Finding Text
Lack of Compliance With Required Use of HEERF III Funds
Assistance Listing: 84.425F Program Title: Education Stabilization Fund: ARP HEERF III
Federal Agency: Department of Education
Criteria
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III Frequently Asked Questions provides that a portion of the institutional funds must be used to “Conduct direct outreach to financial aid applicants about the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances described in section 479A of the HEA.”
Condition
The College did not use a portion of the HEERF III funding for the above mentioned purpose.
Context
This requirement was one of two new requirements. The other requirement to use funding to implement evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus in accordance with public health guidelines was followed by the College.
Effect
The College did not comply with one of the required uses of their grant funding.
Cause
Unknown.
Recommendation
We recommend that management review grant requirements in order to ensure compliance.
Management’s Response
The HEERF III Funds were provided to the College as a result of the recent pandemic. These grant funds are no longer available to the College. While we did not effectively market or engage in outreach to students to provide financial aid adjustments, we instead provided hard dollars to all students using these grant funds to offset any financial circumstances related to employment.