About the CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the U.S. Department of Education

In March of 2020, Congress set aside approximately $14.25 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136, for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) program. The U.S. Department of Education awarded these grants to institutions of higher education (IHE) based on a formula stipulated in the legislation.

CARES act funding passed by Congress in March 2020 included student and institutional support; Brown applied for and was awarded student funding. At that time Brown did not apply for institutional support. The Department of Education awarded these funds under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) program.

Additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (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. In total, the CRRSAA authorized $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the CARES Act.

CRRSAA provided supplemental aid for students and institutions. Brown received funds in both categories under CRRSAA. The Department of Education awarded CRRSAA funds under the HEERF program as HEERF II. Brown automatically received the student aid funding as a supplement to CARES Act funding/HEERF I, and applied for the institutional portion of these funds.   As of March 31, 2021, Brown received $2,421,116 in funding under the CARES Act, and $7,008,633 in funding under CRRSAA.  Of the total funds awarded to Brown under these programs, $4,842,232 must be used for student support.

Congress passed a third relief act, Public Law 117-2, on March 11, 2021 called the American Rescue Plan (ARP). These funds have been awarded through the Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III).  Brown is automatically eligible for these funds and did not need to apply.  Like CRRSAA, ARP provided supplemental aid for students and institutions, and Brown received funding in both categories. Under the ARP, $12,594,444 in funding was awarded to Brown, of which 50% must be used for student aid and the remaining 50% may be used to support the institution to offset the financial impacts of the pandemic.  The institutional funds included a new requirement that some funds must be used to (a) implement evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus in accordance with public health guidelines; and (b) conduct direct outreach to financial aid applicants about the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances, described in section 479A of the HEA.

Brown’s Disbursement Decisions for Federal Relief Funds

Based on its allocation of federal relief funding, Brown announced in February 2021 its plans to disburse $5.4 million in student support to eligible undergraduate, graduate and medical students in March (mostly from federal relief funding and partly from Brown funds). Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a change in campus operations in March 2020, the University has made it a priority to support our students and families contending with the unexpected financial consequences of the global health emergency.

Brown is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of their financial circumstances, have the resources and support they need to access the wide range of educational opportunities we offer at Brown. Brown remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting students with the greatest need.

Brown applied for and was awarded $2.4 million in student support funding in April 2020, and CRRSAA provided a notice of an additional $2.4 million of student support in December 2020. The University was cautious in finalizing its approach to disbursing the awarded funds due to provisions in the laws specifically related to the employment of University personnel. While the University’s commitment to avoiding layoffs to the best extent practicable has been in place since the pandemic’s earliest days, the duration of the pandemic and its potential implications of COVID-19 on Brown finances were impossible to predict with absolute certainty.

Every higher education institution accepting the federal funds established timelines for distribution aligned with their distinct circumstances. As Brown neared the last quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 with clearer budget projections and with the expectation that the institution could avoid layoffs for the foreseeable future, the University was able to move forward confidently in disbursing the aid funds.

It’s important to note that, given the need to proceed cautiously regarding the federal funding, and recognizing the needs of our students, the University had provided approximately $7.3 million in COVID-related direct support to students — as of February 2021 — from its own budget from the onset of the pandemic. This support came in the form of summer earning waivers, student payroll funds for student employment that could not be completed remotely, travel grants, emergency E-Gap requests, and additional financial aid dollars for families with greater need.

Brown also provided nearly $10 million in indirect support for students studying in Providence by committing to single-occupancy rooms and providing PPE to ensure the safety of our student community in Rhode Island, and has already provided $9.5 million dollars of financial aid to support the housing and meals of students studying remotely outside of the Providence area — an investment in remote support that Brown chose to make, distinct from some peers.

From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has remained focused on easing the challenges arising from this global crisis for all members of our community.

During the week of March 8, 2021, Brown began the process of distributing $5.4 million in funding to eligible undergraduate, graduate and medical students. Of that total, $4.8 million comes from the federal government as part of two COVID-19 economic relief programs, namely, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). International students and students on leave at the time that we began distributing the funds were ineligible to receive these federal funds under government rules. Therefore, Brown supplemented the $4.8 million in federal money with an additional $550,000 in University funding to ensure that all students enrolled in 2020-21 meeting eligibility requirements of demonstrated financial need were treated equitably.

100% of the total $5.4 million was distributed to approximately 3,500 students at Brown by the end of July, 2021. Federal relief programs require that students receiving these funds use them to cover specific components of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare. The funds were distributed to all undergraduate and medical students receiving Brown need-based scholarships as well as master’s degree students who receive federal loans.

To determine the most equitable model for distributing the total funding to eligible students, we convened a group of students, faculty and staff to develop and consider several options, all within the parameters established by the federal relief programs. We knew it was essential to include students in this process, and the consensus of the group was to base distributions on student financial aid profiles, including parent contribution levels for undergraduate students. This decision aligns with Brown’s overall approach to financial aid in which the University provides the most financial assistance to those with the greatest financial need.

Awards for undergraduates ranged from a maximum of $3,000 for students with a $0 parent contribution (those with the greatest demonstrated need) to a minimum award of $500 — with all award determinations based exclusively on eligible financial need. Awards of $1,000 were granted to eligible medical school and master’s degree students who completed a FAFSA and receive Brown need-based scholarship, a federal loan or both in the current academic year.

Eligible students received a communication directly from Student Financial Services prior to March 8 with further details. A resource answering frequently asked questions was developed to ensure that the path to accessing the funds was clear. Funds were posted directly to student accounts the week of March 8, processing them as electronic refunds to make it easy for students to access them. Students can spend the funds in the ways most helpful to them, as long as they are used toward eligible expenses.

Brown was awarded $6.2M in funds under the American Recovery Plan (ARP) on June 10, 2021, and began disbursing funds to eligible students on July 28, 2021.

To maintain consistency, the model Brown used for the distribution of funds to eligible students in March of 2021 was used again to determine ARP funds distribution. The University again convened students, faculty and staff to review the proposed distribution of ARP funds.

Awards for most undergraduates ranged from a maximum of $3000 to a minimum award of $750 based on the calculated Federal Methodology Estimated Family Contribution.  Students in Brown’s Resumed Undergraduate Education (RUE) Program and student-veterans received disbursements of $3,000 each, and eligible graduate and medical students received disbursements of $2,000 each.

As of March 31, 2022, 100% of ARP funds have been disbursed to students. 

Required Reporting on Brown’s Distribution of Funds: Student Portion

This section includes all required quarterly reports on Brown University spending of funds awarded under 84.425E of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds.

Past Reporting Data

Reporting prior to March 31, 2021 was posted online and is available in the attached PDF:

• CARES Act Funding at Brown University (January 2021)

Reporting published between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 was posted online and is available in the attached PDF:

• CARES Act, CRRSAA Act, and ARP Funding at Brown University

Current Reporting

This section includes questions and answers required to be posted online by the terms and conditions of the HEERF funding accepted by Brown University.

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Brown University has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department and has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, Brown University has received $8,718,338 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 

For the period ending December 31, 2021, Brown University has received $8,718,338 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 

For the period ending March 31, 2022, Brown University has received $8,718,338 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of September 30, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is $8,546,088.

For the period ending December 31, 2021, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is $8,691,338.

For the period ending March 31, 2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is $8,718,338.​

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs was 3,592.

As of December 31, 2021, the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs was 3,600.

As of January 10, 2022, the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs was 3,661.

As of March 31, 2022, the estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs was 3,685.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 

As of 9/30/2021, Brown University disbursed funds to:

• 2,978 undergraduate students
• 616 graduate and medical students
• 97 undergraduate students and 11 graduate and medical students had not completed the process to receive funds

As of 12/31/2021, Brown University disbursed CRRSAA funds to:

• 2714 undergraduate students
•  482 graduate and medical students

As of 12/31/2021, Brown University disbursed ARP funds to:

• 3060 undergraduate students
• 623 graduate and medical students
• 15 undergraduate students and 5 graduate and medical students had not completed the process to receive funds

As of 12/31/2021, Brown University disbursed CRRSAA and ARP funds to:

•  3736 individual undergraduate students
• 872 individual graduate and medical students

As of 3/31/2022, Brown University disbursed CRRSAA and ARP funds to:

•  3751 individual undergraduate students
• 872 individual graduate and medical students

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

For CRRSAA, eligible students included those who:

• were enrolled at least ½ time in the spring 2021 term.
• completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 20-21 academic year and Brown received an ISIR.
• had a calculated Federal Methodology Estimated Family Contribution (FMEFC) that was less than the total cost of attendance.
• as undergraduate or medical students received Brown need-based scholarship.
• as graduate students received a federal student loan in the academic year 2020-21.

For CRRSAA, amounts received:

• For undergraduates the amounts received were based on the calculated parent contribution and their demonstrated need.  Amounts of $3,000 were provided with students with the highest demonstrated needs and amounts varied based on need with a minimum of $750 for students with the lowest demonstrated need.
• Brown’s Resumed Undergraduate Education Program and student-veterans received disbursements of $1,500 each.
• Eligible graduate and medical students received disbursements of $1,500.

For ARP, eligible students included those who:

• were active students at the time of disbursements.
• completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 21-22 academic year and Brown received an ISIR.
• had a calculated Federal Methodology Estimated Family Contribution (FMEFC) that was less than the total cost of attendance.
• as undergraduate or medical students received Brown need-based scholarship.

For ARP, amounts received:

• For undergraduates the amounts received were based on the calculated parent contribution and their demonstrated need.  Amounts of $3,000 were provided with students with the highest demonstrated need and amounts varied based on need with a minimum of $750 for students with the lowest demonstrated need.
• Brown’s Resumed Undergraduate Education Program and student-veterans received disbursements of $3,000 each.
• Eligible graduate and medical students received disbursements of $2,000.

7.  Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

The following instructions, directions, or guidance was provided by Brown University to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants:

• Provost Letter to the Brown Community
• Email of Eligibility for CARES/CRRSAA Recipients
• CARES ACT FAQs on Bursar Website
• Direct Outreach Email to Financial Aid Applicants

Required Reporting on Brown’s Use of Funds: Institution Portion

This section includes all required quarterly reports on Brown University spending of funds awarded under 84.425F of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds.

• Quarter Ending March 31, 2021
• Quarter Ending June 30, 2021
• Quarter Ending September 30, 2021
• Quarter Ending December 31, 2021