Dear Howard University Students,

Recently, the university was awarded $4.36 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funding.  These funds are a component of the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. 

The HEERF Fund provides federal aid to institutions of higher education to disburse over the next year to help students cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, including food, housing, utilities, course materials, technology, healthcare, childcare, and moving/transportation expenses.

The Phase 1 allocation of emergency funding will be directly distributed to more than 7,000 Howard University undergraduate, graduate and professional students by May 31, 2020. Grant amounts will range from $250 to $500 and will depend on a student’s level of financial need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 

According to the IRS, these grants are considered to be a “qualified disaster relief payment,” which is not subject to taxes and does not need to be included in your gross income. 

The University has earmarked $2.9 million to be distributed immediately in Phase 1. The Phase 2 balance of $1.45 million will be used to cover student needs during the Summer and during the Fall 2020 semester. 

The grants will be disbursed to eligible students’ accounts in a similar manner to the housing and meal plan reimbursements that were distributed to Howard students last month. 

We are grateful to the Federal Government for their decision to make these funds available to help Howard students in this very tumultuous and extraordinary time.  

Thank you for your continued support of Howard University. 

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Michael Masch
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer