Covid Relief Funds for Students

Distribution of CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Funds

Download the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II and III grant funds (September 2022)
Download the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II and III grant funds (June 2022)

Institutional Funds Reports

• Download the ARPA HEERF Institutional Funds Report June 2021 (Revised 5/4/22)
• Download the APRA HEERF Institutional Funds Report June 2021
• Download the CRRSAA HEERF Institutional Funds Report March 2021 (Revised 5/4/22)
• Download the CRRSAA HEERF Institutional Funds Report March 2021
• Download the CARES HEERF Institutional Funds Report October 2020

Previous Updates

Distribution of CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Funds (3/31/22)

Occidental College has signed and submitted the CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Funding Certifications and Agreements for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students to the Department of Education.

Occidental has been awarded $3,351,296 from the Department of Education for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. As of March 31, 2022, Occidental College has distributed $3,294,703 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Occidental has distributed the following Emergency Financial Aid Grants:

During the Spring 2020 semester Occidental distributed $500,767 of CARES funds to 362 Pell recipients and $180,174 to 169 non-Pell recipients, for a total distribution of $680,941.

During the Spring 2021 semester the balance of CARES student grant funds of $56,396 was distributed and $374,906 of the CRRSAA student grant funds was distributed as of June 30, 2021. $324,000 was distributed to 324 Pell recipients and $107,302 was distributed to 163 non-Pell recipients. 

During the Fall 2021 semester the balance of the CRRSAA student grant funds of $362,431 was distributed and $706,619 of ARP student grant funds was distributed as of December 31, 2021.  $384,100 was distributed to 334 Pell recipients and $684,950 was distributed to 1431 non-Pell recipients.Some of the emergency grants awarded in Fall 2021were distributed in early Jan 2022 as students had not provided payment delivery preference prior to Dec 31. $59,800 in student grants were distributed to 200 students in early Jan 2022.

During the Spring 2022 semester Occidental awarded the remainder of ARP student grant funds.  $380,450 was distributed to 326 Pell recipients and $673,160 was distributed to 1422 non-Pell recipients.  

During the Spring  2022 semester there were 1935 students eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants.

During Spring 2022, 1935 students were awarded an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. Of the 1935 students who were awarded emergency grants, 1748

 students have either received an e-refund/check or instructed the college to apply grant to outstanding student account balance, We are awaiting instructions from 187 students regarding payment delivery preference.

Occidental used the following method to determine grant amount distributed to each student:  All students were placed into categories based upon their calculated expected family contribution according to federal and institutional policies. Those students with the lowest expected family contributions were determined to have the greatest financial need, with gradations of need determined so that all students received some form of support. Grants ranged from $200 to $1170

Here are the complete instructions provided to students regarding Spring 2022 Emergency Financial Aid Grants funding:

As an Oxy student this semester, you are eligible to receive a COVID-19 relief grant.

During the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years Occidental was able to provide COVID-19 relief grants to students using Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the federal CARES and CRRSAA acts. Both of these acts stipulate that only students eligible for federal financial aid are eligible to receive these funds. This past fall, under the terms of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the College was able to distribute additional relief grants to all enrolled students, regardless of whether they were eligible for federal financial aid. 

Half of the ARP funds were distributed in the fall 2021 semester, with the remaining half held for distribution this spring semester. This was to ensure that all students who enrolled during the 2021/22 academic year received a grant. The amount of each grant is based on financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office, with larger grants going to students with the greatest financial need. The spring semester grant amounts range from $200 to $1,170.

You DO NOT have to submit an application in order to receive an ARP grant. The Business Office will post spring semester grants to all student accounts on Tuesday, March 15.  Students will receive an email from Student Business Services with details about how to receive the grant. These funds can be used for any component of your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Please note that COVID-19 relief grants are not considered taxable income.

If you have questions, please contact covidgrants@oxy.edu.

Distribution of CRRSAA/ARP/HEERF Funds (12/31/21)

Occidental College has signed and submitted the CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Funding Certifications and Agreements for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students to the Department of Education.

Occidental has been awarded $3,351,296 from the Department of Education for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. As of December 31, 2021, Occidental College has received and awarded $2,246,593 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students and is eligible to receive $1,104,703 in additional funds.

Occidental has distributed the following Emergency Financial Aid Grants:

During the Spring 2020 semester Occidental distributed $500,767 of CARES funds to 362 Pell recipients and $180,174 to 169 non-Pell recipients, for a total distribution of $680,941.

During the Spring 2021 semester the balance of CARES student grant funds of $56,396 was distributed and $374,906 of the CRRSAA student grant funds was distributed as of June 30, 2021. $324,000 was distributed to 324 Pell recipients and $107,302 was distributed to 163 non-Pell recipients. 

During the Fall 2021 semester the balance of the CRRSAA student grant funds of $362,431 was distributed and $707,019 of ARP student grant funds was distributed as of December 31, 2021.  $384,100 was distributed to 334 Pell recipients and $685,350 was distributed to 1431 non-Pell recipients.  The balance of ARP funds available is $1,169,603.

During the Fall 2021 semester there were 1990 students eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants.

During Fall 2021, 1990 students were awarded an Emergency Financial Aid Grant. Of the 1990 students who were awarded emergency grants, 1765 students have either received an e-refund or instructed the college to apply grant to outstanding student account balance,  We are awaiting instructions from 225 students regarding payment delivery preference.

Occidental used the following method to determine grant amount distributed to each student:  All students were placed into categories based upon their calculated expected family contribution according to federal and institutional policies. Those students with the lowest expected family contributions were determined to have the greatest financial need, with gradations of need determined so that all students received some form of support. Grants ranged from $200 to $1150

Here are the complete instructions provided to students regarding Fall 2021 Emergency Financial Aid Grants funding:

As some of you may remember, during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years, Occidental was able to provide emergency COVID relief grants to students using Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the federal CARES and CRRSAA acts. These two acts dictated that only students eligible for federal financial aid could receive these funds. Now, under the terms of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), grants can be distributed to all currently enrolled students, regardless of whether they are eligible for federal financial aid.  

You DO NOT have to submit an application in order to receive an ARP grant.  These funds can be used for any component of your 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. The amount of each grant will be based on your level of financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office, with priority going to students with the greatest financial need.
Total annual grant amounts will range from $400 to $2,300, with half of the funds distributed to all enrolled students this semester and the remainder to all enrolled students next semester.

This is to ensure that all students receive a grant, including those students graduating early and transfer students who are enrolled in the spring 2022 semester.

The Business Office will post fall semester grants to all student accounts by Monday, November 8.  Students will receive an email from Student Business Services with details about how we will refund your grant to you. Please note that COVID relief grants are not considered taxable income.

Distribution of CRRSAA/ARP/HEERF Funds (9/30/21)

Supplemental COVID relief grants from the U.S. Department of Education made possible by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) will be disbursed to all Oxy students for the Fall 2021 semester during the month of October, with priority given to those with the greatest demonstrated financial need. Previous COVID relief fund legislation required colleges and universities to limit distribution of funds to students who had filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Under the terms of ARP, all students are eligible. Occidental has a total of $2.2 million for distribution.  Approximately 50% of available funds will be distributed in the Fall 2021 semester and remainder will be distributed in the Spring 2022 semester.

Distribution of CARES/CRRSAA/ARP Funds (6/30/21)

Supplemental Covid relief grants from the U.S. Department of Education made possible by Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) are now available to Oxy financial aid recipients affected by the pandemic. The CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need. Because of the continuing uncertainty about the future of the pandemic, we distributed approximately 50% of the available funds in Spring 2021 and will distribute 50% in Fall 2021.

Occidental received $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act and  received another $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSSA Act. Occidental is also eligible to receive $1,876,622 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the recently approved ARP Act.

During the Spring 2020 semester Occidental distributed $500,767 of CARES funds to 362 Pell recipients and $180,174 to 169 non-Pell recipients, for a total distribution of $680,941.

During the Spring 2021 semester the balance of CARES student grant funds of $56,396 was distributed and $374,906 of the CRRSAA student grant funds was distributed as of June 30, 2021. $324,000 was distributed to 324 Pell recipients and $107,302 was distributed to 163 non-Pell recipients. The balance of CRRSAA funds available is $362,431 and the balance of ARP funds available is $1,876,622

As was the case with CARES grants last spring, CRRSAA grants were distributed in two ways:

• All of Oxy’s high-need Pell recipients automatically received an $1,000 credit to their student account on Monday, March 15. Students received an email that same afternoon from Student Business Services with details about how we would refund their grant on March 19.

• All other financial aid recipients can apply for a grant of up to $750 each that can be used for any part of their cost of attendance or to meet pandemic-related emergency costs as defined by the CRRSAA, including the cost of tuition, food, housing, health care, mental health care, child care, and technology. Students who received the automatic $1,000 credit are not eligible to apply for additional funding. The application is open now and will remain open until all funds are allocated.

Distribution of CARES/CRRSAA Funds (3/31/21)

Supplemental Covid relief grants from the U.S. Department of Education made possible by Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) are now available to Oxy financial aid recipients affected by the pandemic. The CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need. Because of the continuing uncertainty about the future of the pandemic, we plan to distribute approximately 50% of the available funds immediately and 50% in Fall 2021.

Occidental received $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CARES Act and is eligible to receive another $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSSA Act.

During the Spring 2020 semester Occidental distributed $500,767 of CARES funds to 362 Pell recipients and $180,174 to 169 non-Pell recipients, for a total distribution of $680,941.

During the Spring 2021 semester the balance of CARES student grant funds of $56,396 was distributed and $350,581 of the CRRSAA student grant funds was distributed as of March 31, 2021. $324,000 was distributed to 324 Pell recipients and $82,977 was distributed to 125 non-Pell recipients. The balance of CRRSAA funds available is $386,756.

As was the case with CARES grants last spring, CRRSAA grants will be distributed in two ways:

• All of Oxy’s high-need Pell recipients automatically received an $1,000 credit to their student account on Monday, March 15. Students received an email that same afternoon from Student Business Services with details about how we would refund their grant on March 19.
• All other financial aid recipients can apply for a grant of up to $750 each that can be used for any part of their cost of attendance or to meet pandemic-related emergency costs as defined by the CRRSAA, including the cost of tuition, food, housing, health care, mental health care, child care, and technology. Students who received the automatic $1,000 credit are not eligible to apply for additional funding. The application is open now and will remain open until all funds are allocated.

Distribution of CARES Act Funds (8/3/20)

As a signatory to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students provision of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Occidental College pledged 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.

Occidental received $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. During the Spring 2020 semester, there were 1,330 Occidental 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. As of June 30, 2020, Occidental distributed $500,767 to 362 Pell recipients and $180,174 to 169 non-Pell recipients, for a total distribution of $680,941.

The College is developing a plan to disburse the balance of $56,396 during the Spring 2021 semester.

Occidental used the following methods to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive:

• All of Occidental’s high-need Pell recipients automatically received an $800 credit to their student account no later than May 8, 2020. This amount was based on the national averages for food costs of $345 per month and for wireless Internet service of $55 per month, times two months. Occidental used national averages to calculate this credit as differentiating the cost for students living in different states would unduly slow down the process of getting support where it was needed.
• All other CARES Student Emergency Grants were based on student applications with a maximum total grant amount of $1,500 (including the automatic $800 grant to high-need Pell recipients). The College provided grants for eligible expenses based on the U.S. Department of Education requirements, including food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. Students were not required to provide documentation for their expenses.

Original Announcement (5/12/20)

Occidental College has signed and submitted the Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Occidental 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. Occidental expects to receive $737,337 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

For the 2019-20 academic year there are 1,387 Occidental 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. As of May 13, 2020, Occidental has distributed $285,600 to 357 of its high-need Pell recipients.

Occidental used the following methods to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive:

• All of Occidental’s high-need Pell recipients automatically received an $800 credit to their student account no later than Friday, May 8. This amount is based on the national averages for food costs of $345 per month and for wireless Internet service of $55 per month, times two months. Occidental used national averages to calculate this credit as differentiating the cost for students living in different states would unduly slow down the process of getting support where it is needed.

• All Occidental students, including high-need Pell recipients receiving an automatic $800 credit and graduating seniors, can apply for up to $1,500 in emergency funds for expenses related to the disruption of the spring semester by the pandemic. According to the U.S. Department of Education, which has oversight of the distribution of CARES funds to colleges and universities, eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. Students were not required to provide documentation for their expenses. The maximum grant that any one student can receive is $1,500--a limit imposed so that Occidental can support as many students as possible. (For need-based Pell recipients receiving an automatic $800 credit, this means that the maximum additional grant they can receive through the application process will be $700.)

Here are the complete instructions provided to students regarding CARES funding:

In order to alleviate some hardship and provide additional financial support to Oxy students affected by COVID-19, the College has created a Student Emergency Fund using funds from the federal CARES Act as well as generous private gifts from alumni and parents. (The addition of private gifts to the Fund makes it possible for Oxy to provide support to students who are not federally eligible for CARES grants.)

Grants will be distributed in two ways:

• All of Oxy’s high-need Pell recipients will automatically receive an $800 credit to their student account no later than Friday, May 8. This amount is based on the national averages for food costs of $345 per month and for wireless Internet service of $55 per month, times two months. We used national averages to calculate this credit as differentiating the cost for students living in different states would unduly slow down the process of getting support where it is needed.

• All Oxy students, including high-need Pell recipients receiving an automatic $800 credit and graduating seniors, can apply for up to $1,500 in emergency funds for expenses related to the disruption of the spring semester by the pandemic. (This is not the same as a change in a student's financial need due to COVID-19, which could be a result of a loss of income rather than new expenses. CARES Act funding covers expenses only.) The U.S. Department of Education, which has oversight of the distribution of CARES funds to colleges and universities, says eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. You do not have to provide documentation for your expenses. The maximum grant that any one student can receive is $1,500--a limit imposed so we can support as many students as possible. (For need-based Pell recipients receiving an automatic $800 credit, this means that the maximum additional grant they can receive through the application process will be $700.)

Because funding is limited (Oxy’s student CARES allocation totals $737,337), some students may not receive the full amount requested. Priority will be given to applications received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13. All applications will be reviewed by a team representing the Business Office, Dean of Students, and the Financial Aid Office and grants will be awarded based on the amount of each request, the student’s level of need, and the funds available. All grant recipients will be notified no later than Wednesday, May 20, and grants will be distributed shortly thereafter as a credit to your student account. If any grant funds remain after grants are made to those who applied by May 13, a second round of grants will be made to students whose applications are received by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20.

Since CARES funds are intended for your immediate use, you cannot leave them in your student account and the funds cannot be applied to any outstanding balances on your account. For those students with an active eRefund account, Student Business Services will automatically refund your grant to your bank account. If you do not have an active eRefund account, you will need to create it so that we can refund your grant to your bank account.

We urge students who have experienced unanticipated expenses as a result of the pandemic to submit an application, which is simple and easy to fill out. If you have questions, please contact covidgrants@oxy.edu.