HEERF II: CRRSAA Student Emergency Grants

SUNY Downstate received Student Aid funding under the CRRSAA section 314(a)(1) program. This program, with some changes, provides supplemental funds to the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. SUNY Downstate signed and returned to the Education Department a Certification and Agreement as required under the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. We acknowledge that by drawing down the CRRSAA funds, our institution agrees to be bound by the conditions set forth in the CRRSAA Supplemental Agreement including using 100 percent of these funds, $329,014, to provide emergency aid grants to students

HEERF II student aid funds may be used by students for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.

Eligibility

Eligibility for HEERF II grants is prioritized to degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students with an Expected Family Contribution within the range for Pell eligibility: 0-5,711

You may be eligible to receive funding if you:

• Are a matriculated full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate student
• Have completed the 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) within the range for Pell eligibility: 0 – 5,711

HEERF II emergency grants will be limited in number and amount due to funding constraints. HEERF II student aid funds will not need to be repaid. HEERF II student aid funds will not impact your current or future financial aid. Awards will vary by enrollment level (full or part-time) and EFC. Eligible students will receive an email indicating their individual award amount.

Note: unlike the CARES student emergency grant program, students meeting the above requirements who are enrolled in exclusively on-line programs are eligible for HEERF II grants.

Determination of Student Award Amounts

The following chart indicates award amounts based on an estimate of 940 eligible students enrolled in the spring 2021 semester:

Application Instructions

No application is required for receipt of HEERF II Student Aid funds. Eligible students will be notified of their grant amounts and information about delivery of funds via email from bursar@downstate.edu

Allowable Expenses

HEERF II student aid funds may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that that arise due to coronavirus, including:

• Tuition
• Food
• Housing
• Health care (including mental health care)
• Childcare

Distribution of Funds

SUNY Downstate will apply HEERF II funds directly to the student semester billing account. The entire amount will then be refunded to the student, regardless of the account balance. Funds will be issued electronically through CashNet. To ensure funds are received in the most timely manner, students should be certain they have set up their E-refund account and indicated their preferred bank account for electronic transfer of funds.