Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting

As of December 31, 2020, Penn State had distributed all funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The content shown below in items one through seven serves as the final report for the student portion of the funds.

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
   • Pennsylvania State University signed the Federal Funding Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020 and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department on May 5, 2020. The University intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act 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.
   • Pennsylvania State University has received $27,497,423 in funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The University received the Grant Award Notification on May 12, 2020, and the funds were allocated by the U.S. Department of Education on May 15, 2020.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).*
   • As of December 31, 2020, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $27,497,423 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
   • As of May 13, 2020, the estimated total number of Penn State students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 was 50,365.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.**
   • As of December 31, 2020, a total of 27,883 students aided students have been awarded an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
   • The U.S. Department of Education and the CARES Act have provided higher education institutions with discretion on how to award the emergency assistance to students. In a letter to college and university presidents, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos encouraged institutions to prioritize funding for those students with the greatest need, while also distributing grants as widely as possible for maximum impact.
   • Penn State is distributing the Emergency Financial Aid Grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University is prioritizing lower-income students utilizing data from their 2019-20 FAFSA. To make as wide of an impact as possible, students with lower family incomes, including Pell Grant-eligible students, will receive up to $1,000 each. This allotment allows Penn State to quickly provide meaningful financial relief to students with the greatest need, while also reaching a significant number of students – more than 25,000 across every physical campus location. The University also will award grants via a second round of funding that will utilize an application process to support Title IV eligible students with qualifying expenses who were not identified to receive funding during the first round.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants .
   • Announcements regarding the availability of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students were published by the University in Penn State Today on April 15, 2020, May 13, 2020, and July 28, 2020.
   • Students who received grants during the first round of funding were notified of their awards via their Penn State email account. Instructions were provided for students to follow to accept, decrease, or decline their awards. Examples of the instructions are available from the Office of Student Aid upon request.
   • Answers to frequently asked questions about the grants are compiled into a document, accessible here.

Updated as of: March 31, 2021

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2) and 18004(a)(3).

18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion funds represent 50 percent of the total 18004(a)(1) funds. The institutional portion shall be used for costs associated with significant changes to the institution’s delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Although the use of these funds is reported under University Park, they benefit the entire institution. Penn State has elected to allocate the funds to offset room and board refunds made to students when the University shifted to remote learning in the spring of 2020.

18004(a)(2) provides funds to institutions in the following categories:  Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and institutions in the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP).   Several of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses applied for and received allocations. These funds can be used for both institutional costs associated with changes in the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus, as well as student grants.

18004(a)(3) provides funds to institutions that received less than $500,000 under the other programs and includes a competitive grant program.  Penn State did not receive funds in this category.

September 30, 2020

• Abington – Final
• Fayette
• Greater Allegheny
• Hazleton
• Lehigh Valley
• Schuylkill
• Scranton
• Shenango
• University Park

December 31, 2020

• Fayette – Original
• Fayette – Revised
• Greater Allegheny – Final
• Hazleton
• Lehigh Valley
• Schuylkill – Final
• Scranton
• Shenango
• University Park – Final

March 31, 2021

• Fayette 
• Hazleton
• Lehigh Valley – Final
• Scranton
• Shenango – Final

June 30, 2021

• Fayette – Final
• Hazleton – Final
• Scranton – Final

In compliance with Section 314(e) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), Pub. L. No. 116-260 (December 27, 2020), and in accordance with additional guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), institutions applying for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) dollars are required to post the following information on their website and update it no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

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 (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
   • Pennsylvania State University signed the Federal Funding Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020 and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department on May 5, 2020. The University is in the process of using the applicable amount of funds under CRRSAA(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.  The Department issued a Supplemental Agreement CRRSAA/HEERF II.
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 CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • Pennsylvania State University has received $27,497,423 in funds under the student aid portion and $57,470,251 in funds under the institutional portion of CRRSAA (a)(1). The University received the Grant Award Notification on March 2, 2021.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
   • As of June 11, 2021, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $27,497,423 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under CRRSAA (a)(1).
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • As of March 31, 2021, the estimated total number of Penn State students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 was 50,880.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • As of June 11, 2021, a total of 25,322 aided students have been awarded an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under CRRSAA (a)(1).
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • The U.S. Department of Education and the CRRSAA have provided higher education institutions with discretion on how to award the emergency assistance to students. In a letter to college and university presidents, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos encouraged institutions to prioritize funding for those students with the greatest need, while also distributing grants as widely as possible for maximum impact.
   • Penn State distributed the Emergency Financial Aid Grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University prioritized lower-income students utilizing data from their 2020-21 FAFSA. To make as wide of an impact as possible, students who are Pell Grant-eligible were each  offered $1,200. Additional students who have documented significant financial need as determined by their 2020-21 FAFSA submission were offered $1,000. This allotment allowed Penn State to quickly provide meaningful financial relief to students with the greatest need, while also reaching a significant number of students – more than 23,000 across every campus location, and including World Campus students. The University also awarded grants via a second round of funding that utilized an application process to support eligible students with qualifying expenses who were not identified to receive funding during the first round.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   • Announcements regarding the availability of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students were published by the University in Penn State Today on April 8, 2021, May 26, 2021, and June 7, 2021.
   • Students who received grants during the first round of funding were notified of their awards via their Penn State email account. Instructions were provided for students to follow to accept, decrease, or decline their awards. Examples of the instructions are available from the Office of Student Aid upon request.
   • A link to the application for second round funding was provided in the June 7, 2021 announcement and on the Office of Student Aid website.
   • Answers to frequently asked questions about the grants are compiled into a document, accessible here.

Updated as of: June 18, 2021

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CRRSAA Sections 314(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 314(a)(2) and 314(a)(3).

314(a)(1) Institutional Portion funds represent 50 percent of the total 314(a)(1) funds. The institutional portion can be used to defray expenses associated with coronavirus, carry out student support activities that address needs related to coronavirus, and make additional financial grants to students. Although the use of these funds is reported under University Park, they benefit the entire institution.

314(a)(2) provides funds to institutions in the following categories:  Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and institutions in the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP).   Several of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses have received allocations. These funds can be used to defray expenses associated with coronavirus, carry out student support activities that address needs related to coronavirus, and make financial grants to students.

314(a)(3) provides funds to institutions that received less than $500,000 under the other programs and includes a competitive grant program.  Penn State did not receive funds in this category.

March 31, 2021

• Abington
• Fayette
• Greater Allegheny
• Hazleton
• Lehigh Valley
• Schuylkill
• Scranton
• Shenango
• University Park

June 30, 2021

• Abington – Final
• Fayette – Final
• Greater Allegheny – Final
• Hazleton – Final
• Lehigh Valley – Final
• Schuylkill – Final
• Scranton – Final
• Shenango – Final
• University Park – Final

Updated as of: June 30 2021

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

In compliance with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Pub. L. No. 117-2, (March 11, 2021), and in accordance with additional guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education (Department), institutions applying for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) dollars are required to post the following information on their website and update it no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter.

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 ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
   • Pennsylvania State University signed the Federal Funding Certification and Agreement on May 4, 2020 and returned the Certification and Agreement to the Department on May 5, 2020. The University is in the process of using the applicable amount of funds under ARP (a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The Department issued a Supplemental Agreement for ARP/HEERF III.
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 ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • Pennsylvania State University has received $76,199,300 in funds under the student aid portion of ARP (a)(1). The University received the Grant Award Notification on May 20, 2021, and the funds were allocated by the U.S. Department of Education on May 20, 2021.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).*
   • As of March 31, 2022, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $76,199,300 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (a)(1).
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4).**
   • As of March 31, 2022, the estimated total number of Penn State students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1) is 39,006. This is based on our number of students who received an ARP award as a late CRRSAA applicant from spring 2021; those who were offered and accepted a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in summer 2021 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in summer 2021, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process for summer 2021; those who were offered and accepted a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in fall 2021 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in fall 2021, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process for fall 2021; those who were offered and accepted a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in spring 2022 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in spring 2022, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process for spring 2022.
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4).***
   • As of March 31, 2022, a total of 39,006 aided students have been awarded and finalized an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under ARP (a)(1). A portion of the original population declined or cancelled their awards.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4).
   • The U.S. Department of Education and the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP Act have provided higher education institutions with discretion on how to award the emergency assistance to students. In a letter to college and university presidents, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos encouraged institutions to prioritize funding for those students with the greatest need, while also distributing grants as widely as possible for maximum impact.
   • Penn State designated $10 million for ARP relief grants to help students enrolled during the summer 2021 semester cover any component of their cost of attendance or other emergency expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State disbursed summer 2021 American Rescue Plan grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University awarded grants up to $1,000 each to more than 8,000 students University-wide who were enrolled during the summer 2021 semester. The first-round grants prioritized students with exceptional financial need, as determined by data from the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students had the option to accept the full award amount, request a lower grant amount if their personal circumstances did not require the full award, or decline it altogether. Following the first round, Penn State used all remaining ARP funds that were allocated for summer 2021 to offer an application-based second round of funding to support students in need who did not file a FAFSA or who did not qualify for a grant in the initial round. The second-round grants also were worth up to $1,000 per student. Under U.S. Department of Education guidelines, all students enrolled at any point during the summer 2021 semester were eligible to apply for a grant, regardless of citizenship status.
   • In total, 6,964 students accepted first-round summer 2021 ARP awards totaling $6,954,075, and 996^a students applied for and were awarded second-round summer ARP grants totaling $973,767^a— for a total of $7,927,842 awarded to 7,960 students. In addition to the two summer funding rounds, Penn State also awarded $156,544 in ARP funds to 160 students who were eligible, but late in applying, for CRRSAA funds.
   • Penn State also designated approximately $50 million for ARP relief grants to help students enrolled during the fall 2021 semester cover any component of their cost of attendance or other emergency expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State disbursed fall 2021 grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University awarded grants to more than 31,000 students with demonstrated exceptional financial need, as determined by data from the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grant recipients included undergraduate, graduate, law and medical students at all Penn State campuses, including Penn State World Campus students. Based on their level of need, students were offered a grant of $1,000, $1,500 or $1,800, with approximately 19,000 Pell Grant-eligible students receiving the maximum $1,800 award. Students had the option to accept the full award amount, request a lower grant amount if their personal circumstances did not require the full award, or decline it altogether. After the first round concluded, Penn State awarded all remaining ARP funds allocated for the fall semester during an application-based second round of funding to support students with exceptional financial need who did not file or were not eligible to file a FAFSA, or who did not otherwise qualify for a grant in the initial round. The second-round awards were valued at $1,000 each. Under U.S. Department of Education guidelines, all students, including non-U.S. citizens, were eligible to apply for a grant.
   • In total, 28,615 students accepted first-round fall 2021 ARP awards totaling $45,570,246, and 5,249^a students applied for and were awarded second-round fall ARP grants totaling $5,182,505 — for a total of $50,752,751 awarded to 33,864 students.
   • In final ARP spending, Penn State allotted the remaining approximately $17.4 million for ARP relief grants to help students enrolled during the spring 2022 semester cover any component of their cost of attendance or other emergency expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Penn State disbursed spring 2022 grants via two rounds of funding. In the first round, the University awarded grants to more than 17,000 students with demonstrated exceptional financial need, as determined by data from the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grant recipients included undergraduate, graduate, law and medical students at all Penn State campuses, including Penn State World Campus students. All students with an eligible Federal Pell “expected family contribution” value were offered a grant $850. Students had the option to accept the full award amount, request a lower grant amount if their personal circumstances did not require the full award, or decline it altogether. After the first round concluded, Penn State awarded all remaining ARP funds allocated for the spring semester during an application-based second round of funding to support students with exceptional financial need who did not file or were not eligible to file a FAFSA, or who did not otherwise qualify for a grant in the initial round. The second-round awards were valued at $850 each. Under U.S. Department of Education guidelines, all students, including non-U.S. citizens, were eligible to apply for a grant.
   • In total, 17,048 students accepted first-round spring 2022 ARP awards totaling $14,273,187, and 3,433 students applied for and were awarded second-round spring ARP grants totaling $2,882,787 — for a total of $17,362,163 awarded to 20,481 students.
   • While this awarding process represents a total of 65,705 student ARP awards made from the HEERF III funding, the unique, unduplicated headcount of total students receiving an ARP award is 39,006.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
   • Announcements regarding the availability of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students were published by the University in Penn State Today on August 2, 2021;August 9, 2021;October 14, 2021; November 16, 2021.; February 21, 2022 and March 16, 2022.  Students who received grants during the first round of funding were notified of their awards via their Penn State email account. Instructions were provided for students to follow to accept, decrease, or decline their awards. Examples of the instructions are available from the Office of Student Aid upon request. Answers to frequently asked questions about the grants are compiled into a document, accessible here.

August 19, 2021

• *As of August 19, 2021, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $7,345,184 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (a)(1).
• **As of August 19, 2021, the estimated total number of Penn State students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grans to students under ARP (a)(1) is 9,056. This is based on our criteria for students of being enrolled during the summer 2021 semester and identified as having exceptional financial need due to costs incurred as a result of the coronavirus.
• ***As of August 19, 2021, a total of 9,056 aided students have been awarded an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under ARP (a)(1).

September 30, 2021

• *As of September 30, 2021, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $8,085,386 in funds as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (a)(1).
• **As of September 30, 2021, the estimated total number of Penn State students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1) is 9,253. This is based on our number of students who received an ARP award as a late CRRSAA applicant from spring 2021, those who were offered a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in summer 2021 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in summer 2021, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process. The awarding process for fall 2021 applicants has not started.
• ***As of September 30, 2021, a total of 8,104  aided students have been awarded and finalized an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under ARP (a)(1). A portion of the original population declined or cancelled their awards.

December 31, 2021

• *As of December 31, 2021, Pennsylvania State University had distributed $58,852,515 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (a)(1).
• **As of December 31, 2021, the estimated total number of Penn State students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under ARP (a)(1) is 36,126. This is based on our number of students who received an ARP award as a late CRRSAA applicant from spring 2021; those who were offered and accepted a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in summer 2021 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in summer 2021, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process for summer 2021; those who were offered and accepted a batch ARP award based on being enrolled in fall 2021 and identified as having exceptional need, and those students who were enrolled in fall 2021, did not receive a batch award, and applied and were eligible to receive an ARP award through the voluntary application process for fall 2021. The awarding process for spring 2022 applicants has not started.
• ***As of December 31, 2021, a total of 36,126 aided students have been awarded and finalized an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under ARP (a)(1). A portion of the original population declined or cancelled their awards.

March 31, 2022

• ^aAs of March 31, 2022, per the regulatory escheat process, 1 summer 2021 ARP award, and 11 fall 2021 ARP awards, were cancelled due to the non-negotiation of student refund checks. These funds were used to award spring 2022 ARP applicants.

Updated as of: April 8, 2022
Final Report

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under ARP (a)(1) Institutional Portion.

ARP (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds represent 49 percent of the total ARP (a)(1) funds. The institutional portion can be used to defray expenses associated with coronavirus and make additional financial grants to students. A portion of the funds must be used to implement evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus in accordance with public health guidelines and 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.  Although the use of these funds is reported under University Park, they benefit the entire institution.

June 30, 2021

• University Park

September 30, 2021

• University Park – Original
• University Park – Revised

December 31, 2021

• University Park – Original
• University Park – Revised

March 31, 2022

• University Park – Final

Updated as of: April 8, 2022