2023 HEERF Fund and CARES Act Disclosures

HEERF Fund Reporting Disclosure (March 31, 2023)

On March 11, 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education. This new COVID stimulus bill included $40 billion for higher education institutions and students. Of this funding, Azusa Pacific University was allotted $17 million, $8.58 million of which to be used for direct student assistance grants.

APU signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form for the ARP acts within the required timeframe with the intention of utilizing a total of $8.58 million of the funds from ARP for student assistance, as is required by the legislation.

We estimate that 18,071 students are eligible for ARP funds based on federal eligibility guidelines.

As of March 31, 2023, APU has distributed all $8.58 million of the $8.58 million in ARP funding. This funding was distributed according to the following methodology:

• An immediate allocation of $2 million was prioritized for students with the highest need. High-need students were identified as students who had received a disbursement of PELL, Cal Grant, or the APU Valentine fund within the 2020-21 year. A total of 1,994 students who met this criteria received an immediate award of $1,000 each.

• After prioritizing the highest-need students, a second allocation of $3.4 million was disbursed between July 1, 2021, and September 30, 2021, to students who were enrolled since the time of the emergency declaration and had owing balances resulting from the COVID disruption. Students whose APU records indicated having owing balances were contacted via email and given the opportunity to complete a simple form indicating whether their owing balance was attributable to COVID disruption. In this allocation, 1,285 students were awarded amounts varying from $100-$10,000 depending on the size of their owing balance. Awarded students were given the option of having the amount applied to any owing balance on their account; however, awards and award amounts were not made contingent upon students electing to apply funds to any balances.

• An additional allocation of $2.95 million was awarded between October 1, 2021, and December 31, 2021, for students who were enrolled since the time of the emergency declaration and had owing balances resulting from the COVID disruption. Students whose APU records indicated having owing balances were contacted via email and given the opportunity to complete a simple form indicating whether their owing balance was attributable to COVID disruption. In this allocation, 1,106 students were awarded with amounts from $100-$10,000 depending on the size of their owing balance. Awarded students were given the option of having the amount applied to any owing balance on their account; however, awards and award amounts were not made contingent upon students electing to apply funds to any balances.

• Between January 1, 2022, and February 23, 2023, no ARP funds were awarded.

Beginning on 2/24/2023, APU students were given the opportunity of applying for the remaining $255,000 in HEERF student funds from the federal government. Students who were enrolled at APU during the COVID-19 emergency and who had owing balances are encouraged to apply for a HEERF/COVID-19 Fund Relief Grant by completing an application and indicating whether their owing balance is attributable to COVID-19 disruption. In this allocation, 54 students were awarded with amounts from $100-$10,000 depending on the size of their owing balance. Awarded students were given the option of having the amount applied to any eligible owing balance on their account, but awards and award amounts are not contingent upon students electing to apply funds to any balances.

As of 3/10/2023, all HEERF Funds had been expended by APU.

Should you have any questions about the ARP, contact APU at [email protected] or (626) 815-2020. The APU community continues to pray for you and those you love during this time.

In keeping with federal disclosure requirements, APU is posting this March 2023 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting (QBER) Form. This form reflects the quarter just ended expenditures for the Student Aid portion of the HEERF funds and the total of funds awarded over the period from when the funds were first awarded through March 31, 2023.

HEERF/COVID-19 Fund Relief Grant Opportunity

As of 2/24/2023, APU has $255,000 in HEERF student funds from the federal government, and APU students can apply to have these funds applied toward owing balances. Students who were enrolled at APU during the COVID-19 emergency and who have owing balances are encouraged to apply for a HEERF/COVID-19 Fund Relief Grant by completing an application and indicating whether their owing balance is attributable to COVID-19 disruption.

Awarded amounts will vary from $100-$10,000 depending on the size of a student’s owing balance. Awards are subject to availability of funds, and applications must be received prior to June 29, 2023. Awarded students have the option of having the amount applied to any eligible owing balance on their account, but awards and award amounts are not contingent upon students electing to apply funds to any balances.

The application is now closed.

As of 3/10/2023, all HEERF funds have been expended.