three to four days. If you are not registered for direct deposit through TUpay, you will receive a paper check in the mail to your permanent address on file with the university. Student Financial Services encourages all students who are eligible for HEERF II funding to sign up for direct deposit in order to receive the funds as quickly as possible.

How will Temple determine which students will receive the funding and the amount of each grant?

Under the CRSSA Act, institutions must identify students with exceptional financial need, those that have an expense related to 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 childcare. Eligible students will be notified to complete the online form in TUportal.  

HEERF II grants will be available on a first-come basis and so long as funds are available. Our intention is to assist as many students as possible while being sensitive to need, in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education's guidance.

Do I have to file the FAFSA to receive funding?

Without the FAFSA on file, we have no way of knowing if you are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs and have financial need. The criteria for eligibility include but are not limited to U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. 

If you do not have a FAFSA on file, you can still file the FAFSA. We will review your financial aid file during the processing of the HEERF II grant request and may request additional documentation so that we can assist you to establish your eligibility.

Can I appeal the outcome of the request?

No, there are no appeals regarding the decision or the grant amount.

Will the funding be applied against an existing balance owed to the University?

No. The grant will be paid directly to you. It will disburse to your student account as a cash grant without regard to any balance owed to the university. You will then receive direct payment in that amount, either by direct deposit (recommended) or paper check. 

Is other financial support available to students at this time?

Temple is supporting students in need of financial aid relief in numerous ways. All students, regardless of HEERF II grant eligibility, can apply for emergency assistance.

The Student Emergency Aid Fund provides short-term financial assistance to students who have faced unforeseen circumstances and need support to continue their education.

The Cherry Pantry remains open and accessible at the Howard Gittis Student Center.

American Rescue Plan (ARP) & HEERF III

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education. This new COVID stimulus bill included $40 billion, available through September 30, 2023, for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The funding must be prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF III financial aid grants for students 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 childcare.

Eligibility

Current degree-seeking students who are enrolled during the fall 2021 semester and are eligible to receive federal financial aid may be eligible for HEERF III funds. Students that meet all criteria must also confirm that they have financial need and require emergency grant assistance. 

If you have not filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and feel you are eligible for federal financial aid, you still have time to complete the FAFSA. Once you complete the FAFSA, continue to review your financial aid requirements in the Costs and Aid tab of your TUportal because you might have student eligibility requirements to complete before you can request HEERF III funding.

While we understand that each and every student has experienced an upheaval of their day-to-day life as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure that students with the most need are prioritized for these emergency funds. For this reason, students who received Federal Pell Grants for the fall 2021 semester are being automatically awarded HEERF III grants.

How will eligible Federal Pell grant recipients receive information on HEERF III grant eligibility?

Federal Pell grant recipients who are eligible for HEERF III funding will receive an email from the Office of Student Financial Services alerting them to the grant disbursed to their student account. A refund will be processed as a direct deposit or sent out as a paper check. You can review your student account details in the Costs & Aid tab of the TUportal. You can also visit TUpay Student Choice Refunds (Costs & Aid Tab in TUportal) for the status of your refund once you receive the email from the Office of Student Financial Services (could take a day or two to see the refund applied).

How can Temple students use emergency funds provided through the HEERF III?

HEERF III funds may be used only to cover expenses related to 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 childcare.

hat expenses will be considered in a request for a HEERF III grant?

The HEERF III grant funding may be used to cover expenses related to a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus during the fall 2021 semester, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

Examples of such costs:

  • You require assistance to pay your tuition, fees, housing (expenses related to living on campus, off campus or at home or with a relative or friend), meals or meal plan, books, supplies, transportation, health care or childcare. 
  • You routinely used the computer labs to do your schoolwork, but now need a computer to continue your education remotely.
  • You need to purchase Internet access for your home (including a “hotspot” or other equipment).
  • You need to seek healthcare treatment that is not covered by your insurance.
  • The childcare center your dependent attended is closed and you have had to hire alternative care so that you can continue your coursework.
  • You have transportation expenses.
How can students request funding?

Eligible students who receive federal financial aid based on their 2021-2022 FAFSA will be able to request the HEERF III student financial aid grant using an online form that will be available in the TUportal. The Office of Student Financial Services will notify all eligible students when they are able to complete the survey.

When can I expect to receive the funds once I submit my request?

Requests for HEERF III grants will be reviewed following the posted deadline. Once your request is reviewed and approved, you will see the grant disbursed through your student account and processed as a refund. If you are already signed up for direct deposit, the funds will be deposited in your account within three to four days. If you are not registered for direct deposit through TUpay, you will receive a paper check in the mail to your permanent address on file with the university. Student Financial Services encourages all students who are eligible for HEERF III funding to sign up for direct deposit in order to receive the funds as quickly as possible.

Will the HEERF III grant impact my current financial aid?

No, the HEERF III grant funding has no impact to a student's financial aid. 

Can I appeal the outcome of the request?

No, there are no appeals regarding the decision or the grant amount.