CRRSSA Required Website Posting Information – Update #1
University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Student Aid
Report #1
Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education
Award Number: P425E203082
Award Amount: $3,948,625
Report Period: January 14, 2021 — March 31, 2021
Report Date: June 28, 2021
Source and Purpose of Funds
The University of Maine (“UMaine”) and the University of Maine at Machias (“UMM”) received the above award from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) passed by Congress on January 14, 2021 to provide emergency financial aid grants to eligible.
On April 22, 2020, UMaine submitted the required Certification and Agreement (please link signed C&A) to the U.S. Department of Education (U.S. DOE) committing to use these funds to provide emergency aid directly to our eligible students.
Eligibility Requirements
Consistent with the guidance from the U.S. DOE, eligible students include all students who were enrolled at UMaine on March 24, 2021 with the following exceptions:
- Non-degree students
- Students with no enrollment for Spring 2021 (incluing Spring 2021 Semester withdrawals) at the time of the first disbursement of funds
- Employees receiving UMS Employee Tuition benefits
- Early College students
- International/DACA Students
Distribution Plan
UMaine and UMM will automatically distribute approximately 96 percent of these funds to all eligible students. Award amounts will be tiered as follows based on: the number of credit hours in which the student is enrolled as of March 24, 2021, academic career, and in accordance with DOE guidelines, financial need.
Undergraduate Base Amounts
.1 – 5.99 Credit Hours: $125
6 – 11.99 Credit Hours: $225
12+ Credit Hours: $325
Graduate Base Amounts
.1 – 2.99 Credit Hours: $200
3 – 5.99 Credit Hours: $225
6+ Credit Hours: $325
Additional Amounts
High Need (EFC <= 5211): +$200
Medium (Between EFC > 5711 and EFC <= COA): +$100
Low (No FAFSA, or EFC > COA): +$0
The remaining 4 percent (approximately) of the CRRSAA student aid will be made available by application to eligible students who self-identify with additional need as a result of being impacted by COVID-19. The application will be made available to eligible students after all block grants have been distributed.
Remaining Funds from CARES Act Funding
UMaine carried forward the remaining unspent portion of the initial CARES Act funding ($210,650) to the total allocation of HEERF II funding for the second round of direct payments to students. UMM carried forward the remaining unspent portion of the initial CARES Act/SIP ($12,747) funding to the total allocation of HEERF II funding for the second round of direct payments to students.
Disbursements To-Date
| Distribution Type
|
Number of Eligible Students | Number of Students To Whom Aid Has Been Distributed | Total Amount of Aid That Has Been Distributed | Amount of Funds Remaining for Disbursement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orono Automatic | 9,720 | 5,718 | $2,337,325 | $1,269,512 |
| Orono Application | 0 | 0 | $0 | $195,010 |
| Machias Automatic | 328 | 171 | $76,975 | $61,525 |
| Machias Application | 0 | 0 | 0 | $8,278 |
| Total | $2,414,300 | $1,534,325 | ||
** Student counts reflect the utilization of both the HEERF II funds and the original CARES SIP award.
Communications to Students
Below are all communications from the University of Maine System or UMaine to students concerning the emergency financial aid grants provided through the CRRSAA.
UMS Community Guidance for Students
UMaine/UMM HEERF II Communication to Eligible Students (Message Center Communication)