Dear Howard University Community, 

Howard University students arrive to the Hilltop from very diverse socio-economic backgrounds and circumstances. While we are committed to facilitating success for every student, we have always recognized that different students require distinct levels and types of assistance in order to make it to graduation.  

When the coronavirus pandemic unleashed simultaneous health and economic crises around the globe, we knew our students’ challenges were going to be exacerbated in a variety of distinct and exceedingly difficult ways. Immediately, we built upon our pre-existing efforts, created new programs and leveraged external funding to help our students based upon their specific areas of need. 

We also understand that there has been some confusion among the student body about the intentions behind and effects of Howard’s multiple efforts to support students during this time. We hope this communication clarifies these efforts and how they impact students differently depending on their circumstances. 

What is the HEART Grant? 

The Howard Easement and Assistance Relief Trust (HEART) Grant was created by Howard to help students afford the cost of attendance for Fall 2020 in acknowledgement of the immediate and long-term financial challenges that many students were facing because of the pandemic. The HEART Grant is fully funded with University resources. 

The HEART Grant provides eligible students up to $1,250, depending on their personal economic and academic situations. Grant funds will be used to: 

·       reduce outstanding student account balances; 

·       reduce out-of-pocket tuition expenses (i.e., debit or credit card payments, cashier or personal check payments, etc.); 

·       reduce the loan principal amounts used to cover Fall 2020 student charges; and  

·       refund students for any remaining expenses incurred to attend Howard this semester, including payments for room and board as well as other miscellaneous expenses. 

A total of 8,243 Howard students have qualified to receive HEART Grants, and we are expecting to distribute about $8 million in support of our students. Students who have already had the HEART Grant applied to their student loans may have received a small-dollar reimbursement for their loan servicing fees in addition to a reduction in the principal of their loan. We encourage all students to check their loan principal if they received a small reimbursement from their loan provider to see the full effect of the HEART Grant on their student loan account.  

The HEART Grant assists students in covering their immediate expenses and prepare for their futures during these uncertain and difficult times. While current financial pains are certainly felt more acutely, we strongly believe in the importance of assisting in the reduction of our students’ long-term debt burdens. The requirement to pay back student loans may often restrict our students/graduates’ short-term economic opportunities that affect their long-term financial stability.  

While we believe that the HEART Grant will have a positive, uplifting effect for our students, we also recognize that relief from short-term educational expenses and long-term loan debt repayments are not the only, or primary, concerns students are presently experiencing.  

What is the CARES Act? 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a federal program using federal funding that provides aid to colleges and universities to disburse to students facing urgent needs and to help the institutions cover unforeseen expenses caused by the pandemic. Howard received $8.72 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funding, which is a component of the CARES Act, in Spring 2020, half of which is required by law to go directly to students.  

As of Oct. 31, 2020, $7 million has been distributed, with the remainder to be used no later than Spring 2021. In accordance with CARES stipulations, $4.36 million was allocated for use by the University to cover institutional expenses, including continuing to pay faculty and staff. This funding has helped Howard avoid furloughs and layoffs. The other half of the funding is intended to directly benefit students. The University distributed $2.7 million to eligible students in Spring 2020 and is spending about $200,000 to cover housing and meals for students experiencing hardship this Fall who applied for and were granted assistance.   

In compliance with the Department of Education’s eligibility criteria, the grants were awarded based on a student’s level of financial need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Unlike the HEART Grants, student CARES Act funds must be given directly to the student; they cannot be applied by the University to reduce student bills. 

The pandemic has exacted a devastating toll on our country that was swift and likely to endure. Both of these programs work in tandem to mitigate the array of needs our students are experiencing now and will continue to experience in the semesters to come. Individuals are eligible to receive funds from both programs if their circumstances meet eligibility requirements for each method of assistance.  

We recognize that the benefits to students of both the CARES Act and HEART Grant programs are limited. If students have specific questions about their particular case, we encourage them to reach out to the Office of Student Accounts at bursarhelp@howard.edu after Dec. 4, 2020.  

During this time of unprecedented need, Howard is committed to supporting the continuity of our students’ educational efforts and retaining our workforce to the greatest extent possible. While the University’s resources are limited, and we are constrained by legal requirements in terms of how to provide support and how much support we can provide, we will always serve as advocates for our students and assist in identifying resources to connect those who need help with assistance.  

Excellence in Truth and Service, 

Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph.
Provost & Chief Academic Officer