CARES & CRRSAA Acts
Creighton University has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF).
View the quarterly budget and expenditure reports below for both the CARES Act and the CRRSAA Act that shows the use of funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
American Rescue Plan
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III Grants Through American Rescue Plan (ARP)
Creighton University signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF). Creighton University received $8,734,189, and $4,374,478 was used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students that needed additional assistance in meeting components of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare) or child care. Emergency assistance for these allowable expenses was provided in accordance with institutional policy and guidance from the US Department of Education. Creighton University had approximately 7,900 students who were eligible to apply for this grant funding. As of 8/30/2022 1018 students have received funding and $4,374,478 has been paid out to students.
If students experienced significant educational-related expenses as a result of COVID-19 and wanted to be considered for a CRRSAA grant, they were to complete our application for these funds, which became available September 29, 2021.
The deadline to complete the application was 11:59 p.m. on 10/10/2021. A review committee evaluated each request on an individual basis and grant award notifications were sent by 10/20/2021. Students had the opportunity to direct the funds to pay off their student account or to go directly to them.
This grant could be used for any component of student cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare) or child care. Prioritization was given to students with exceptional need.
The actual award amounts varied based on the number of requests for funding and a committee evaluation of financial need.
Students needed to be signed up for Direct Deposit in the NEST so that Creighton University could promptly make these grants available to the recipients.
CARES Act
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
Creighton University signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Creighton University received $3,193,342, and $1,596,671 was used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students who had expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Creighton University had approximately 3,600 students who were eligible to apply for this grant funding. Creighton University has awarded $1,596,671 to 621 eligible students who requested assistance from the CARES Act funds. The remainder of the funds were used to defray a portion of the increased institutional costs related to providing a safe campus and effective learning environment for our students, faculty and staff.
According to the CARES Act requirements, students must have been enrolled in an educational program that met on campus as of March 13, 2020. Students needed to be enrolled and eligible to receive Title IV federal student financial aid. In order to confirm eligibility for Title IV federal student aid, students needed to have a 2019-20 FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office. All requests for funds were reviewed by the Financial Aid Office to confirm student eligibility. Students enrolled exclusively online as of March 13, 2020, international and undocumented students were not eligible for HEERF awards.
Students who experienced any of the following educational-related costs as a result of COVID-19: housing, food, course materials, technology for on-line classes, healthcare or childcare expenses needed to complete an application for funds. Applications became available on May 15, 2020.
According to guidance from the Department of Education, the maximum award was $6,195. However, the actual award amounts varied based on the number of requests for funding and a committee evaluation of financial need.
CRRSAA Act
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II Grants through Federal CRRSAA Act (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021)
Creighton University signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF). Creighton University received $4,790,999, and $1,596,671 was used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students who needed additional assistance in meeting components of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare) or child care. Emergency assistance for these allowable expenses was provided in accordance with institutional policy and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.
Creighton University had approximately 6,500 students who were eligible to apply for this grant funding. As of February 15, 2022, Creighton University has awarded $1,596,671 to 820 eligible students who requested assistance from the CRSSAA funds. The remainder of the funds were used to defray a portion of the increased institutional costs related to providing a safe campus and effective learning environment for our students, faculty and staff.
If students experienced significant educational-related expenses as a result of COVID-19 and wanted to be considered for a CRRSAA grant, they were to complete our application for these funds which became available March 1, 2021.
This grant could be used for any component of cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare) or child care. Guidance provided by the Department of Education required students to be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, with prioritization given to students with exceptional need
To be considered for CRRSAA Act assistance, students had to complete and submit the application for assistance by 11:59 p.m. on March 15, 2021. A review committee evaluated each request on an individual basis and grant award notifications were sent no later than March 26, 2021. Submitting the form did not guarantee students would receive CRRSAA Act funding.
According to guidance from the Department of Education, the maximum award was $6,195. However, the actual award amounts varied depending upon the number of requests for funding and a committee evaluation of financial need.
Students needed to be signed up for Direct Deposit in the NEST so that Creighton University could promptly make these grants available to the recipients.
