Drexel University was awarded $6,589,634 from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act to assist students with expenses related to disruptions of their educations due to the COVID-19 outbreak, such as unanticipated travel, additional technology requirements, or other needs related to an emergency situation.
Each institution receiving CRRSA Act funds is directed to comply with Federal regulations and submit reports outlining the distribution of these funds. At this time, Drexel University has begun distributing funds to students, prioritizing the distribution of funds to students who demonstrate excessive financial need in accordance with the Department of Education's guidance. This site will be updated appropriately as guidance is received and funds are distributed.
The Department of Education (DOE) issued guidance does not specifically address or clarify the eligibility of international and DACA students. The University is monitoring for any changes to these guidelines and regulations that address these students. If there is additional information released regarding eligibility, the University will notify students via their Drexel email. In the meant time, international students can apply for support through Drexel's Student Emergency Fund.
I am an online student. Am I eligible to receive the CRRSA Act Grant?Yes, you may be eligible for funding. The federal government has expanded the eligibility for CRRSA Act funding to include remote and online learners.
Are students guaranteed to receive funding upon submitting an application?No. Both the CRRSA Act funding and institutional funding are limited.
What if a student owes Drexel University money?Federal emergency grants will NOT pay any existing charges owed to the University. Students may, however, use these funds to pay for any expenses related to their cost of attendance, including but not limited to tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.
Are CRRSA Act funds available to incoming students that are beginning in fall 2021?No. You must have been enrolled as student at Drexel University at the time of the distribution of CRRSA Act funds.
Can I receive multiple grants from the CRRSA Act funding?No. Funding is limited to one grant per eligible student.
I am on co-op during the spring term. Am I eligible to receive CRRSA Act Funding?Yes, students are still considered full-time, enrolled students while on co-op, so they are welcome to apply for CRRSA Act funding.
How do I apply for CRRSA Act funding?Information about applying for these funds will be emailed to eligible students when funding becomes available. If you previously received funds from the CARES Act and are eligible for funds from the CRRSA Act, you do not need to reapply for this funding. Funds will be directly deposited in to the account on record with Drexel Central.
If you did not previously receive CARES Act funding, you will need to confirm that you have been impacted by COVID-19 by completing the short application that was emailed to you. Once an application is reviewed and a decision is reached, funds will be directly deposited to the account on record with Drexel Central.
PhD and certificate students are not eligible to receive funds from the CRRSA Act; however, a separate application is available for these students seeking emergency funds through Drexel's Student Emergency Fund.
The Department of Education (DOE) issued guidance does not specifically address or clarify the eligibility of international and DACA students. The University is monitoring for any changes to these guidelines and regulations that address these students. If there is additional information released regarding eligibility, the University will notify students via their Drexel email. In the mean time, a separate application is available for these students seeking emergency funds through Drexel's Student Emergency Fund.
Does emergency funding apply to graduate students?Yes, full-time graduate students that meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to apply for CRRSA Act funding.
Do I have to complete a FAFSA to be considered for RRSA Act funding?No. The Department of Education does not require a FAFSA to be on file to receive CRRSA Act funding.
What is the CRRSA Act/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and how does it apply to students?Under the CRRSA Act, the U.S. Department of Education has allocated $6.5 million from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund to Drexel University to provide emergency grants directly to students. The emergency grants will assist students "to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including eligible expenses under a student's Cost of Attendance (COA), such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care."
When will students receive funds?Students should receive funds within 7–10 business days of submitting their complete application.
Do I have to repay a CRRSA Act funding?You would not have to repay the amount awarded to you. The CRRSA Act funds are designed to be a grant, not a loan.
How much money is available for each applicant?The University awarded CRRSA Act grants to on campus students who fell into one of the following categories: (1) Pell grant recipients; (2) undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who did not receive a Pell grant but who had at least $15,000 of unmet institutional need. Unmet institutional need is defined as direct cost (tuition, fees, room, and board for resident students or tuition and fees for commuting students) minus Expected Family Contribution or EFC, minus all grant, scholarship, subsidized loan, federal work study, and graduate assistantship financial aid awards. The EFC that was used is derived from the CSS Profile if it was submitted for 2020–2021. If it was not submitted, the EFC is taken from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The University will award CRRSA Act funds to eligible students who submit an application in two amounts. Those students receiving a federal Pell Grant and all other eligible students with a demonstrated need above $20,000 will receive $1,000, while all other eligible students with a demonstrated need between $15,000 and $20,000 will receive $500.
Do I need to report financial aid or grants on my federal tax return?The IRS issued FAQs on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CRRSA Act that clarifies that CRRSA Act aid should be treated as a "qualified disaster relief payment" and not be treated as taxable income. Each financial award you receive from the federal government and other sources will have separate and unique tax consequences for your federal tax return. Visit the IRS website for assistance.