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Point Park University is posting this public notice to its website to comply with the requirements of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)  and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP).

Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding


The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from the Covid-19 pandemic. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund, which provides money for colleges and universities including Point Park. Point Park has signed and returned the Department of Education Certification and Agreement and has been awarded and received $3,193,085, $1,596,543 (half) of which is to be awarded directly to students as emergency financial aid grants.  Point Park received a second designation of $1,596,542 in May 2020 from the federal COVID-19 relief bill (CARES Act). These funds were designated by the federal government to offset the University’s institutional costs related to the pandemic. Point Park applied the full designation towards costs incurred during the spring semester related to prorated student reimbursements of room and board charges.

Student grants were to be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students who met basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and were enrolled during the Spring 2020 semester were considered for these funds. The U.S. Department of Education did not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-degree students or students enrolled in fully online programs. Any student who withdrew prior to March 13, 2020 was not eligible.

We estimated that a total of 2643 students qualify for these funds. We awarded $1,596,778 to 2385 students. To receive initial CARES Act funds, students had to complete an application form on PointWeb. A history of what Point Park awarded in student aid - and when - can be seen under the “CARES I / HEERF - Student Aid Award Dates & Amounts” section below.

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Funding

On Dec. 20, 2020, a second round of federal support was approved by the federal government.  Point Park signed and returned the Department of Education Certification and Agreement and received $3,193,085, $1,596,543 (half) of which was to be awarded directly to students. 

Funding amounts for CRRSAA (CARES II) were determined based on enrollment status and determination of need level, considering such factors as PELL eligibility. No application form was required to be submitted. A FASFA application was required to provide evidence of Domestic student status.

We estimated that a total of 3,115 students qualified for these funds. In April of 2021, the University awarded $1,596,543 to 3,115 students. No additional application was necessary to qualify for round two of funding.

A history of what Point Park awarded in student aid - and when - can be seen under the “CRRSAA / HEERF - Student Aid Award Dates & Amounts” section below.

American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding

On March 11, 2021 a third round of federal support was approved by the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan. Point Park signed and returned the Department of Education Certification and Agreement and received $9,088,231. Of this total amount, $4,644,574.00 is to be awarded directly to students in the fall of 2021 and spring of 2022.

The awards will be determined based on enrollment status and need level, as described in the Higher Education Relief Fund III Frequently Asked Questions document, section B. Funding amounts for ARP (CARES III) are determined based on enrollment status and determination of need level, considering such factors as PELL eligibility. Fund eligibility was expanded to include international and non-degree students. No application form was required to be submitted. Students attending during the 2021-2022 academic year are eligible to receive funds.  Funding distributions began in Fall 2021.

We estimate that 3,800 students will qualify for these funds. A history of what Point Park awarded in student aid - and when - can be seen under the “American Rescue Plan / HEERF - Student Aid Award Dates & Amounts” section below.
  • As of December 31, 2022 we awarded $4,653,312 to 3,808 students
  • As of Sept. 30, 2022 we awarded $4,640,121 to 3,798 students
  • As of June 30, 2022 we awarded $4,514,626 to 3,798 students
  • As of May 31, 2022 we awarded $4,479,926 to 3,777 students
  • As of April 30, 2022 we awarded $4,477,926 to 3,776 students
  • As of April 1, 2022 we awarded $4,433,526 to 3,640 students
  • As of March 1, 2022 we awarded $4,392,626 to 3,506 students
  • As of Nov. 8, 2021, we awarded $4,317,546 to 3,377 students
  • As of Aug. 30, 2021, we awarded $14,858 to 8 students.
  • As of April 2021, we awarded $1,596,543 to 3,115 students
  • As of March 21, 2021 we awarded $1,596,778 to 2,385 students
  • As of January 21, 2021 we awarded $1,492,855 to 2,385 students
  • As of Dec. 31, 2020, we awarded $1,458,455 to 2381 students
  • As of Nov. 24, 2020, we awarded $1,450,435 to 2375 students
  • As of Oct. 30, 2020, we awarded $1,439,935 to 2367 students
  • As of Oct. 2, 2020, we awarded $1,432,255 to 2360 students
  • As of Sept. 25, 2020, we awarded $1,431,655 to 2358 students
  • As of Sept. 18, 2020, we awarded $1,429,815 to 2356 students
  • As of Sept. 11, 2020, we awarded $1,420,070 to 2336 students
  • As of Sept. 4, 2020, we awarded $1,411,290 to 2323 students
  • As of Aug. 28, 2020, we awarded $1,382,750 to 2288 students
  • As of Aug. 21, 2020, we awarded $1,352,580 to 2225 students
  • As of Aug.13, 2020, we awarded $1,308,503 to 2155 students
  • As of Aug. 7, 2020, we awarded $1,225,068 to 2100 students
  • As of July 27, 2020, we awarded $1,166,943 to 2004 students
  • As of July 17, 2020, we awarded $1,145,518& to 1964 students
  • As of July 10, 2020, we awarded $1,091,213 to 1871 students
  • As of July 2, 2020, we awarded $1,043,603 to 1787 students
  • As of June 26, 2020, we awarded $1,036,808 to 1776 students
  • As of June 18, 2020, we awarded $1,015,223 to 1739 students
  • As of June 12, 2020, we awarded $966,968 to 1649 students
  • As of June 4, 2020, we awarded $925,653 to 1578 students
  • As of May 29, 2020, we awarded $845,059 and 1436 students
  • As of May 22, 2020, we awarded $700,759 to 1184 students
  • As of May 15, 2020, we awarded $520,341 to 876 student

Will I qualify for HEERF Student Aid funding under the federal CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP?

Undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students who met basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and were enrolled during the Spring 2020 semester were considered for funds from the CARES Act and CRRSAA. The U.S. Department of Education did not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-degree students or students enrolled in fully online programs. Any student who withdrew prior to March 13, 2020 was not eligible. Money awarded was paid directly students within 14 days of the funds posting to their student account.

Funding amounts for CRRSAA (CARES II) were determined based on enrollment status and determination of need level, considering such factors as PELL eligibility. No application form was required to be submitted. A FASFA application was required to provide evidence of Domestic student status.

Funding amounts for ARP (CARES III) were determined based on enrollment status and determination of need level, considering such factors as PELL eligibility. Fund eligibility was expanded to include international and non-degree students. No application form was required to be submitted. Students attending during 2021-2022 academic year are eligible to receive funds.  Funding distributions began in Fall 2021.

Is the FAFSA required in order to receive CARES Act funding?

Yes, every student had to complete the 2019-20 FAFSA to be eligible for a CARES Act grant.

 

How much money will I receive?

CARES Act (CARES I): The federal government provided Point Park a finite pool of money to distribute. For the initial CARES Act funding, the award amount varied by enrollment status. Full-time undergraduate students were eligible to receive up to $640. Full-time graduate/doctoral students were eligible to receive up to $425. Part-time undergraduate and graduate/doctoral students were eligible to receive up to $400.

CRRSAA (CARES II): The federal government has provided Point Park a finite pool of money to distribute. For CRRSAA, award amounts to students were based on enrollment status and need level.

ARP (CARES III): Funding amounts for ARP (CARES III) were determined based on enrollment status and determination of need level, considering such factors as PELL eligibility. Fund eligibility was expanded to include international and non-degree students.

How can I receive my grant?

Direct deposit of the award into a checking account is the safest, quickest and most-efficient way to receive the funds when they are available. View instructions on setting up direct deposit.  Students who do not elect direct deposit will have a paper check mailed to the address on the form.