Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

CARES Act Emergency Grant Funds for Students

Information about Wichita State University’s usage of funding under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”).

• • An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned the certification and agreement form and that the institution has used, or intends to use the funds to provide the mandated amount of at least 50% of the emergency financial aid grants to students.
    • Wichita State University submitted a certification agreement form to the U.S. Department of Education to agree to use the funds under the “CARES Act” as directed. At least 50% of these funds are being used to directly assist students impacted by the campus disruption as a result of the COVID-n19 pandemic.
  • The total amount of funds that the institution will receive, or has received under the HEERF student portion.
    • HEERF I: $4,393,233
    • HEERF II: $4,393,233
    • HEERF III: $13,267,928
  • Of those funds, the total amount that has been distributed to students as of the date of reporting (i.e. the first 30-day deadline, and then every 45 days thereafter)
  • Unduplicated headcounts are based on the type of award given.

• 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 therefore eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant.
  • HEERF I: 7,344
  • HEERF II: 8,208
  • HEERF III: 8,425
• The total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant.
  • HEERF I: 4,634
  • HEERF II: 3,376
  • HEERF III: 7,514
• How the institution determined which students did, or will receive emergency financial aid grants and how much funding they did, or will receive.
  • HEERF I (Spring 2020):
    • The initial distribution of CARES Act funding was disbursed to Pell grant recipients who had unmet need and had not received other gift aid for Cost of Attendance such as books, meals, and other living expenses in the amount of $1,000 to each student.  Students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.  
    • Remaining CARES Act Emergency funds were set aside for eligible students to access through an application process. Students in this group must have filed a 2019-2020 FAFSA or be eligible to file a FAFSA and must have identified what hardships they have experienced related to COVID-n19.  Students in this category were notified of their possible eligibility via their WSU email account and/or through the Shocker Blast email newsletter.  They were directed to complete the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund Application available on our website, with a priority date for applications of May 8, 2020 and a deadline of May 15, 2020.  Factors such as job loss, childcare or medical expenses, housing or food insecurity, an inability to pay for educational supplies, technology, or expenses were considered.  Students in this category were eligible to receive up to $1,000 ($500 to $1000). 
  • HEERF II (Fall 2020 & Spring 2021):
    • The distribution of HEERF II funding was disbursed to Pell grant recipients who had exceptional unmet need and had not received other gift aid for Cost of Attendance such as books, meals, and other living expenses in the amount of $1,400 to each student.  Students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.  
    • Remaining HEERF II funds were disbursed to eligible students with exceptional financial need.  Students in this group must have filed a 2020-2021 FAFSA and have exceptional financial need, as documented by the results of their FAFSA.  Awards were $1,000 to each student, and students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.
    • Additional students were awarded through Strengthening Institution Program (SIP) funds and HEERF Institutional funds in amounts ranging from $500 to $2,000.
  • HEERF III (Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022):
    • Summer 2021:
      • The distribution of HEERF III funding was disbursed to Pell grant recipients who had exceptional unmet need and had not received other gift aid for Cost of Attendance such as books, meals, and other living expenses in the amount of $500 to each student.  Students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.  
      • Additional HEERF III funds for the Summer term were disbursed to eligible students with exceptional financial need.  Students in this group must have filed a 2020-2021 FAFSA and have exceptional financial need, as documented by the results of their FAFSA.  Awards were $500 to each student, and students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.
    • Fall 2021:
      • The distribution of HEERF III funding was disbursed to Pell grant recipients who had exceptional unmet need and had not received other gift aid for Cost of Attendance such as books, meals, and other living expenses in the amount of $2,000 to each student.  Students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.  
      • Additional HEERF III funds for the Fall semester were disbursed to eligible students with exceptional financial need.  Students in this group must have filed a 2021-2022 FAFSA and have exceptional financial need, as documented by the results of their FAFSA.  Direct awards ranged from $1,000 to $2,000 to each student, and students in this group did not need to request or apply for these funds.
      • Remaining HEERF III funds were set aside for eligible students to access through an application process. Students in this group must have identified what hardships they have experienced related to COVID-n19.  Students were directed to complete the COVID-19 Student Emergency Fund Application available on our website, with a deadline for applications of October 1, 2021.  Factors such as job loss, childcare or medical expenses, housing or food insecurity, an inability to pay for educational supplies, technology, or expenses were considered.  Students in this category were eligible to receive up to $6,000 ($500 to $6,000). 
      • Additional students were awarded through Strengthening Institution Program (SIP) funds and HEERF Institutional funds in amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000.
    • Spring 2022:
      • Additional students were awarded through Strengthening Institution Program (SIP) funds and HEERF Institutional funds in amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000.  Eligible students were able to access the funds through an application process.  Students in this group must have identified what hardships they have experienced related to COVID-n19.  Factors such as job loss, childcare or medical expenses, housing or food insecurity, an inability to pay for educational supplies, technology, or expenses were considered.  Students in this category were eligible to receive up to $6,000 ($500 to $6,000). 
    • Fall 2022:
      • Additional students were awarded through recouped, uncashed HEERF Institutional funds in amounts ranging from $500 to $6,000.  Eligible students were able to access the funds through an application process.  Students in this group must have identified what hardships they have experienced related to COVID-n19.  Factors such as job loss, childcare or medical expenses, housing or food insecurity, an inability to pay for educational supplies, technology, or expenses were considered.  Students in this category were eligible to receive up to $6,000 ($500 to $6,000). 
• Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the emergency financial aid grants.
  • Students were instructed that the funds must be used to cover expenses they incurred as a result of the campus disruption caused by COVID-n19.
  • Students were directed the CARES Act FAQs webpage for additional information.