Public Information Required by the CARES Act
As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Manhattan College is required to post the following information:
- Manhattan College has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the required Certification and Agreement for receipt of CARES Act funding. Manhattan College 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
- The total amount of funds that Manhattan College will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students: $1,638,875
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to Manhattan College students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission: $1,638,875
- The estimated total number of Manhattan College students 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: 3,563
- The total number of Manhattan College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: 3,563
- The methodology used by Manhattan College to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is as follows:
- Manhattan College assumed all degree-seeking enrolled students incurred some level of expenses related to the disruption of campus operations and courses moving to a remote learning format due to the pandemic, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare expenses
- Manhattan distributed the funds in a way that matched the allocation methodology of the Department of Education; awarding more to students demonstrating high need based on EFC
- Awards were made in tiers in the following grant amounts: $70, $140, $210, $355, $360, $540, $900
- Grant amounts were calculated based on the demonstrated financial need of eligible students as reported on the FAFSA submissions for the current academic year (Expected Family Contribution). The College has created separate funding pools for Pell recipients and non-Pell recipients to ensure we prioritize students with greatest need from both categories, which is in keeping with US Department of Education requirements and funding allocations. Funds have been allocated to each pool proportionately based on the eligible headcount for undergraduates and for graduates and weighted for course enrollment load.
- Students received emails notifying them of the award and refund of the award and instructions for updating electronic refunding to expedite refund delivery. This information was also posted on our website, which includes Frequently Asked Questions and an email address where students can send any additional questions.
Funding Methodology
Manhattan College has established two operational principles to guide the distribution of these grants:- Equity—the Department of Education funding allocation formula allocated 75 percent of the funds based upon Manhattan’s share of all Federal Pell Grant students nationally. Further, while all students have experienced some level of impact due to COVID-19, grant distribution should be proportional to those who have demonstrated high financial need based on the FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid).
- Timeliness and administrative simplicity–ensure access for the greatest number of deserving students possible to receive emergency aid as needed, with minimal administrative processes.
With these principles as our guide, we developed a two-phase process; an initial phase to distribute all of the CARES Act funding to eligible students as quickly as possible, and a second phase of distributing campus-based funds to students who are experiencing extenuating financial hardships that disrupts their access to education and who lack the financial means to cover these finances, with preference for students who are ineligible for CARES Act Funding.
CARES Act funding | |
---|---|
Student Type | CARES Act grant amout |
Undergraduate, Full-Time Federal Pell recipient (12crs+) | $900 |
Undergraduate, Part-Time Federal Pell recipient (9-11 crs) | $540 |
Undergraduate, Part-Time Federal Pell recipient (6-8 crs) | $360 |
Undergraduate, Full-Time non-Pell (12crs+) | $355 |
Undergraduate, Part-Time non-Pell (9-11 crs) | $210 |
Undergraduate, Part-Time non-Pell (6-8 crs) | $140 |
Graduate, Full-Time (6crs+) | $140 |
Graduate, Part-Time (3-5 crs) | $70 |
Manhattan College COVID-19 Emergency Fund
The U.S. Department of Education states only degree-seeking students who are Title IV eligible can be awarded CARES Act Emergency funds. This means students must have a FAFSA on file with Manhattan College, or be eligible to file one. Students who are eligible to file a FAFSA but did not file need not file an application at this time. Students who have filed a FAFSA but declined Title IV funds on their award letter are still eligible for the CARES funding.
Additional recent federal guidance further clarified who may receive CARES Act Emergency funds. Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow CARES Act Emergency funds to be used for international, DACA, or undocumented students or for any student who was exclusively taking online courses prior to March 13, 2020. Students who have urgent, unmet financial needs and/or are ineligible for a CARES Act grant may request support by submitting an application for Manhattan’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund.
Students who were enrolled during the Spring term and are experiencing extenuating financial hardships that disrupt their access to education and who lack the financial means to cover these finances may be eligible for funding from the College's Emergency Fund. Preference will be given to applicants who are ineligible for CARES Act funding. This will involve completing an application subject to a review process by a designated "CARES Act Team," including administrators from the Departments of the Dean of Students, Financial Aid, and Diversity & Equity. The CARES Act application for emergency funds has closed and no new applications are being accepted, however, please visit the Financial Aid Administration page on Professional Judgment Appeals providing guidance and an application for hardship and review of special circumstances.
Additional Information
For more information on the CARES Act, visit the FAQs page, or email caresact@manhattan.edu.