Spring 2021

Funding for Institutional Aid

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.  It follows the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020.

As of June 30, 2021, Colgate University has expended $1,543,475 in emergency aid under the CRRSA Act Section (a)(1) Institutional Portion.

Quarterly report ending June 30, 2021

Funding for Student Aid

Colgate University received funding in the amount of $818,001 for the HEERF II Student Aid Portion.  The amount awarded was based on funding amounts from the initial HEERF CARES Act.

The funds are to be used by Colgate to issue direct grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by Covid-19. Pursuant to the CRRSAA, the grants are to be used by students for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health care), and child care.

The CRRSAA requires institutions to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need. Non-U.S. citizens are prohibited from receiving federal benefits, making DACA, undocumented, and international students ineligible.

During the week of April 11, 2021, Colgate University will have distributed $818,001 in emergency financial aid grants under Section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA to 928 students.

If you received an email from JS Hope, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Investment Officer, the week of April 11, then Colgate determined that you meet the requirements of the CRRSAA, along with our internal guidelines, and you received a HEERF II grant.

If you have any questions about your eligibility for the HEERF II grant please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@colgate.edu.

If you have any questions about receiving your HEERF II funding eligibility, contact the Office of Student Accounts at stuaccounts@colgate.edu or 315-228-7421.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Non-U.S. citizens are prohibited from receiving federal benefits, making DACA, undocumented, and international students ineligible.

No. However, institutions are required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need.

 HEERF II grant amounts will vary but the maximum award will be no more than $1,134.

Colgate University prioritized awarding of emergency grants to students with the greatest financial need, as demonstrated by their EFC.

No application is necessary to receive these funds.

Colgate will distribute $818,001 to eligible students the week of April 11, 2021.  If Colgate had your banking information on file (either as a TouchNet e-refund account or Payroll direct deposit), it distributed the funds to you electronically. Otherwise, a check was mailed to your home address on file.

No. 100% of your grant was refunded to you.  If you wish to use it to pay any remaining student account balance you may make a regular payment.

No, this funding does not impact your financial aid eligibility.

No. This is a grant and not a loan.

Based on current guidance from the Department of Education, Colgate does not anticipate requesting or requiring documentation on your use of the grant funds. However, as noted above, the funds are to be used for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health care), and child care. 

The IRS has indicated that this grant is not taxable. For further information, see the IRS website.