Financial Aid and Scholarships

CRRSAA: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)

Page updated 3/25/2021

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on December 27, 2020. This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education (Department) approximately $22.7 billion to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF II. The CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding under section 314(a)(1) provide the “same amount” in financial aid grants to students from the new CRRSAA funds that it was required or which it would have been required to provide under its original CARES Act Student Aid Portion award. 

What is the HEERF II (CRRSAA) Emergency Grant?

Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the 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 child care. Unlike the CARES Act, the HEERF II (CRRSAA) requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants.

Cal Poly Pomona will distribute at the minimum $15,452,045 in emergency grants for eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional Institutional funding will be added to the student emergency grant fund if needed to ensure all eligible students are able to receive emergency funds. These are one-time grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment. The HEERF II (CRRSAA) emergency grant provides temporary, short-term, emergency financial assistance to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could adversely affect their educational success. The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship. 

Cal Poly Pomona distribute grants based on the three shared CSU principles:

  • Student Success
  • Equity
  • Timeliness and Administrative Simplicity

Priority will be given to students with exceptional need, determined by the 2020-2021 official Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

When will CRRSAA/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II be available?

Cal Poly Pomona received our allocation of HEERF II funds from the U.S. Department of Education on March 15, 2021.  We will begin distributing grants to eligible as quickly as possible, and anticipate students who have signed up for Direct Deposit will begin receiving their funds by early April.  Recipients will be notified via email to their CPP account.

Students in Groups 1, 2, and 3 will have their grants released to their student account in early April.  Students in Group 4 will receive their grant within one week of completing the HEERF II Grant Application.  Once the grant has posted to a student’s account, the funds will be issued as a refund directly to the student. 

  • Students who are currently signed up for direct deposit will receive their funds in their bank account within three business days from when the funds are released.
  • Students who have not signed up for direct deposit will receive their funds as a paper check – sent through U.S. Mail. Allow at least 10 business days for receipt of checks. For students who may not have a bank account, Wells Fargo will cash the check for you at no charge.

We encourage all students to sign up for direct deposit. The direct deposit process is the most convenient, secure, and fastest way to receive your funds.  It is easy to sign up – just log in to Bronco Direct and follow these step-by-step instructions.

Who is eligible for the CRRSAA /Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II? 

All currently enrolled Cal Poly Pomona undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and teaching credential students who have filed a FAFSA and meet the citizenship criteria to receive federal student aid, may be considered for emergency grants funded through HEERF II (CRRSAA). Even if a student has a current financial hold or owes the campus fees or fines, they are still eligible to receive a grant – and the funds will go directly to them.  Any debts or fees owed to the university will not be deducted from the emergency grant.

At this time, the U.S. Department of Education reiterates its stance that DACA, undocumented and international students are not eligible for the HEERF II (CRRSAA) Federal emergency grant aid. Cal Poly Pomona is exploring other sources of institutional funding that will support these students. 

As with the CARES Act funds, Cal Poly Pomona employees who receive educational waivers are not eligible for the HEERF II (CRRSAA) Emergency Grants.

Minimum eligibility criteria for students: 

  • Filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2020-21
  • Are currently enrolled for Spring 2021 (either part-time or full-time) as an undergraduate, graduate, doctorate or teaching credential student.
  • Are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizen
  • Experiencing unexpected financial hardship from COVID-19

Students who have filed a 2020 – 2021 FAFSA and who have the greatest financial need can be considered for these funds. The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will use the FAFSA data to determine students’ eligibility. If you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen (i.e., permanent resident) but have not yet filed a FAFSA for  2020-21, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

The HEERF II grant funds are intended to provide emergency financial support to students and may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

Cal Poly Pomona received our allocation of HEERF II funds from the U.S. Department of Education on March 15, 2021.  We will begin distributing grants to eligible as quickly as possible, and anticipate students who have signed up for Direct Deposit will begin receiving their funds by early April.  Recipients will be notified via email to their CPP account.

Students in Groups 1, 2, and 3 will have their grants released to their student account in early April.  Students in Group 4 will receive their grant within one week of completing the HEERF II Grant Application.  Once the grant has posted to a student’s account, the funds will be issued as a refund directly to the student. 

  • Students who are currently signed up for direct deposit will receive their funds in their bank account within three business days from when the funds are released.
  • Students who have not signed up for direct deposit will receive their funds as a paper check – sent through U.S. Mail. Allow at least 10 business days for receipt of checks. For students who may not have a bank account, Wells Fargo will cash the check for you at no charge.

We encourage all students to sign up for direct deposit. The direct deposit process is the most convenient, secure, and fastest way to receive your funds.  It is easy to sign up – just log in to Bronco Direct and follow these step-by-step instructions.

Screenshot of group chart with monetary information. Refer to text below image for details.

Group 1: To prioritize rapid support of students with the most exceptional need-based, Cal Poly Pomona will automatically award the initial emergency grants to students who meet the eligibility criteria in Group 1. Students in Group 1 have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0, as calculated through the 2020-21 FAFSA process. Students in Group 1 will automatically receive the highest initial grant awards and do not need to request the grant funding. Grants will be pro-rated based on full-time vs. part-time status. Group 1 full-time students will receive $1,200, and part-time students will receive $800.

Group 2: To prioritize rapid support of students with the most exceptional need-based, Cal Poly Pomona will automatically award the initial emergency grants to students who meet the eligibility criteria in Groups 2. Students in Group 2 have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $1-$5,711, as calculated through the 2020-21 FAFSA process. Students in Group 2 will automatically receive the second-highest initial grant awards and do not need to request the grant funding. Grants will be pro-rated based on full-time vs. part-time status. Group 2 full-time students will receive $1,000, and part-time students will receive $650.

Group 3: To prioritize rapid support of students with high need-based, Cal Poly Pomona will automatically award the initial emergency grants to students who meet the eligibility criteria in Groups 3. Students in Group 3 have an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $5,712-$12,774, as calculated through the 2020-21 FAFSA process. Students in Group 3 will automatically receive the third-highest initial grant awards and do not need to request the grant funding. Grants will be pro-rated based on full-time vs. part-time status. Group 3 full-time students will receive $750, and part-time students will receive $400.

Group 4: Eligible students with an official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) greater than $12,774, who are experiencing unexpected financial hardship resulting from COVID-19 may submit a HEERF II Grant Application to claim emergency grant funds.  The HEERF II Emergency Grant Application will be available on the BroncoDirect the week of April 5, 2021. The HEERF II Emergency Grant Application must be completed by June 15, 2021. Grants will be pro-rated based on full-time vs. part-time status. Group 4 full-time students will receive $500, and part-time students will receive $300 if an application is submitted.

Group 5: Eligible students that have not filed or have an incomplete 2020-21 FAFSA must complete the 2020-21 FAFSA to determine eligibility for a HEERF II emergency grant. Once Federal Student Aid processes the FAFSA, the information is sent to Cal Poly Pomona within 10 days. The amount of the HEERF II Emergency Grant will be based on Group assignment (1-4) determined by the official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). 

Resources are available to assist with completing the FAFSA. View the FAFSA Tutorial or attend our FAFSA Workshop on April 12, 2021, at 12 PM. To reserve your spot in the FAFSA Workshop, please register below: 
https://cpp.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0u3QXHxfRiedJ-0C9bV-yw

To determine your eligibility to receive a HEERF II Emergency Grant, you must file the 2020-21 FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Once your FAFSA is processed by Federal Student Aid, your information is sent to Cal Poly Pomona within 10 days. The amount of the HEERF II Emergency Grant will be based on Group assignment determined by official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). 

Group 1: Your EFC is $0
Group 2: Your EFC is $1-$5,711
Group 3: Your EFC is $5,712-$12,774
Group 4: Your EFC is above $12,774
Group 5: You have not yet filed a 2020-21 FAFSA (EFC undetermined)

If you submitted a FAFSA for the 2021 aid year you can find your EFC in your Student Center in BroncoDirect. From Student Center, click the "View Financial Aid" link under the Finances section in Student Center.

Account Snapshot in Bronco Direct

Click on the 2021 aid year link

 Screenshot of Select Aid Year to View in Bronco Direct.

Click on the Financial Aid Summary link. 

screenshot of Financial Aid Summary Button in Bronco Direct.

Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is display.

screenshot of Financial Aid Summary listing in Bronco Direct.

You can also view the how-to EFC video.

The Prorated EFC is used when a student is attending less than the full nine months (i.e., spring only student). CPP used Primary EFC for all students when determining amounts for the HEERF II Emergency Grants.

The EFC number is a way to gauge a student’s financial need. Your nine-month (academic year) EFC is calculated by the U.S. Department of Education when you submit your FAFSA and is what determines your eligibility for all federal and state grant assistance. Even if you attend school for fewer than nine months, your eligibility for grants is still required to be based off your nine-month EFC.

If you have an EFC of $12,774 or less, you will not need to complete an application.

If your EFC is more than $12,774, you can complete the HEERF II Emergency Grant Application. The application will be available in your BroncoDirect Student Center beginning in early April through June 15, 2021.    

If you have not yet filed a 2020-21 FAFSA, go to studentaid.gov to complete one. You must complete the 2020-21 FAFSA by June 1, 2021. Once completed and received by CPP, which takes 7 to 10 days, you can complete the HEERF II Emergency Grant Application. The application will be available in your BroncoDirect Student Center starting in early April.  

Students in Group 4 will need to complete the HEERF II Emergency Grant Application to claim grants awarded. 


MyCPP Popup

1. Login to MyCPP
2. If you will be prompted with the HEERF II Emergency Grant Application details. Follow the directions and click the embedded link to be taken directly to the form.


BroncoDirect Menu Navigation

1. From MyCPP click on BroncoDirect

screenshot of Bronco Direct logo from MyCPP

2. Expand the Financial section
3.
Click on HEERF II Emergency Grant to open the application form.

Screenshot of Financial section in Bronco Direct

4. Follow the form directions to submit.

Screenshot of Form Direction in Bronco Direct.


To-Do Item

1. From MyCPP click on BroncoDirect

screenshot of Bronco Direct logo from MyCPP

2. Click on Student Center

Screenshot of Student Center Dropdown Menu

3. Click on the HEERF II Emergency Grant Application link under the "To Do List" area.

 

Screenshot of To Do List dropdown menu in Bronco Direct

4. Click the URL at the bottom to open the form.

The deadline to submit a HEERF II Emergency Grant Application is June 15, 2021.

Yes. The HEERF II Emergency Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The Basic Needs Emergency Grant is funded by Cal Poly Pomona.

Yes, graduating students who are enrolled in Spring 2021 and meet eligibility criteria can receive emergency grant funds.

Based on direction from the U.S. Department of Education, the HEERF II Emergency Grant may not be given to international students. However, if you are in need of emergency funds, please apply for a Bronco Basic Needs Emergency Grant. In addition, Cal Poly Pomona is exploring other sources of institutional funding that will support international students. 

Based on direction from the U.S. Department of Education, the HEERF II Emergency Grant may not be given to undocumented students (including those under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals). However, if you are in need of emergency funds, please apply for a Bronco Basic Needs Emergency Grant. In addition, Cal Poly Pomona is exploring other sources of institutional funding that will support undocumented students. 

No. Your grant is not subject to taxation based on Cal Poly Pomona’s distribution model. 

Emergency financial aid grants are 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.

As long as you are still enrolled in at least 1 unit for Spring 2021 in a degree seeking program, you will be eligible for an emergency grant. If you received an emergency grant and later withdrawal from CPP, you are not required to pay it back.

Yes.

Employees who are taking classes at Cal Poly Pomona and utilizing the Employee Fee Waiver Program are not eligible to receive HEERF II (CRRSAA) funding. This was a campus decision to provide financial relief to students who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as layoffs or reduced hours in their jobs. Cal Poly Pomona employees who are seeking assistance should visit EODA’s COVID Support Services page.

You may contact Cal Poly Pomona’s HEERF II (CRRSAA) hotline at 909-869-3800 or covidgrants@cpp.edu.