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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) – Institutional Portion

CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (HEERF I)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I (HEERF I) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided funding to higher education institutions. CSU Fullerton was awarded $20,510,756 in funding under the Institutional Portion on May 6, 2020, pursuant to signing the required Certification and Agreement with the US Department of Education. In addition, CSU Fullerton was awarded $3,105,770 in funding on June 6, 2020 and additional funding of $24,787 on October 24, 2020, under the Minority Serving Institutions pursuant to signing the required Certification and Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education. To date, CSU Fullerton has incurred and been reimbursed for $20,510,756 with the funding from HEERF Institutional Portion and $3,130,557 with HEERF Minority Serving Institutions funds.

Pursuant to H.R. 748 (CARES Act), section 18004(c), CSU campuses may use monies to cover costs incurred associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Costs must be incurred on or after March 13, 2020 to be eligible.

Examples of allowable uses permitted under the broad institutional authority granted by the CARES Act may include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, and technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, payroll costs, and emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses.

Section 18006 of the CARES Act provides further guidance regarding the use of monies provided under the act, stating that institutions of higher education shall to the greatest extent practicable continue to pay its employees and contractors (e.g. auxiliary organizations) during the period of any disruptions or closures related to coronavirus.

CRRSAA Act: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (HEERF II)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education, in addition to the $30.75 billion expeditiously provided last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.

California State University, Fullerton was awarded $72,254,326, of which $47,226,193 was awarded under the Institutional Portion and $20,510,756 was awarded for the student aid on January 15, 2021. In addition, CSU Fullerton was awarded $4,517,377 under HEERF Minority Serving Institutions funds on March 5, 2021.

ARP Act: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.

California State University, Fullerton has been awarded $118,506,873, of which $58,928,723 was awarded under the Institutional Portion and $59,579,150 for student aid on May 17, 2021. In addition, CSU Fullerton is expecting approximately $7,901,250 under HEERF Minority Serving Institutions funds during the current fiscal year.

Eligibility Criteria

View eligibility criteria here.

Quarterly Reports


Student Financial Aid

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting (Updated August 4, 2020)