HEERF Required Reporting UPDATE

American Rescue Plan (ARP)/HEERF III Required Reporting Update – April 10, 2022

The American Rescue Plan Act provided $1,996,101 to CSB and $1,738,517 to SJU, approximately half of which was distributed as grants to students on October 22, 2021 during Fall semester. The second half was distributed on March 21, 2022 during Spring semester.  Saint Ben’s and Saint John’s signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

In Fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year, there were an estimated 1,486 students at CSB eligible for federal Title IV financial aid and 1,479 at SJU. Federal guidelines for ARP/HEERF III funds require that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding grants to students.

The allocation plan for HEERF III student grants was determined by a team made up of the Vice Presidents for Finance, the Directors of Financial Aid, and the Director of Student Accounts. The plan was approved by the Presidents of CSB and SJU. There was consensus that priority be given to students with greater financial need (lower Expected Family Contributions (EFC)). The institution awarded grants to FAFSA filers with an EFC less than $75,000.

The chart below outlines the grant amount awarded for the Spring semester based on each student’s EFC:

EFC Range 

CSB student count

ARP Funds 

SJU student count

ARP Funds 

0 – 5,846 

306

$1,160-1,161

293

$1,120

5,847 – 15,500 

230

$1,020

198

$958-960

15,501 – 30,000  

232

$870

215

$800 

30,001 – 50,000  

192

$708

171

$645

50,001 – 75,000  

87

$560

86

$492 

SJU School of Theology

 

 

12

$492 

 

In total, 1,047 Saint Ben’s students received funding totaling $976,148 for Spring semester, while at Saint John’s 975 students received $848,617.

Students receiving funds were given the option to apply their grant to their student account or to their personal checking or savings account.

The email sent to recipients prior to grant distribution contained the following instructions:

Email subject: You are receiving a Federal Grant – your action is needed.

First Name Last Name,

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University received Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) congress passed due to COVID-19.  A portion of this must be given to students, so you will be receiving a payment of $Grant Amount.  You may have received additional funds related to COVID-19 in the past, please note these funds have been exhausted and there will not be any in future semesters.

Please complete this form to indicate your preference on how you wish to receive this payment. If you do not complete this form by Sunday, March 20th, a check payment will automatically be mailed to your permanent address. 

If you have any questions, please contact either Student Accounts or Financial Aid office. 

Michelle Hemmesch

Director of Student Accounts

College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University

American Rescue Plan (ARP)/HEERF III Required Reporting Update – December 31, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act provided $1,996,101 to CSB and $1,738,517 to SJU, approximately half of which was distributed as grants to students on October 22, 2021 during Fall semester.

In Fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year, there were an estimated 1,486 students at CSB eligible for federal Title IV financial aid and 1,479 at SJU. Federal guidelines for ARP/HEERF III funds require that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding grants to students.

The allocation plan for HEERF III student grants was determined by a team made up of the Vice Presidents for Finance, the Directors of Financial Aid, and the Director of Student Accounts. The plan was approved by the Presidents of CSB and SJU. There was consensus that priority be given to students with greater financial need (lower Expected Family Contributions (EFC)). The institution awarded grants to FAFSA filers with an EFC less than $75,000.

The chart below outlines the grant amount awarded based on a student’s EFC:

EFC Range 

CSB student count

ARP Funds 

SJU student count

ARP Funds 

0 – 5,846 

323

$1,150 

303

$1,110

5,847 – 15,500 

241

$1,010

215

$950  

15,501 – 30,000  

251

$855

227

$800 

30,001 – 50,000  

198

$700 

187

$650 

50,001 – 75,000  

94

$552 

89

$492 

SJU School of Theology

 

 

11

$492 

 

In total, 1,107 Saint Ben’s students received funding totaling $1,019,953, while at Saint John’s 1,032 students received $889,900.

Students receiving funds were given the option to apply their grant to their student account or to their personal checking or savings account. 

The remaining ARP funds ($976,148 at CSB and $848,617 at SJU) will be awarded to students in Spring 2022 following a similar allocation plan.

American Rescue Plan (ARP)/HEERF III Required Reporting Update – September 30, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act provided $1,996,101 to CSB and $1,738,517 to SJU, approximately half of which will be awarded in fall 2021 as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The remaining funds will be awarded to students in Spring 2022.

As of September 30, 2021, none of the funds have been distributed to CSB and SJU students.

In the 2021-2022 academic year, there are 1,486 students at CSB eligible for federal Title IV financial aid and 1,479 at SJU.  Federal guidelines for ARP/HEERF III funds require that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding grants to students.

The allocation plan for HEERF III student grants was determined by a team made up of the Vice Presidents for Finance, the Directors of Financial Aid, and the Director of Student Accounts.  There was consensus that priority be given to students with greater financial need (lower Expected Family Contributions (EFC)0.  This is reflected in the allocation plan for awards below:

EFC Range
Estimated
HEERF III Grant
– Fall
Estimated
HEERF III Grant
– Spring

0 – 5,846

$1,150

$1,150

5,847 – 15,500

$1,000

$1,000

15,501 – 30,000

$840

$840

30,001 – 50,000

$675

$675

50,001 – 75,000

$525

$525

Approximately 1,100 CSB students and 1,030 SJU students will receive HEERF III grant funding under this plan.

Students receiving funds will be given the option to apply their grant to their student account or to their personal checking or savings account.

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Required Reporting Update – June 30, 2021

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) provided $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU, all of which has been awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The amounts distributed to CSB and SJU students as of June 30, 2021 are as follows:

  • CSB:    $786,276
  • SJU:    $678,568

Federal guidelines for CRRSAA funds require that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding grants to students. In the 2020-2021 academic year, there were 1,618 students at CSB eligible for federal Title IV financial aid and 1,526 at SJU.

The allocation plan for CRRSAA student grants was determined by a team made up of the Vice Presidents for Finance and Directors of Financial Aid and Student Accounts.  There was consensus that priority be given to students with greater financial need (lower Expected Family Contributions (EFCS)).  This is reflected in the outline of awards below. 

Grants were distributed March 25, 2021 to students having a FAFSA EFC less than 50,000 as follows:

EFC CSB SJU
0 – 5,711 $1,100 – $1,200 $1,025
5,712 – 15,720 $770 $714
15,721 – 30,000 $550 $508 – $510
30,001 – 50,000 $350 $350

There were 1,049 student recipients at CSB and 971 at SJU.

Next Steps

Families who have experienced a significant change in their financial situation may still complete the  CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the Financial Aid Office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form. Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), Director of Financial Aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), Director of Financial Aid at SJU.

Updated CARES Act Information – December 31, 2020

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have each separately signed, and returned, to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and intend to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Grants to students.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU, all of which has been awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The amounts distributed to CSB and SJU students as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

  • CSB:    $786,276
  • SJU:    $678,568

CARES Act funding is restricted to students who meet the qualifications outlined by the federal government as part of the CARES Act, which states only students who are eligible for federal Title IV financial aid may receive emergency grant funding. At Saint Ben’s, approximately 1,600 students meet these criteria, and at Saint John’s approximately 1,500.

To determine how best to distribute CARES Act student emergency grants to eligible students, a team was convened to evaluate options. There was consensus that priority would be given to students with greater financial need as demonstrated by the 2019-20 FAFSA.

Based on this information, grants were distributed by June 30, 2020 to four groups of eligible students. Students received funds via a check mailed to their permanent address on file with the Registrar’s office. As of December 31, 2020, 1,374 CSB students have received CARES Act Grants funding, and 1,222 SJU students have received funding.

  • Group 1: Federal Pell Grant Recipients: The institutions distributed $800 grants to 689  Federal Pell Grant recipients at CSB and SJU who were enrolled in eligible programs during spring semester 2020 when the CARES Act was enacted. 
  • Group 2: Students with a FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution) too high for a Pell Grant but within Minnesota State Granteligibility received $600. 495 students at the institutions received this funding. This includes students from outside of Minnesota who would quality for a state grant if they were a Minnesota resident.
  • Group 3: Other undergraduate and School of Theology FAFSA filers for 2019-20, which total 1,400 students between both schools, received $350.
  • Group 4: CSB and SJU made the remaining CARES Act funds available via  online application

Next Steps

Families who have experienced a significant change in their financial situation may still complete the  CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the financial aid office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form. Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at SJU.

Updated CARES Act Information – September 30, 2020

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have each separately signed, and returned, to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and intend to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Grants to students.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU, most of which has been awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The amounts distributed to CSB and SJU students as of September 30 are as follows:
  • CSB:    $754,990
  • SJU:    $664,270

CARES Act funding is restricted to students who meet the qualifications outlined by the federal government as part of the CARES Act, which states only students who are eligible for federal Title IV financial aid may receive emergency grant funding. At Saint Ben’s, approximately 1,600 students meet these criteria, and at Saint John’s approximately 1,500.

To determine how best to distribute CARES Act student emergency grants to eligible students, a team was convened to evaluate options. There was consensus that priority would be given to students with greater financial need as demonstrated by the 2019-20 FAFSA.

Based on this information, grants were distributed by June 30, 2020 to four groups of eligible students. Students received funds via a check mailed to their permanent address on file with the Registrar’s office. As of September 30, 1,374 CSB students have received CARES Act Grants funding, and 1,222 SJU students have received funding. See below for a link to the online application.

  • Group 1: Federal Pell Grant Recipients: The institutions distributed $800 grants to 689  Federal Pell Grant recipients at CSB and SJU who were enrolled in eligible programs during spring semester 2020 when the CARES Act was enacted. 
  • Group 2: Students with a FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution) too high for a Pell Grant but within Minnesota State Grant eligibility received $600. 495 students at the institutions received this funding. This includes students from outside of Minnesota who would quality for a state grant if they were a Minnesota resident.
  • Group 3: Other undergraduate and School of Theology FAFSA filers for 2019-20, which total 1,400 students between both schools, received $350.
  • Group 4: CSB and SJU have made the remaining CARES Act funds available via  online application. While Saint John’s CARES Act funds have been exhausted, any eligible CSB student may still apply for a grant from the remaining funds (approximately $31,000). These grants will range from approximately $400 to $1,200 based on 1) the amount requested and 2) demonstrated financial need as determined by a review of the student’s FAFSA.

CSB and SJU will continue to review guidance from the Department of Education regarding these funds. We know this funding is important to our students, and our goal is to get student emergency grants to students as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Next Steps

Families who have experienced a significant change in their financial situation my complete the CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the financial aid office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form. Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at SJU.

Updated CARES Act Information – August 28, 2020

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have each separately signed, and returned, to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and intend to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Grants to students.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU, most of which has been awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The amounts distributed to CSB and SJU students as of August 28 are as follows:
  • CSB:    $735,580
  • SJU:    $657,320

CARES Act funding is restricted to students who meet the qualifications outlined by the federal government as part of the CARES Act, which states only students who are eligible for federal Title IV financial aid may receive emergency grant funding. At Saint Ben’s, approximately 1,600 students meet these criteria, and at Saint John’s approximately 1,500.

To determine how best to distribute CARES Act student emergency grants to eligible students, a team was convened to evaluate options. There was consensus that priority would be given to students with greater financial need as demonstrated by the 2019-20 FAFSA.

Based on this information, grants were distributed by June 30, 2020 to four groups of eligible students. Students received funds via a check mailed to their permanent address on file with the Registrar’s office. As of August 28, 1,376 CSB students have received CARES Act Grants funding, and 1,224 SJU students have received funding. See below for a link to the online application.

  • Group 1: Federal Pell Grant Recipients: The institutions distributed $800 grants to 689  Federal Pell Grant recipients at CSB and SJU who were enrolled in eligible programs during spring semester 2020 when the CARES Act was enacted. 
  • Group 2: Students with a FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution) too high for a Pell Grant but within Minnesota State Grant eligibility received $600. 495 students at the institutions received this funding. This includes students from outside of Minnesota who would quality for a state grant if they were a Minnesota resident.
  • Group 3: Other undergraduate and School of Theology FAFSA filers for 2019-20, which total 1,400 students between both schools, received $350.
  • Group 4: CSB and SJU will make the remaining CARES Act funds available via online application beginning immediately and extending until the funds are exhausted. Any eligible student may apply for a grant from the remaining funds (approximately $50,000 at CSB and $21,000 at SJU). These grants will range from approximately $400 to $1,200 based on 1) the amount requested and 2) demonstrated financial need as determined by a review of the student’s FAFSA.

CSB and SJU will continue to review guidance from the Department of Education regarding these funds. We know this funding is important to our students, and our goal is to get student emergency grants to students as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Next Steps

Families who have experienced a significant change in their financial situation my complete the CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the financial aid office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form. Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at SJU.

Updated CARES Act Information – July 15, 2020

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have each separately signed, and returned, to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and intend to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Grants to students.

The CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided $786,276 to CSB and $678,568 to SJU, most of which has been awarded as grants directly to students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  The amounts distributed to CSB and SJU students as of July 15 are as follows:
  • CSB:    $729,345
  • SJU:    $640,240

CARES Act funding is restricted to students who meet the qualifications outlined by the federal government as part of the CARES Act, which states only students who are eligible for federal Title IV financial aid may receive emergency grant funding. At Saint Ben’s, approximately 1,600 students meet these criteria, and at Saint John’s approximately 1,500.

To determine how best to distribute CARES Act student emergency grants to eligible students, a team was convened to evaluate options. There was consensus that priority would be given to students with greater financial need as demonstrated by the 2019-20 FAFSA.

Based on this information, grants were distributed by June 30, 2020 to four groups of eligible students. Students received funds via a check mailed to their permanent address on file with the Registrar’s office. As of July 15, 1,372 CSB students have received CARES Act Grants funding, and 1,220 SJU students have received funding. See below for a link to the online application.

  • Group 1: Federal Pell Grant Recipients: The institutions distributed $800 grants to 689  Federal Pell Grant recipients at CSB and SJU who were enrolled in eligible programs during spring semester 2020 when the CARES Act was enacted. 
  • Group 2: Students with a FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution) too high for a Pell Grant but within Minnesota State Grant eligibility received $600. 495 students at the institutions received this funding. This includes students from outside of Minnesota who would quality for a state grant if they were a Minnesota resident.
  • Group 3: Other undergraduate and School of Theology FAFSA filers for 2019-20, which total 1,400 students between both schools, received $350.
  • Group 4: CSB and SJU will make the remaining CARES Act funds available via online application beginning immediately and extending until the funds are exhausted. Any eligible student may apply for a grant from the remaining funds (approximately $60,000 at CSB and $40,000 at SJU). These grants will range from $400 to $1,200 based on 1) the amount requested and 2) demonstrated financial need as determined by a review of the student’s FAFSA.

CSB and SJU will continue to review guidance from the Department of Education regarding these funds. We know this funding is important to our students, and our goal is to get student emergency grants to students as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Next Steps

Families who have experienced a significant change in their financial situation my complete the CSB/SJU Special Circumstances form, following completion of the FAFSA, and submit it to the financial aid office, along with supporting documentation as explained on the form. Questions about the CARES Act Grant or applying for financial aid can be directed to Stuart Perry ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at CSB or Robert Piechota ( [email protected]), director of financial aid at SJU.