Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act & Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Higher Education Institutional Portion Funding

The funding was made possible through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Stanislaus State was awarded $41,228,349 in funding under the Institutional portion pursuant to signing the required Certification and Agreement with the US Department of Education. The funding period for this award became effective May 4, 2020, and continues through June 30, 2023. To date, Stan State has drawn down $41,228,349 of the federal funds to reimburse the campus for student refunds related to housing and parking, technology hardware and software, support for student food services, campus safety and operations, lost revenues, and training to facilitate online instruction. The campus continues to accumulate and review costs incurred due to COVID to determine which amounts to reimburse with the remaining funding from the HEERF Institutional portion.

Pursuant to H.R. 748 (CARES Act), section 18004(a)(1), CSU campuses may use monies to cover costs incurred associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Costs must be incurred on or after March 13, 2020 to be eligible. Examples of allowable uses permitted under the broad institutional authority granted by the CARES Act include reimbursement for expenses already incurred, and technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, payroll costs, and emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses.

Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Funding

The funding was made possible through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Stanislaus State was awarded $4,763,342 in funding under the MSI portion pursuant to signing the required Certification and Agreement with the US Department of Education. The funding period for this award became effective June 4, 2020 and continues through August 2, 2022. To date, Stan State has drawn down $4,763,342 of the HEERF MSI federal funds to reimburse the campus for lost State appropriation revenue.

Pursuant to H.R. 748 (CARES Act), section 18004(a)(2), CSU campuses may use monies to cover costs incurred associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Costs must be incurred on or after March 13, 2020 to be eligible. Examples of allowable uses permitted under the broad institutional authority granted by the CARES Act include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, and technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, payroll costs, and emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses.

Section 18006 of the CARES Act provides further guidance regarding the use of, these funds, stating that an institution receiving these funds must document to ED that it has continued to pay all of its employees and contractors during the period of any coronavirus-related disruptions or closures “to the greatest extent practicable,” explaining in detail all specific actions and decisions related thereto.

Given the high-profile nature of this funding, be alert for phishing attacks. Remember, Stan State will never ask you to email/text your password or ask you to verify your banking information via email.

Click here to view information about the CARES Act on the Financial Aid & Scholarship website