Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

Emergency Financial Aid Grant for Students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)

On December 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law.  Section 3144(a)(1) of the CRRSAA and (a)(4) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. No. 116-260 (December 27, 2020), provided an additional $22.7 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).  The Department of Education has disbursed these funds to the Universities and as a result, Westfield State University has been allocated $7,216,874.  Of this allocation, Westfield State is required to award $2,256,030 in direct student aid to students. 

Westfield State University is committed to getting funds to students as quickly as possible.  The University has decided to award block grants to students in order to expedite the process.

As of September 30, 2021, Westfield State University has paid the full $2,256,030 to students in the form of Block Grants and Supplemental Requests under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 

Of the approximately 4,694 students who were active for the Spring 2021 at Westfield State, it was determined that 3,780 (# of block grant students) were eligible under the guidelines set by Westfield State University to receive funding through HEERF. 

As of September 30, 2021, 3,780 students have received funding under the CRRSAA.  Westfield State had communicated to students who were not eligible, and had offered to work with students who were not previously eligible to address their status.

Block Grants

Block Grants were issued in two separate allocations for this process.  The second Block Grant was paid in conjunction with the Block Grants issued under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) as a means to exhaust the funds.  Students who did not receive the second Block Grant would have received a Block Grant under the ARP.

Block Grants were awarded based on the following criteria:

Block Grant I

Under this plan, students will receive block grants based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA that was filed for the 2020-2021 academic year.  The University will also be adjusting grants based on the enrollment status of students (full-time vs. part-time; undergraduate vs. graduate).  Students will receive block grants according to the following breakdown:

Undergraduate Students

EFC

0 - 5711

5712 - 12,000

12,001 +

Full-Time

$1,000

$600

$250

Part-Time

$900

$500

$250

Graduate Students

EFC

0 - 2500

2501 - 10,000

10,001 +

 

$500

$300

$200

For the purposes of this calculation, the University has defined a full-time student as any student enrolled in 12 or more credits for the Spring 2021 semester (as of February 19, 2021).

Block Grant II

Under this plan, students will receive block grants based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA that was filed for the 2020-2021 academic year.  Students will receive block grants according to the following breakdown:

Undergraduate Students

EFC

0 - 5711

5712 - 12,000

12,001 +

Full-Time

$1,500

$1,000

$500

Part-Time

$1,200

$800

$400

Graduate Students

EFC

0 - 2500

2501 - 10,000

10,001 +

 

$800

$500

$300

For the purposes of this calculation, the University has defined a full-time student as any student enrolled in 12 or more credits for the Spring 2021 semester.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Block Grants were based on the following criteria:

Block Grant I

The University made the determination that students who met the following criteria are eligible to receive funding:

  • Filed a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
  • Are currently enrolled in a matriculated program at the University
  • Do not have any indicators on their FAFSA that would make them ineligible for financial aid

Students will be notified via email if they are eligible for the block grant.  If a student is deemed not eligible, the student will receive further communication outlining the reason.

Block Grant II

Students must have filed a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year in order to be eligible for the Block Grants, or students must submit an affidavit attesting to their financial need.

Students must be enrolled or have been enrolled at Westfield State University during the COVID-19 national emergency in order to be eligible to receive funds under the HEERF. 

Students who are enrolling at Westfield State University beginning in the Fall 2021 semester will not be eligible for the 1st round of Block Grants.

Students without a FAFSA

Students who did not submit a FAFSA were still eligible for the Block Grants based on the following criteria:

Block Grant I

Students who did not file a FAFSA had the opportunity to submit an affidavit that certifies they have financial need and certify they meet the criteria for being considered a citizen or eligible noncitizen.  Students who filed the affidavit were eligible for a block grant of $200.  The affidavit must have been submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later than March 22, 2021. 

Students were also able to file and complete their FAFSA in order to receive the Block Grant.  The FAFSA must have been to submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later than March 22, 2021.  To ensure that the Financial Aid Office received the FAFSA in a timely manner, the FAFSA should be filed no later than March 16, 2021.

Block Grant II

Students who did not file a FAFSA had the opportunity to submit an affidavit that certifies they have financial need.  Students who filed the affidavit were eligible for a block grant of $200.  The affidavit must have been submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later than August 15th, 2021. 

Students with an Outstanding Balance

Grants awarded under the CRRSAA are required to be awarded directly to students and cannot be applied directly to a student’s account without their consent.  Students will still be eligible to receive their grant, even if they owe an outstanding balance to Westfield State.

Block Grant I

For students who wished to have the grant applied to their outstanding balance, they were required to submit an affidavit to the University and give their consent to have the grant applied their outstanding balance.  The affidavit must have been submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later than March 22, 2021. 

Block Grant II

For students who wished to have the grant applied to their outstanding balance, they were required to submit an affidavit to the University and give their consent to have the grant applied their outstanding balance.  The affidavit must have been submitted to the Financial Aid Office no later than August 16, 2021. 

Questions

Block Grant I

Block Grant II

If you have questions regarding the grants, please email financialaid@westfield.ma.edu

Reports