The New School has received federal funding from the Higher Education Economic Relief Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the sections below to learn more about how these funds have
been used to support students.
Spring 2021 (HEERF II - CRRSAA)
The New School received $8 million in funding from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II), of which $2.5 million was used this spring to directly support students who have faced significant financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
To help determine the distribution of the HEERF II funds the university convened an advisory group of staff representatives from Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Student Advocacy, Student Success, and the Provost's Office. Four students participated in the advisory group, including members of the University Student Senate, Black Student Union, Diverse Abilities Coalition and a student representing Student Advocacy.
The advisory group recommended that of the total amount allocated to students, $2 million be distributed through direct grants and $500,000 be added to the university’s Student Emergency Assistance Program to address urgent needs.
The advisory group prioritized one-time grants for students nearing the end of their degree programs who experienced the greatest interruption over the past year. Eligible students received the $1,200 grants directly and Pell Grant recipients received an additional $800 for a maximum of $2,000 in funding.
1. Students were eligible based on two levels of requirements:
- Current seniors who have applied to graduate in May 2021
- Current juniors who have completed 80+ credits as of May 2021
- Current second-year graduate students
2. In addition, students had to meet all of the criteria below:
- Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Have a completed, verified FAFSA form on file for Financial Aid
- Meet an EFC (Expected Family Contribution) below $15,000
Spring 2020-Fall 2020 (HEERF I - CARES Act)
In spring 2020, The New School received $2.498 million in the CARES Act for student aid and an equal amount in the CARES Act for institutional aid, for a total of $4.996 million. The university provided the required certification to the Department of Education acknowledging that it 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. According to federal guidelines, 6,304 of New School students were eligible for CARES Act awards, and as of October 10, 2020, 1,611 students have received an emergency financial aid grant from CARES Act funds, totaling $2.334 million in CARES Act funding distributed to students.
Eligible New School students were awarded grants according to self-identified need up to the maximum amount of $2,000 per student. The funds provided assistance to students facing unanticipated financial challenges related to housing, food, health care, course material, technology, and/or child care expenses.
To reinforce The New School’s commitment to all students, the university allocated $1 million in university funds to support students who did not meet federal criteria for CARES Act funds. These awards were capped at $750 per student to serve the greatest number of students possible.
In fall 2020, The Student Emergency Fund combined remaining federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding from the spring; Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation funding; and Student Senate funding totaling over $300,000. Students were able to apply for one-time assistance of up to $1,000 to cover expenses related to housing, food, healthcare, course materials, technology, and/or childcare. These funds were exhausted by March 31, 2021.
Quarterly Reporting on HEERF I and II
As of March 31, 2021 (as reported by April 10, 2021), The New School has received a total of $4,996,686 for student funds and allocated $2,506,403 for emergency financial aid grants to students, with the remainder available to be spent. In addition, The New School has received a total of $7,998,165 for institutional funds, of which $2,498,343 was used to cover room and board refunds to students, since the university could not provide housing for spring 2020. The balance of the institutional funds was used in April 2021 to cover spring 2020 refunds; this will be reflected in the next quarterly report. Review the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter that ended on March 31, 2021.