CARES Act & Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

On March 27, Congress approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security CARES Act. The CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is federal legislation which provides funding to support those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds provide emergency grants directly to students.

Final Report – December 31, 2020
 
(1) Blackburn University dba Blackburn College has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurances that the institution will use the applicable amount of funds designated under the CARES (HEERF II) (a)(1) and (a)(4) program to provide Emergency Financial Assistance Grants to Students.

(2) The total amount of CARES Act (HEERF I) funds that Blackburn College has received or will receive from the Department of Education for emergency grants to students is $456,532.

(3) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CARES Act (HEERF I) (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of December 31, 2020 is $456,532 (100%).

(4) The total number of students eligible under Title IV making them eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act (HEERF I) was approximately 432.

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students under the CARES Act (HEERF I) programs was 432.

(6) The college distributed these funds based on each student’s estimated family contribution and other specific student needs.

(7) Students were notified about this grant funding via an email from Dr. John McClusky, the college’s interim president, on April 27, 2020, which included:

The Federal CARES Act provided Blackburn $456,532 to distribute to eligible students for the “direct payment of grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.” The Department of Education encourages colleges to prioritize students with the greatest need; all students receiving aid must be eligible to submit a FAFSA.

Blackburn allocated this money based on each student’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) determined from their 2019-2020 FAFSA. Students with a zero EFC received the maximum allocation of funds. tag

In addition, the Federal CARES Act provided Blackburn a combined total of $501,057 for the purpose of Institutional Aid. The links below provide detailed reporting on use of those funds.