As a result of Congress passing the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), JMU has been allocated $6,040,329 in emergency student aid.  This aid will be awarded as HEERF II Grants. The date of enactment for CRRSAA was December 27, 2020. 

• Funds may be used for pre-award costs incurred on or after December 27, 2020.
• Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.
• Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.
• Students must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
• Students must be in a degree program

Students who are enrolled in the Spring 2021 term and meet the following criteria may be considered for these funds:

• Enrolled in a degree program
• Enrolled in at least a half-time load of classes
• Have a 2020-21 FAFSA on file with JMU indicating they meet the citizenship requirements

Additionally, unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need when awarding HEERF II Grants, such as students who receive Pell Grants.

JMU has defined exceptional need for the purpose of these funds based on two populations:

• First – Group 1 students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $17,501
• Second – Group 2 students may be determined exceptionally need based on the nature of their appeal.

While the CRRSAA does not require students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to receive funds, the only way we can determine if a student meets the citizenship requirement in an automated fashion is for a FAFSA to be filed.  Upon filing the FAFSA, the federal government conducts a Citizenship Database Match on each application.  When the FAFSA data is received by JMU, it indicates whether or not the student passes the citizenship match.

Grants can be used to pay for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

It’s important to note the following:

• HEERF II funds CANNOT be awarded to replace lost income, so please do not submit an appeal based on this reason.
• HEERF II funds can only be awarded based on expenses associated with the Spring 2021 term.

For example, if a COVID related job loss creating challenges in paying for your rent, then you may explain this.  In this situation, the focus is on paying for rent, and the lost job is creating challenges in doing so.  However, if you submit an appeal that only states you lost a job, it will not be approved as we cannot approve appeals to replace lost income.  An appeal of this nature does not outline any specific expense you are challenged in meeting as a result of the job loss.

If the income reduction leads to challenges in paying expenses, then it can be included as part of the appeal for HEERF II Grant funds (as outlined above). If it does not, then you go through the Professional Judgment process in the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships to see if an income reduction will change your financial aid eligibility. You can find information about that process in the Financial Aid Appeals (Professional Judgment) section of our website.

Unfortunately, you cannot.  The CRRSAA legislation specifically states funds may only be used for pre-award costs incurred on or after December 27, 2020.  This was after the conclusion of the Fall 2020 term.

No.  Students must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis in the Spring 2021 to be considered for assistance.

No. Funding is limited. Awards will be made as long as funds are available.

No. Due to the limited funding we received and the desire to assist as many students as possible, the maximum amount any student can receive is $1,000.

While we cannot give you a specific timeframe on when you will receive your funds, we can say that the refund to you will be generated as quickly as possible.

Students will receive their award through the refund process established in the University Business Office. If you have questions about setting up the refund process, please review the website at www.jmu.edu/ubo.  These funds will not be held and applied to any JMU charges. Once received, students may use the funds to assist with the designated expenses, including using them to make a payment to JMU for Spring 2021 tuition charges.  These are grant awards, with no expectation of being repaid. 

No, the funds will be refunded directly to you. JMU will not apply these funds to any outstanding charges.  Once received, students may use the funds to assist with the designated expenses, including using them to make a payment to JMU for Spring 2021 tuition charges.

No, only students enrolled in a degree-seeking program are eligible to receive funds.

No, HEERF II Grant awards will not reduce your financial aid package.

No, international and undocumented students are not eligible for HEERF II Grants.

It is our understanding based on information from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) that HEERF II Grants awarded to students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) are not treated as taxable income.

The same is true for HEERF I funds awarded under the CARES Act.

According to the IRS website, "Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income."