CARES Act (HEERF I), CRRSAA (HEERF II) and ARP (HEERF III) Funding at GIA

As GIA continues to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19, we stand ready to support students overcome any interruption this pandemic has had on their lives. GIA is here to support you during this challenging time and has support funds available for students impacted by COVID-19.

View the GIA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reports:

Student Portion

• Third Quarter (July-Sept 2021)
• Second Quarter (Apr-June 2021)
• First Quarter (Jan-Mar 2021)

Institutional Portion

• Third Quarter (July-Sept 2021)
• Second Quarter (Apr-June 2021)
• First Quarter (Jan-Mar 2021)

ARP/HEERF III

UPDATE regarding the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) / Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III):

On 11 March 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Pub.L. 117-2). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for and respond to coronavirus. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260) and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II and HEERF III, respectively.

HEERF III is structured like the HEERF II programmes under the CRRSAA; the statutory requirement of the ARP (a)(1) programme states that funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare). Any remaining HEERF II funds as of 14 May may be awarded to refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers and similar undocumented students (including non-US residents) as HEERF student grants.  Based on the methodology for calculating allocations per Section 18004(a) (1) of the ARP, GIA is eligible for a total of $457,257. Of this amount, $228,629 must be allocated directly to eligible students.
 
The ARP has two new required uses of HEERF III Institutional Portion grant funds for public and private non-profit institutions in which, if the Institutional Portion is not used entirely for emergency financial grants to students, a portion must be used to: (a) implement evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus in accordance with public health guidelines; and (b) conduct direct outreach to financial aid applicants about the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances, described in section 479A of the HEA. 
 
Group One: Students who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); the verification process is complete and aid has been calculated; and who are enrolled in one of the Title IV approved programmes described above. Award amounts are based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA. For this group of students, the total amount of HEERF III cannot exceed $5,629 compared to the total 2021-2022 Pell Grant maximum.
 
Group Two: Students who have not filed a FAFSA and are enrolled in one of the Title IV approved programmes described above and who are eligible to file a FAFSA (including refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers and similar undocumented students (including non-US residents)).
 
Group Three: Students who are enrolled in one of the Non-Title IV programmes, described above (including refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers and similar undocumented students (including non-US residents)).
 
Group Four: Students who have demonstrated a need for additional support beyond the award for Group One, Two or Three. The need must be for expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care or other hardships as a result of this crisis. These students can apply for an additional emergency HEERF III grant by submitting a written application describing how the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 has created unexpected costs associated with their enrolment. GIA will allocate funds based on the student’s stated needs and documented expenses until the funding is exhausted. This group of students cannot exceed the total HEERF $5,629 compared to the total 2021-2022 Pell Grant maximum.

Download Emergency Assistance Application

GIA will award students emergency grant funds from HEERF III as follows:

CRRSAA/HEERF II

UPDATE regarding the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSAA)/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II):

On 14 January, the Department of Education announced additional funds available to higher education institutions to serve students and ensure learning continues during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Funding is allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

The statutory requirement of the HEERF programme states that funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare). Based on methodology for calculating allocations per Section 18004(a) (1) of the CRRSAA, GIA is eligible for a total of $251,997. Of this amount, $88,071 must be allocated directly to eligible students.

Qualified students must have started instruction in the GIA US on-campus Graduate Gemologist (GG), Graduate Jeweler (GJ), or Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT) programmes, and have been an active student on 16/03/2020 (Carlsbad campus) or 12/03/2020 (New York campus). Within those three programmes, GIA established three groups of students who qualify for the grant, following the US Department of Education guidance.

Group One: Students meeting the qualifications described above who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The verification process must be complete and aid already calculated. Award amounts are based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA.

Group Two: Students meeting the qualifications described above who are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not done so. These students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to file a FAFSA: are a US citizen or eligible non-citizen; have a valid Social Security number; have registered with the US Selective Service if the student is male; have a high school diploma or GED, or have completed secondary education in an approved home school setting.

Group Three: Students who are enrolled in one of the programmes, including both Title IV or Non-Title IV programmes described above and/or have demonstrated a need for additional support beyond the award for Group One or Two. The need must be for expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care or other hardships as a result of this crisis. These students can apply for an additional emergency HEERF II grant by submitting a written application describing how the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 has created unexpected costs associated with their enrolment. GIA will allocate funds based on the student's stated needs and documented expenses until the funding is exhausted. $2,000 maximum.

How will qualifying students be notified and receive funds?

Students will be notified via a secure email. Students must then complete the 'Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund' certification form and return it to GIA. A cheque will be sent to the student within 30 days or applied to their tuition account with the student’s consent.

Are there limitations on how students can spend the money?

As outlined by the US Department of Education, students must use the funds for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare expenses.

How is the CARES Act funding different from CRRSAA funding?

Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritise students with 'exceptional need', such as but not limited to students who receive Pell Grants.

I received funds from the CARES Act. Will I receive CRRSAA (HEERF II) funds?

If you have signed the enrolment agreement; have started instruction in, or are currently active or have approved Leave of Absence from one of the GIA US-based on campus Title IV approved programmes, i.e. Graduate Gemologist (GG), Graduate Jeweler (GJ) or Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT), you will be eligible to receive HEERF II funds. Per CRRSAA guidance, GIA will prioritise students with 'exceptional need'. Those students with an eligible EFC (EFC = expected family contribution as determined on your official FAFSA) are eligible for the Group 1 HEERF II grant.

CARES/HEERF I

What is the Federal Cares Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into US federal law on 27 March 2020. The Act provides financial compensation and support to multiple layers of the US economy, including educational institutions.

How much did GIA receive in CARES Act Grant Funding?

The CARES Act allocated nearly $14 billion to support US post-secondary educational institutions, and the US Department of Education applied a complex formula to determine the amount awarded to each institution. GIA received a grant of $176,142, at least 50% of which must be used to provide emergency cash grants to qualified students who have demonstrated financial need and experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which students are eligible to receive a grant?

Following the passage of the CARES Act, GIA organised a task force consisting of representatives from departments across the institute to review the legislation and guidance from the US Department of Education to make recommendations for the allocation and delivery of the funds to students. GIA’s senior leadership team approved the final recommendations.

Qualified students must have started instruction in the GIA US on-campus Graduate Gemologist (GG), Graduate Jeweler (GJ), or Jewelry Design & Technology (JDT) programmes, and have been an active student on 16/03/2020 (Carlsbad campus) or 12/03/2020 (New York campus). Within those three programmes, GIA has established two groups of students who qualify for the grant, following the US Department of Education guidance.

Group One: Students meeting the qualifications described above who have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The verification process must be complete and aid already calculated. Award amounts are based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA.

Group Two: Students meeting the qualifications described above who are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not done so. These students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible to file a FAFSA: are a US citizen or eligible non-citizen; have a valid Social Security number; have registered with the US Selective Service if the student is male; have a high school diploma or GED, or have completed secondary education in an approved home school setting.

How will qualifying students be notified and receive funds?

Students will be notified via a secure email. Students must then complete the 'Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund' certification form and return it to GIA. A cheque will be sent to the student within 30 days.

Are there limitations on how students can spend the money?

As outlined by the US Department of Education, students must use the funds for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and childcare expenses.