CARES Act and CRRSAA Funding at Pepperdine
As the University continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19, we stand ready to support students overcome any interruption this pandemic has had on their lives. Pepperdine is here to support you during this challenging time and has support funds available for students impacted by COVID-19. Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance.
UPDATE regarding the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021 (CRRSAA)/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II):
On January 14, 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). We are awaiting guidance from the Department of Education concerning this recent stimulus package. Once available, details will be communicated to the Pepperdine community via your Pepperdine email address as well as on this website. Please check back often for information.
View the latest CARES Act report
Frequently Asked Questions - CRRSAA Funds
Last Updated: March 3, 2021
Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with "exceptional need," such as students who receive Pell Grants, however not limited to Pell grant recipients in awarding financial aid grants to students. In addition, the CRRSAA explicitly provides that financial aid grants to students may be provided to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.
If you are identified as an enrolled, degree-seeking student for Spring 2021, you will be eligible to receive CRRSAA funds. Per CRRSAA guidance, Pepperdine will prioritize students with "exceptional need." Only those students with an eligible EFC (EFC = expected family contribution as determined on your official FAFSA) are eligible for an automatic CRRSAA grant. Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance.
No, the IRS has determined that CRRSAA emergency grants are not taxable and are not reported on the US tax return. Please refer to the IRS website for the latest tax related updates.
If you are identified as an enrolled, degree-seeking student for Spring 2021, with an eligible EFC (EFC = expected family contribution as determined on your official FAFSA), you will be eligible to receive a CRRSAA grant. In addition, students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance.
| Eligible 2020-2021 EFC | Undergraduate (FT, TT, HT) CRRSAA Amount | Undergraduate (LT) CRRSAA Amount | Graduate (FT, HT) CRRSAA Amount | Graduate (LT) CRRSAA Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$2,500 | $825 |
$450 |
$400 | $200 |
| $2,501-$5,000 | $700 | $375 | $325 | $175 |
| $5,001-$7,500 | $650 | $325 | $300 | $150 |
| $7,501-$10,000 | $525 | $300 | $225 | $125 |
| $10,001-$25,000 | $300 | $225 | - | - |
*Students who received an "unmet need" disbursement in February 2021 are not eligible for this automatic disbursement.
FT = Full Time
TT = Three Quarter Time
HT = Half Time
LT = Less than Half Time
PT = Part Time
Yes, if you are identified as an enrolled, degree-seeking student for Spring 2021, you will be eligible to receive CRRSAA funds.
No. Like the CARES Act Fund, CRRSAA funds are not available to international students. The Pepperdine Strong Fund is ready to assist international students who are experiencing financial distress due to unforeseen circumstances. Please reach out to the Student Care Team to complete the process for requesting assistance.
Because CRRSAA prioritizes students with "exceptional need", eligible students were identified by reviewing students' Expected Family Contributions (EFC as determined on your official FAFSA). CRRSAA emergency grant amounts were determined by the student's EFC according to the table below:
| Eligible 2020-2021 EFC | Undergraduate (FT, TT, HT) CRRSAA Amount | Undergraduate (LT) CRRSAA Amount | Graduate (FT, HT) CRRSAA Amount | Graduate (LT) CRRSAA Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0-$2,500 | $825 | $450 | $400 | $200 |
| $2,501-$5,000 | $700 | $375 | $325 | $175 |
| $5,001-$7,500 | $650 | $325 | $300 | $150 |
| $7,501-$10,000 | $525 | $300 | $225 | $125 |
| $10,001-$25,000 | $300 | $225 | - | - |
*Students who received an "unmet need" disbursement in February 2021 are not eligible for this automatic disbursement.
FT = Full Time
TT = Three Quarter Time
HT = Half Time
LT = Less than Half Time
PT = Part Time
The school received your federally calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from your completed 2020-21 FAFSA. Your EFC is an index number used to determine your eligibility for federal student financial aid. This number results from the financial information you provide in your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. It's reported to you on your Student Aid Report (SAR). To view your SAR please log-in to Studentaid.gov and select, View your Student Aid Report. The EFC is calculated according to a formula established by law. You and/or your family's taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) all could be considered in the formula. Also considered are your family size and the number of family members who will attend college or career school during the year. The EFC Formula guide shows exactly how an EFC is calculated.
Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance. We will continue to respond to requests based on individual needs.
If eligible for a CRRSAA emergency grant, the funds will be disbursed to you via a digital disbursement process, with all communication routed through your Pepperdine email. Specifically, you will receive a notification email informing you that Pepperdine University has paid you. Within the email, the recipient will need to accept the payment and direct it to the account of their choosing. Although this disbursement will come from Chase, the funds can be received by the financial institution of your choosing, to any of your bank accounts. Once the funds have been electronically accepted, funds will be available in the recipient's preferred bank account in 2-3 business days. You will have 30 days to accept the payment. If funds are not accepted within 30 days, the funds will go back into Pepperdine's CRRSAA fund for future distributions.
No, these are student emergency grant funds.
No, there is no penalty for accepting these emergency grant funds.
No. CRRSAA emergency grants for students may be used for any component of the student's cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
Students are not required to apply the grant to their account balances.
Per CRRSAA guidance, Pepperdine will prioritize students with "exceptional need." Only those students with an eligible EFC (EFC = expected family contribution as determined on your official FAFSA) are eligible for an automatic CRRSAA grant. Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance.
Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance. We will continue to respond to requests based on individual needs.
Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance. We will continue to respond to requests based on individual needs.
A student would need to request funds before the end of the spring/winter 2021 term (varies by school).
At this time, we do not know what, if any, additional grant funding may be made available through the Department of Education. Pepperdine will communicate information as it becomes available. Students experiencing immediate financial difficulties should contact the Student Care Team for assistance.
Disclaimer: This information is subject to change due to the evolving regulations.
Please continue to check this site frequently for up to date information.