Dear Howard University Community, 

Thanks to funds allocated in the Federal CARES Act stimulus bill, Howard University students who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and need help to continue their studies amid the novel coronavirus public health crisis will soon be receiving federal dollars to do so. The first influx of funds is currently being dispersed to Universities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Howard will receive roughly $4.36 million under the bill.

To distribute the funds designated for post-secondary education, the Department of Education used a unique formula specified by Congress. The calculations to determine each University’s allocation included the following criteria: the number of full-time students who are eligible for PELL grants, the total population of the University and the number of students who were not enrolled in online courses before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Department of Education:

• mandates that individual institutions must determine which students will receive cash grants, and determine a process for funds are distributed to students. Half of the total amount that the school receives must go to its students who have demonstrated the most need (based on their FAFSA), and can be used to fund food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, childcare or other costs incurred due to the pandemic.
• has not provided a minimum amount that each recipient should receive. Funds will be available once the University receives the money from the Department of Education and must be distributed by September 30, 2021.
• asks that each University develop its own matrix for distribution of funds, and a process to enable the distribution.
• highlights that the entire process is subject to a federal audit.

In anticipation of receiving the funds, Howard University’s finance and enrollment management teams are currently finalizing the funding matrix to ensure that relief funds go to students with the greatest demonstrated need. All students are eligible to receive funds, but per the DOE guidance for the use of funds, students with an emergency COVID-19 related need or need demonstrated via FAFSA filings are prioritized, and will be evaluated according to the matrix developed. The CARES act funds are limited. We will only be able to meet the needs of the students with the least resources, and greatest need. Students who do not have an unmet need or are not adversely impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic are unlikely to receive funding. 

As part of the process being designed, students may need to submit a request, so that the University can keep records of how funds were distributed. We are establishing a maximum funding threshold for each student to ensure that these funds are distributed as widely as possible. We are prioritizing this funding stream in order to get money in the hands of students with the greatest need as quickly as possible. 2020 graduates will be prioritized, as they are not eligible for funding in the next academic year.

Our goal is to distribute funding to students before April 30, 2020, if funds are received from the Department of Education prior to that date. 

Now more than ever, we realize that our students and their families need help weathering the economic storm caused by COVID-19. The funding received from the federal government earmarked for distribution to our students to assist with their economic hardships caused by this devastating virus will provide some real financial relief our families need during this crisis.

Excellence in Truth and Service, 

Office of Enrollment Management