Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Information

The HEERF Emergency Grant (formerly the CARES Act) allocates funds to support individuals and businesses/organizations affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. HEERF includes several sources of funds for colleges and universities, including the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. CIIS will receive funds under HEERF to provide emergency grants to students for “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, and childcare).”

All CIIS students are eligible to apply for HEERF funds.  Students must show a loss of income or financial hardship due to COVID-19. Additional factors considered by the review committee may include student and/or family income, dependents, and fixed expenses. The request for emergency funding will be reviewed by a committee composed of representatives from the following offices: Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Affairs, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, and the Provost's Office.  Information disclosed will be kept confidential.

In compliance with the provisions of the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, this page provides information relevant to the funds that CIIS has received from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. 

Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3) Public Reporting

July 10, 2023 Quarterly Report (FINAL Quarterly Report)

April 10, 2023 Quarterly Report

January 10, 2023 Quarterly Report

October 10, 2022 Quarterly Report

July 10, 2022 Quarterly Report

April 10, 2022 Quarterly Report

January 10, 2022 Quarterly Report

October 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (REVISED)

July 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (REVISED)

April 10, 2021 Quarterly Report

January 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (REVISED)

October 30, 2020 Quarterly Report (REVISED)

Previously posted versions:

October 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (ORIGINAL)

July 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (FIRST REVISION)

July 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (ORIGINAL)

January 10, 2021 Quarterly Report (ORIGINAL)

October 30, 2020 Quarterly Report (ORIGINAL)

Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion Public Reporting

HEERF II & III: CRRSAA & ARP

1. UPDATED October 10, 2022 
   An acknowledgement that the institution 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 CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. 
   CIIS signed and returned the Certification and Agreement on April 16, 2020. CIIS assures that the institution has used the applicable amount of designated CRRSAA and ARP funds to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 
   CIIS received $176,178.00 in Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds from CRRSAA and $424,071.00 in Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds from ARP.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter). 
   As of October 10, 2022, the total amount distributed to students as emergency financial aid grants was $176,178.00 under CRRSAA and $424,071.00 under ARP.
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 
   There were 2,564 students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants across the four semesters in which CRRSAA and ARP awards were made (Spring 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Spring 2022).    
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 
   As of October 10, 2022, 744 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under either CRRSAA or ARP.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 
   CIIS opened the CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Application to all students who were eligible to complete a 2020-2021 FAFSA. The selection committee reviewed all applicants and allocated the funds in three groups:  

• Undergraduates who met the eligible criteria and submitted the application by the deadline
• Graduate/Professional students with dependents who met the eligible criteria and submitted the application by the deadline
• All other Graduate/Professional students who met the eligible criteria and submitted the application by the deadline  

CIIS opened the ARP Emergency Financial Aid Application to all students who were enrolled at CIIS.  The selection committee reviewed all applicants and allocated the funds to the following groups:  

• Students who have dependents and with refunds less than $5,000
• Students who have dependents and with refunds more than $5,000 but less than $12,999
• Students who have dependents and with refunds more than $13,000
• Students who have no dependents and with refunds less than $5,000
• Students who have no dependents and with refunds between $5,001 up to $9,999
• Students who have no dependents and with refunds more than $10,000 
   

For both programs, funding amounts varied based on the circumstances that directly impacted students’ education and did not exceed the amount of $1,500.

1. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. 
   N/A

HEERF I: CARES Act

UPDATED October 10, 2020

NOTE: This is the final report that covers all expenditures for HEERF I (CARES Act) Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds.

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. 
   CIIS signed and submitted the CARES Act Certification and Agreement on April 16, 2020 and assures that the institution used no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. 
   CIIS received $176,178.00 in CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds.
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter). 
   As of October 10, 2020, the total amount distributed to students as emergency financial aid grants is $176,178.00.
4. 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 thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 
   There are 968 students eligible to participate (based on FAFSA eligibility and eligible programs).
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 
   As of October 10, 2020, 141 students received the Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 
   CIIS opened the CARES Act Application to all students who were eligible to complete a 2019-2020 FAFSA. The selection committee reviewed all applicants and allocated the funds in three groups:

• Undergraduates who met the eligible criteria and submitted the application by the deadline
• Graduate/Professional students with dependents who met the eligible criteria and submitted the application by the deadline 
• All other Graduate/Professional students who met the eligible criteria and submitted the CARES Act application by the deadline 
• Funding amounts varied based on the circumstances that directly impacted students’ education and did not exceed the amount of $1,500.

1. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.  

• Must be enrolled in an eligible degree program at the time of application
• Must be a U.S citizen or Permanent Resident
• Must be eligible to complete a FAFSA application