CARES Act Funding Information

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act

As of 03/18/2021 the CARES Act HEERF funding has been exhausted so we are unable to take funding requests.

The University of Montana Report and Disclosure for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was approved by congress and provided funding for higher education, which included emergency grants, known as Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), for students who have experienced an unexpected expense or hardship as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

University of Montana has signed and returned to the US Department of Education the Certification and Agreement form on 4/13/2020, and has agreed to use no less than 50% of the funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students as directed in section 18004(a)(1). In total the University of Montana has received $7,652,275, of which $3,826,137.50 will be awarded as HEERF emergency aid to students, this HEERF allocation was received on 4/28/2020 via the federal disbursement system known as G5.

Qualifications

  • Recipients cannot be enrolled in an on-line only program.
  • Recipients must have incurred an expense as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis:
    • Examples of expenses that may have been incurred due to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis:
      • Technology and connectivity needs related to distance learning
      • Books and other instructional expenses
      • Housing/Rent/Utilities
      • Food/Groceries
      • Personal Automobile/Transportation
      • Medical/Healthcare Costs
  • Recipients must meet Title IV eligibility criteria from section 484 of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The summary of the requirements are:
    • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program.
    • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
    • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress.
    • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
    • Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
    • File “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification that includes:
      • A statement of educational purpose.
      • Student’s SSN
    • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
    • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or plead guilty or no contest to charges.
    • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
    • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
    • Have Selective Service registration verified.
    • Have Social Security Number verified.
    • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Procedure to Request Funds

Eligible students who met the minimum requirements for receiving HEERF grant aid were emailed a link to a brief application. Students who did not receive the initial application email were encouraged to email financial aid at faid@mso.umt.edu if they felt that they met the requirements but did not receive the survey link.

The application collected information on the expense(s) that were incurred and the dollar amount of the expense. The details of the student’s information and circumstances were kept confidential.

The Financial Aid Office staff reviewed the applications on a weekly basis and considered each request to determine whether the expense qualified for receiving the HEERF grant aid. Decisions were made as soon as possible and awarding was done weekly as applications were received, until all funding was exhausted as of 11/24/2020.

The Financial Aid Office will:

  • Review the application;
  • Decide to approve, deny or suggest other resources to address the need; and
  • If the application is approved, the staff will determine the appropriate dollar amount. Once the award is disbursed, the student will receive an email notification and the Business Services Office will refund the student based on the refund selection process they are previous indicated. If you are unsure which refund option you have indicated you can check this information in your Cyberbear account.

 Current Awarding Information

As of May 24th, 2021, 7,834 students have been encouraged to apply for the HEERF funding, of that population 1,995 have been awarded and total of $3,826,137 has been distributed for an average award of $1,918 per recipient.

Every 45 days this site will be updated with the total amount that has been distributed, the estimated total number of students at the institution who may be eligible to participate, and the total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant (HEERF).

Institutional Share of HEERF Reporting & Disclosures

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting required under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3).

The first report due October 30, 2020 and subsequent reports due no later than 10 days after the calendar quarter (January 10, April 10, July 10, October 10) will be posted at the link provided above.