View Rasmussen University's Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reports:
December 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
June 30, 2021
June 4, 2021

About the CRRSAA and Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II)

What is the CRRSAA and how does it relate to Rasmussen University?

The ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to create enormous challenges for colleges and universities and their students throughout the country. In response to this ongoing crisis, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) provides an additional $22.7 billion for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, which the Department of Education (DOE) is referring to as HEERF II. 

As a result of the CRRSAA signed into law on December 27, 2020, funding has been made available to institutions for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students 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 childcare. The CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students.

Of this amount, over $680 million is available as new formula grants for proprietary institutions of higher education, like Rasmussen University, to provide financial aid grants to students.

How did the Department of Education determine how much each institution will receive from the HEERF II?

Of the funds available for HEERF II, 3% will be awarded to proprietary institutions of higher education (IHEs), as defined in section 102(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), based on three formula factors: (1) 75% of the funds will be awarded to IHEs based on each IHE’s relative share of enrollment of Federal Pell Grant recipients who were not enrolled exclusively in distance education courses prior to the coronavirus emergency, split evenly between total (i.e., headcount) enrollment and full time equivalent (FTE) enrollment; (2) 23% of the funds will be awarded to IHEs based on each IHE’s relative share of enrollment of students who were not Federal Pell Grant recipients and who were not enrolled exclusively in distance education courses prior to the coronavirus emergency, split evenly between total enrollment and FTE enrollment; and (3) 2% of the funds will be awarded to IHEs based on each IHE’s relative share of enrollment of Federal Pell Grant recipients who were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses prior to the coronavirus emergency, split evenly between total enrollment and FTE enrollment.

How much of the HEERF II is allocated to Rasmussen University?

Based on the above-referenced calculation, the amount from the HEERF II allocated for Rasmussen University is $8,547,754. The University will allocate all funds to students in the form of Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

How does Rasmussen University intend to allocate the HEERF II?

The University will allocate all funds to students, who may use the funds 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 childcare. Rasmussen University will not offer the students an option to choose to have the emergency grant funds applied to an outstanding balance with the University and will disburse the funds directly to the student.

The CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be Pell Grant recipients or students who are eligible for Pell Grants to be identified as having exceptional need.

Rasmussen University’s Student Emergency Financial Aid Grant Policy and Process

Who is eligible to receive a CRRSAA Emergency Financial Aid Grant?

To be eligible to receive these funds, you must:

1. have incurred expenses for any component of your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare; and
2. have filed a 2020-21 FAFSA resulting in a valid EFC (Expected Family Contribution), that is clear of any issues identified on the FAFSA regarding citizenship or residency, by March 23, 2021 (if you are currently receiving federal financial aid, including grants or loans, you have met this requirement); and
3. be actively enrolled and received an acceptance letter to the University in a Title IV eligible academic program (February 2021 starts and re-enters and students enrolled in the Doctor of Nursing Practitioner (DNP) program or utilizing the Professional Achievement Grant (PAG) are excluded and not eligible); and
4. complete and electronically submit the CRRSAA EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANT STUDENT ATTESTATION FORM, if required. Students with a zero EFC are not required to submit an attestation. A link to this form will be emailed to you once your eligibility has been confirmed by the University based on the above criteria.

Only students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive an email with additional information regarding the emergency financial aid grant.

How much money will a student receive if eligible for an emergency aid grant?

Grant amounts will be determined at the time of distribution in early April 2021. Unlike the CARES Act in March 2020, distributed amounts for the CRRSAA grant are dependent on the number of students in need.

What can an Emergency Aid Grant be used for?

Any emergency financial aid grant funds that you may receive may only be used to pay for any component of your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare as described above. You may choose to use the grant funds to pay an outstanding tuition balance to the University. Submission of the Attestation Form does not guarantee receipt of a grant or any specific amount of funds. If you have any questions, please visit https://www.rasmussen.edu/coronavirus/ for additional information.

How and when will an emergency aid grant be delivered?

Students are currently limited to one grant. Grant funds will be disbursed beginning the first week in April. Rasmussen University partners with BankMobile to disburse financial aid and other school refunds to students. Additional information is available in your Student Portal, Resources>Business Office>BankMobile and this FAQ. If you have not previously made a selection with BankMobile, a paper check will be delivered.