CARES Act Reporting

Introduction

Landmark College is required to provide regular reporting to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) on the use of funds authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Funds received by Landmark College under the CARES Act were authorized by Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020. The information noted below is intended to not only meet the reporting requirements of the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP but also provide information to our college community regarding Landmark College’s use of the student grant portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and section 314(e) of CRRSAA directs institutions receiving funds under these acts to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the HEERF. While ARP does not explicitly identify procedures by which institutions submit a report to the Secretary, the Department of Education exercises this reporting authority under 2 CFR 200.328 and 2 CFR 200.329.

Each legislation (CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP) requires institutions to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for 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). On April 9, 2020, the ED published documents related to the Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including a letter from Secretary Betsy DeVos, a form Certification and Agreement for signing and returning by institutions to access the funds, and a list of institutional allocations. As subsequent legislation was passed (CRRSAA, and ARP) allocations and reporting requirements were updated.

Each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. The following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated quarterly thereafter.

Acknowledgement of Funding and Certification

Landmark College acknowledges that the institution’s authorized representative signed and returned to the Department of Education (Department) the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement to Students under the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP. Landmark College gives its assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and CRRSAA to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. A specific amount for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students was granted under ARP.

Total Award

Landmark College has been awarded a total of $1,554,242 under the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP. The US Department of Education issued Award No. P425E200573 for a total amount of $553,294 which will be provided directly to students impacted by campus disruptions due to coronavirus.

Award Information

Number: P425E200573

Title: Education Stabilization Fund: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

Budget Period: 04/28/2020 – 5/14/2022

Award Amount: $553,294

CFDA: 84.425E

Funds Distributed to Date

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on June 29, 2020, is $3,500.00.

UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on August 27, 2020, is $89,150.

10/9/20 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on September 30, 2020, is $93,400.

12/31/20 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on December 31, 2020, is $105,293.

3/31/21 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on March 31, 2021, is $105,429.

6/30/21 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on June 30, 2021, is $154,929.

9/30/21 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on September 30,2021, is $304,929.

12/31/21 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on December 31,2021, is $517,454.

3/31/22 UPDATE: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP from the date of submission, April 13, 2020, through the close of business on March 31, 2022, is $553,294. As of this date all HEERF funds granted to Landmark College for distribution to students have been awarded to students.

Student Eligibility

The estimated total number of Landmark College 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, CRRSAA, and ARP is 743.

Total Student Awards Made

The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28,2020, through the close of business on June 29, 2020 is 6.

UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28, 2020, through the close of business on August 27, 2020 is 159.

10/9/20 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28, 2020, through the close of business on September 30, 2020 is 163.

12/31/20 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28, 2020, through the close of business on December 31, 2020 is 181.

3/31/21 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28, 2020, through the close of business on March 31, 2021 is 181.

6/30/21 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28, 2020, through the close of business on June 30, 2021, is 196.

9/30/21 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28,2020, through the close of business on September 30,2021 is 323.

12/21/21 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28,2020, through the close of business on December 31,2021 is 329.

3/31/22 UPDATE: The total number of Landmark College students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from April 28,2020, through the close of business on March 31, 2022 is 355.

Methods Used to Determine Which Students Received Aid and How Much

In accordance with the Secretary of Education’s instructions for institutions to issue aid to students as soon as possible under the student aid portion of the CARES Act, Landmark College posted notice of the CARES Act, along with the Application Form, on the Landmark College’s Financial Aid webpage on June 3, 2020 and emailed students receiving automatic awards on June 3, 2020. The application was also posted on June 3, 2020.

Based on student’s FASFA, automatic awards were made. Students who had an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 – $40,000 as determined on their FAFSA were automatically awarded funds based on the tiers below.

EFC of $0 – $20,000

$650 award

111 students

EFC of $20,001 – $30,000

$450 award

25 students

EFC of $30,001 – $40,000

$250 award

23 students

Students were notified by email of these awards on June 3, 2020.

Students with EFCs of greater than $40,000 can apply for up to $250.

Students who received an automatic award also may apply for an additional $250 award provided they can document costs that exceed the total amount they may be awarded.

Funds will be awarded on a first come basis until all funds have been distributed.

Applications will be received by Landmark College’s Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by the CARES Act Student Distribution Review Committee. Criteria to be considered for approval are:

  • clearly demonstrated expenses related to COVID-19;
  • student meets all eligibility requirements under HEERF (see Appendix 1); and
  • the amount, if any, of other emergency funding the student has received.

Students will be notified via their Landmark email address of approval or denial no later than 3 weeks from the date of their application.

6/30/21 UPDATE: For the initial distribution of funds under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Pell grant students at Landmark College enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester were awarded a $750 grant.

9/30/21 UPDATE: For the initial distribution of funds under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Pell grant and Pell-grant eligible students at Landmark College enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester were awarded a $2,500 grant.

12/31/21 UPDATE: Subsequent distribution of awards to students were made according to each student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). All students with an EFC of $5,846 or less received or will receive a minimum $2,500 award. Students with an EFC of $70,000 or more will not receive an award. Students with an EFC between $5,846 and $70,000 received or will receive an award between $1,425 and $975 based on their EFC.

All eligible students enrolled at Landmark College during the 2021-22 academic year have or will receive one award according to their EFC. Students may apply, and are encouraged to apply, for additional funds if they can demonstrate COVID related expenses beyond their initial award. Faculty and staff are aware of the availability of funds and encouraged to work with students to apply for additional funding if they know of a student in need.

Requests are reviewed and approved by the Director for Financial Aid; Vice-President of Enrollment; Vice-President of Student Affairs and Dean of Campus Life; Chief Financial Officer; Controller; and Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs. Other faculty and staff may be consulted on a case-by-case basis.

Reporting for Section (a)(1) Institutional Portion and Section (a)(3) FIPSE

March 23, 2023 Revised Quarterly Reports Posted

Landmark College received its first HEERF award on May 5, 2020. However, the funds could be used for any eligible COVID related expense back to the date of the COVID-19 national emergency declaration on March 13, 2020. Landmark tracked all COVID related expenses that may be reimbursable under HEERF, but in order to maximize the use of available COVID funding from all sources, Landmark did not charge all identified expenses to HEERF.

HEERF must be fully expended by June 30, 2023. As that deadline approaches, Landmark has chosen to use some of the remaining HEERF to reimburse Landmark for some of the early COVID related costs that have not been reimbursed by any available funding. This requires revising already posted quarterly reports to include the back expenses in the quarter in which they occurred. Per USDOE guidance, revised quarterly reports are posted alongside the originally posted quarterly reports.

Links to Landmark College’s CARES ACT Documents

The Landmark College CARES Act Emergency Funds for Students webpage includes a link to the CARES Act Emergency Funds Application and a list of FAQs. This information was emailed to all students, faculty, and staff on June 29, 2020. Copies of the informational materials provided to students include the following, which are linked to this report in the order listed:

If you are a student at Landmark College and experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Michal Mertes at MichaelMertes@Landmark.edu.

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