HEERF Grant

HEERF-I

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). 

On April 9, 2020, the Department published documents related to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including a letter from Secretary Betsy DeVos (PDF), a form Certification and Agreement (PDF) for signing and returning by institutions to access the funds, and a list of institutional allocations under 18004(a)(1) (PDF).

Acknowledgement: 
Midwestern University signed and returned the Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students on April 22, 2020. The institution used 100% of the funds to HEERF grants to students (this was higher than the 50% amount mandated to be used as grants to students). Midwestern also received Grant Award Notifications from the U.S. Department of Education for HEERF-II and HEERF-III funds.

HEERF-II

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. The Notice of Proposed Institutional Eligibility Criteria for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Supplemental Aid to Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE) Program can referenced for details. Midwestern University has received it’s grant funding in the amount of approximately $2.8 million. Continuing with our focus on student success and well-being, we will be making 100% of these funds available for student grants.

HEERF-III

Legislation for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III, was enacted by the Federal government in the Spring of 2021. Midwestern University has received its portion of the grant funding. Continuing with our focus on student success and well-being at the forefront, we will be making 100% of these funds available for student grants.

The following list is in reference to the amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grant funding received, scheduled, and distributed to Midwestern University and its students.

HEERF-I

The total amount of funds that the institution received under the HEERF-I student portion is $1,127,563. The institution has received all $1,127,563.

The total amount of funds that the institution received under the HEERF-I institutional portion is $1,127,563. The institution has received all $1,127,563.

HEERF-II

The total amount of funds that the institution received under the HEERF-II student portion is $1,127,563. The institution has received all $1,127,563. 

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive under the HEERF-II institutional portion is $1,674,909. The institution has received $1,674,909.

HEERF-III

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive under the HEERF-III student portion is $2,591,188. The institution has received $2,591,188.

 The total amount of funds that the institution will receive under the HEERF-III institutional portion is $2,591,187. The institution has received $2,591,187.

HEERF-I

The total amount that has been distributed to students as of June 30, 2022: $2,255,126. This includes both HEERF-I student and institutional portions. The University has elected to provide all HEERF-I amounts to students in the form of grants.

HEERF-II

The total amount that has been distributed to students as of June 30, 2022: $2,802,472. This includes both HEERF-II student and institutional portions. The University has elected to provide all HEERF-II amounts to students in the form of grants.

HEERF-III

The total amount that has been distributed to students as of June 30, 2022: $5,182,375. This includes both HEERF-III student and institutional portions. The University has elected to provide all HEERF-III amounts to students in the form of grants.

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and therefore eligible to receive an emergency grant as of June 30, 2022 is 6,905.

HEERF-I

The total number of individual HEERF-I grants awarded as of June 30, 2022 is 2,561.

HEERF-II

The total number of individual HEERF II grants awarded as of June 30, 2022 is 4,029.

HEERF-III

The total number of individual HEERF III grants awarded as of June 30, 2022 is 5,968.

Students may have received HEERF-I, HEERF-II, and HEERF-III grants.

HEERF-I Grants

Midwestern followed the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance on administering the CARES HEERF grants as required by the law. Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).  

Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), received HEERF-I emergency financial aid grants as outlined in the U.S. Department of Education guidance on April 21, 2020.

HEERF-II & HEERF-III Grants

To be eligible under Section 484 in Title IV of the HEA you must be enrolled and currently attending. We take our role in administering the CARES HEERF program seriously. We are administering the program based on the regulatory language and guidance provided.

Students must be registered and attending at Midwestern University for the quarter they receive the award. Award amounts will be based on student need as determined by the Student Financial Services Office.

We take our role in administering the HEERF programs seriously. We are administering the program based on the regulatory language and guidance provided.

Each student must complete an application and submit supporting documentation. Each application is reviewed and a determination is made if the students request meets the qualifications. All applications that are approved then receive a second review and administrative approval prior to being processed and disbursed. The maximum grant amount for students is $1,200. The actual grant depends on the students request type and availability of funds. 

Midwestern set up a HEERF grant web page to provide information to students on the HEERF Grant program. 

This page provides detailed information on the eligibility requirements and how to apply.

HEERF-I

Students received information from our President on April 23, 2020 (PDF).

Students on both campuses also received direct information on the HEERF-I Grant program for our financial aid offices on April 24, 2020:

• Downers Grove, IL HEERF-I (PDF)
• Glendale, AZ HEERF-I (PDF).

HEERF-II

Students on both campuses received direct information on the HEERF-II Grant program for our financial aid offices on March 1, 2021:

• Downers Grove, IL HEERF-II (PDF)
• Glendale, AZ HEERF-II (PDF)

HEERF-III

Students on both campuses received direct information on the HEERF-III Grant program for our financial aid offices on July 8, 2021:

• Downers Grove, IL HEERF-III (PDF)
• Glendale, AZ HEERF-III (PDF)