UTSA and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, UTSA has remained committed to keeping Roadrunners on the path to achieving their educational goals. Essential to meeting this commitment has been the support provided by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
The support of our elected officials has been invaluable to higher education during this trying time. For many Roadrunners, HEERF emergency aid made it possible for them to continue their education during the pandemic.
Taylor Eighmy, UTSA President
Latest News
- Funding supports COVID-impacted students in reaching degree completion
March 17, 2021 - Further Pandemic Relief Coming to Higher Education
January 20, 2021
HEERF Allocation Summary
Distributed in three phases over the course of 2020-21, UTSA received an estimated total of $176.4 million in federal HEERF funding. For each allocation, institutions were required to designate a percentage of funds to emergency student financial aid and grants.
HEERF 1 The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
HEERF 2 The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act)
HEERF 3 The American Rescue Plan (ARP)
*Universities with the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation such as UTSA received additional targeted support from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program. UTSA is using these funds for online research technology infrastructure, student grants and classroom upgrades for digital modalities.
How UTSA Used Institutional Support Funds
Beyond the funds designated for student emergency financial aid, UTSA utilized institutional support funds to provide student refunds, specialized grants and more emergency aid. Institutional funds were also used on a wide variety of student success initiatives to help with remote learning, technology needs, mental health and physical infrastructure for in-person learning activities.
HEERF 1 - $14.8M
Item | Percent | Amount ($) |
---|---|---|
Institutional Support | 100% | 14,828,443 |
Additional student aid grants | 39% | 5,843,837 |
Partial reimbursement of housing refunds | 28% | 4,142,478 |
Technology grants | 20% | 3,033,500 |
Athlete COVID-19 testing | 6% | 946,000 |
Technology infrastructure | 6% | 862,628 |
HEERF 2 - $34.7M
Item | Percent | Amount ($) |
---|---|---|
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT | 100% | 34,738,590 |
Additional student aid grants | 26% | 9,041,850 |
Virtual desktop interface/Wi-Fi support | 21% | 7,200,000 |
Renovations for digital/hybrid instruction delivery | 17% | 6,000,000 |
Remote workforce equipment upgrades | 9% | 3,000,000 |
Indirect cost recovery | 7% | 2,283,000 |
Emergency management expenses | 6% | 2,000,000 |
Building repairs to improve airflow | 6% | 2,000,000 |
Technology grants for new students | 5% | 1,663,740 |
Temporary help for student services offices | 1% | 500,000 |
Online course instructional designers | 1% | 500,000 |
Student support - medical services | 1% | 300,000 |
Student support - online tutoring | 1% | 250,000 |
HEERF 3 - $43.1M
Item | Percent | Amount ($) |
---|---|---|
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT | 100% | 43,094,802* |
*Line item detail will be available soon
Report and Disclosure
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting
- HEERF CARES Institutional Reporting from inception through September 30, 2020
- HEERF CARES Institutional Reporting from October 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020
- HEERF CARES Institutional Reporting from January 1, 2021, through March 31, 2021
- HEERF CARES Institutional Reporting from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021
- HEERF Institutional Reporting from July 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021
- HEERF Institutional Reporting from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021
- HEERF Institutional Reporting from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from October 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024
- HEERF Quarterly Reporting from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024
HEERF Student Aid Disclosure
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from January 1, 2021, through March 31, 2021
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from April 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from July 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from October 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from January 1, 2022, through March 31, 2022
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from April 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022
- HEERF Student Funds Reporting from July 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022
Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Report and Disclosure
As of February 1, 2021
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UTSA has used more than 50% of funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- The total amount of funds UTSA received on May 1, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students, is $14,828,444.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of February 1, 2021, is $14,828,444.
- The estimated total number of students at UTSA eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act is21,486*.
*The number of eligible students excludes those ineligible for Title IV aid (e.g., non-degree seeking students, non-U.S. citizens, not meeting satisfactory academic progress, not in default for any federal student loans) as well as those enrolled exclusively in online programs prior to March 13, 2020, which the U.S. Department of Education deemed ineligible to receive CARES Act funds - The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 15,304.
- The methods used to determine which and how many students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows. UTSA created an online grant application in which each student indicated:1) whether they had been impacted financially by the Coronavirus, 2) whether they submitted a FAFSA or completed the attestation certification on the online emergency aid application and 3) what specific financial needs they have in each area (food-related expenses, housing-related expenses, course-related expenses, technology-related expenses, health/childcare-related expenses). The Financial Aid & Scholarships office evaluated the applications based on the information provided, and they awarded funds based on each student’s identified needs and the availability of funding. Provided that the students were eligible to receive funds and identified legitimate needs, grants of up to $1,500 were automatically approved for the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters. To ensure the availability of funds for as many needy students as possible, mid-level managers and senior administrators reviewed requests exceeding $1,500 to determine the necessity for and feasibility of providing larger awards. For Fall 2020 students who had not previously received CARES funding in Spring or Summer, 2020 will receive a maximum of $600. Students who previously received CARES in Spring or Summer 2020 and who request additional funding in Fall will receive a maximum of $300. To assist students who are still experiencing difficulties due to the pandemic, we increased the grant amount for Spring 2021 up to $3,620 based on students’ identified needs and the availability of funding, provided that the students were eligible to receive the funds.
- The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UTSA to all students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants are:
- Email announcement to UTSA community dates April 16, 2020
- Information regarding the facts surrounding the CARES Act and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is displayed on the University’s CARES Act Eligibility and FAQ page
- UTSA Today Story