Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

The Department of Education requires publication of the following information about the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This information must be made accessible to the public 30 days after the date that FranU received funding (May 9, 2020) and updated every 45 days thereafter.

FranU signed and returned to the Department of Education a Certification and Agreement to receive HEERF funds. No less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act will be used to provide emergency grants to students. The total amount of the funds received for emergency grants for students is $360,716. The estimated total number of students at FranU eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is 890 (this estimate is as of the time at which ED guidance stated a student was required to be Title IV eligible to receive HEERF funds which was later determined to lack the force and effect of law and therefore this number will not be updated). To determine who received emergency grant funds, FranU provided an online application to all students enrolled at the time of disruption of campus operations. The application asked students to detail expenses incurred due to disruption of campus operations and the dollar amount. The applications were reviewed by a committee to ensure the expenses fall under the stated purposes for the HEERF funds and approve the dollar amount associated with the eligible expenses. FranU may also choose to provide students HEERF funds without an application if it can be reasonably assumed by the institution that the student(s) had/will have expenses related to disruption of campus operations.

On September 10^th the application was closed and the remaining funds were equally disbursed among Title IV eligible students who met the following criteria:

• Students must have completed the 20/21 FAFSA and turned in all required verification documents
• Any student who did not meet SAP, has to have an approved appeal on file
• Students must not be enrolled in a 100% online curriculum, dual enrolled, or in a certificate program

Students were notified of their allocation by email ahead of receiving the funds via check.

In March 2021, FranU received and awarded $360,716 in CRRSAA (HEERF II) funds. FranU did not require an application. FranU awarded to both graduate and undergraduate programs. Students with the highest need were awarded first. FranU prioritized awards by need as determined by the FASFA. Second FranU disbursed funds to on-line students and to students with prior balances. Students were notified of their allowances by email ahead of receiving the funds.

In September 2021, FranU received and awarded $1,198,872 in ARP (HEERF III) funds. FranU awarded to both graduate and undergraduate programs. FranU prioritized awards by needs as determined by the FASFA. Students with the lowest Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) were given higher awards. Students were notified of their allowances by email ahead of receiving the funds.

In October 2021, FranU awarded the final ARP (HEERF III) funds totaling $35,443. The remaining funds went to the students with a balance. FranU awarded to both graduate and undergraduate programs. Students were notified of their allowances by email ahead of receiving the funds.

To date, FranU has received $1,955,747 in student aid and $2,539,522 in institutional aid.