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.
Fall 2021 (HEERF III—American Rescue Plan)
As part of HEERF III-ARP, The New School received 14.2 million dollars—$7,191,689 million of which supports students and $7,169,430 million was designated for institutional support. A university advisory group comprised of students from the Student Senate and personnel from financial aid, student accounts, student advocacy, admissions, finance, and the provost offices convened to determine criteria and priorities for the distribution of the student funds, in the sum of $3,000 per eligible student. These $3,000 grants went to students who demonstrated financial hardship over the past year using the following criteria:
Undergraduate U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with verified, completed FAFSAs with Expected Family Contribution (EFC) below $20,000, on file with the Office of Financial Aid by October 1, 2021.
International students who were denied pandemic-related financial aid appeals prior to October 1, 2021.
Graduate students who were not recipients of HEERF II student funds and whose financial aid appeals with demonstrated need were denied prior to October 1, 2021
In total, $6,036,000 was disbursed to students. The remaining HEERF III student funding will be used in Spring 2022 for additional student grants.
The $7,169,430 million designated for institutional support from HEERF III was intended to assist the university in covering expenses related to lost revenues associated with the pandemic. $5,361,236 million of that total amount was used to erase tuition and fee balances for degree-seeking students from Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 semesters. The remaining $1,808,194 million was used to defray the significant costs associated with the safe reopening of campus for the Fall 2021 semester. These costs exceeded available federal funds and include, but are not limited to, COVID-19 testing, HVAC (ventilation) upgrades, personal protective equipment, and the delivery of virtual education.
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, II, and III
As of December 31, 2021 (as reported by January 10, 2022), The New School was awarded a total of $12,188,375 for student emergency funds. This includes CARES ACT (HEERF I) student funds ($2,498,343), HEERF II student funds ($2,498,343) and HEERF III student funds ($7,191,689). As of December 31, 2021, $10,591,598 has been distributed to students for emergency financial aid grants to students.
In addition, The New School has received a total of $15,167,595 for institutional funds as of December 31, 2021. This includes CARES ACT (HEERF I) institutional funds ($2,498,343). HEERF II institutional funds ($5,499,822), and HEERF III institutional Funds ($7,169,430). As of December 31, 2021, $15,167,595 has been used to cover room and board refunds to students ($7,998,165), write off student account balances ($5,361,236) and reimburse the university for lost revenues due to the pandemic ($1,808,194). Review the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for the quarter that ended on December 31, 2021.