Report Date
July 16, 2020
Acknowledgment
Michigan Technological University acknowledges that the Certification and Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds were signed and submitted to the Department of Education on April 24, 2020. Michigan Tech will ensure that at least 50% of the provided funds will be made available as emergency financial aid grants directly to students.
Total Amount of Funds Received
The total amount of funds received by Michigan Technological University is $4,605,779. Michigan Tech will ensure that $2,302,889.50 will be distributed directly to students as emergency financial aid grants.
Total Amount of HEERF Funding Distributed to Students
Total Amount of emergency financial aid grants distributed to students as of the date of this report is $1,511,919.25.
Estimated Total Number of Students Eligible to Receive HEERF Funding
The estimated number of Michigan Technological University students eligible to receive HEERF funding is 5,834. (This is the estimated number of MTU students that are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.)
Total Number of Students Who Have Received Grants
As of this report date, the number of students who have received these grants is 4,156. Michigan Tech continues to carefully balance the guidance and eligibility requirements from the Department of Education with the urgent needs of students. The process (described below) for distributing funds was released during the week of May 25, 2020, and was shared with eligible students via Michigan Tech email.
Determination of Eligible Students and Amount of Award
After careful consideration and review of federal guidance and the challenges that Michigan Tech students have faced as a result of the disruption of campus operations, eligible students will receive a one-time emergency grant of $350. This grant is meant to recognize and provide relief for the unexpected disruptions our students are experiencing as well as the technology needs and expenses many have incurred with the shift to remote learning. In addition to federal guidance that emphasizes these grants be allocated only to students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, each college/university was tasked with creating their own eligibility requirements. For the $350 emergency grant described above, to be eligible, a Michigan Tech student must:
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
- Have been an active, enrolled student for the spring 2020 and/or summer 2020 semester(s). Incoming first-year students who are beginning their enrollment in the summer semester of 2020 are not eligible at this time.
- Be registered for courses for the fall 2020 semester.
Per federal requirements, international students and those identifying as DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) are not eligible to be considered for this emergency funding.
The grant described above, which utilizes most of Michigan Tech's HEERF student grant allocation, allows the majority of continuing Michigan Tech students to receive financial support. In addition, a limited amount of funding from the HEERF allocation will be utilized to support the existing emergency funding processes through Michigan Tech as well as the special circumstances review committee through the Financial Aid Office. While the HEERF funding directed to these channels is limited, any grants made to students under these programs will require the same eligibility requirements to be met as described above. These programs are intended to address exceptional student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19.
Instructions and Guidance to Students
During the week of May 25, 2020, notice was shared with eligible students via email regarding the process for the distribution of the HEERF grants. Eligible students are asked to set up and utilize direct deposit to allow the payment to be sent to them quickly and securely. Where direct deposit is not possible, checks will be issued to students.