CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Distribution of Emergency Financial Grants for Students

Maryland University of Integrative Health recognizes that many of our students are experiencing significant challenges due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

To assist students, MUIH is distributing emergency financial grants from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020 by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of these funds is to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for specific expenses that are a direct result of the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

MUIH understands that the vast majority of our students experienced upheaval, and the funds will be divided evenly among all eligible students. Our goal is to provide the funds to help ease the barriers to ensure student success.

Student and Institutional Reports

The CARES Act requires all colleges and universities participating in the program to provide access to the following information.

We are reaching out to you with details about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (Cares) Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020. HEERF provides funds to institutions for emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

MUIH has been allocated $45,945.00 received from HEERF to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The MUIH allocation and the criteria for which students are eligible are determined by the U. S. Department of Education (ED). Funds are intended to help with academically related expenses such as:

Food
Housing
Course Materials
Technology
Healthcare
Childcare

Eligibility

The Financial Aid Office will use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine students’ eligibility. Students who have not completed a FAFSA who may have been eligible and were affected by COVID-19 must complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA by June 15, 2020. The MUIH school code is G25784.

For consideration, students must meet the following federally established FAFSA eligibility criteria:

Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
Be currently enrolled for at least three credits/half-time within an eligible degree or certificate program
Have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent and have a bachelor’s degree
Not be in default on any student loans or owe a refund on any grant under the Title IV federal student aid programs
Be registered with Selective Service if a male between the ages of 18 and 25
Have a valid Social Security number
Not be ineligible due to a drug conviction
Not have borrowed in excess of the annual or aggregate Direct Federal Stafford Loan limits
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress

Federal guidance stipulates students must meet the following eligibility to receive HEERF.

Students must have been enrolled in the spring 2020 trimester, and currently enrolled in summer 2020 trimester or will enroll fall 2020 trimester
Students must be eligible to receive federal financial aid
Students must have been enrolled in a face-to-face or hybrid program as of March 13, 2020 (This does not apply to exclusively online programs before COVID-19)
Must have been enrolled in a face-to-face or hybrid program as of March 13, 2020
Must not be enrolled in a fully online program

Please note: Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used by International students, students with DACA status, undocumented students, and students not enrolled in a degree or certificate program.

Submit Your FAFSA

The 2023-24 FAFSA is now available
School Code: G25784

Start FAFSA

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to request the CARES act funding? Do I have to complete an application to receive funds?

Students seeking a HEERF grant will need to complete the MUIH HEERF Application by June 15, 2020. Applications will be considered and approved based on eligibility. If approved, a notification will be sent out from the Finance office. Students who apply must attest that the expenses detailed in the application are true and accurate. The application will be available from June 4, 2020, to June 15, 20020.

In order to be automatically eligible for the CARES Act funding you must meet all of the following Federal Title IV Aid criteria which can be determined by filing a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):

U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
Valid Social Security number
Student is not in default on a Federal Educational (Title IV) Grant or Loan
Maintain the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards
Student has not been convicted of a crime involving fraud in obtaining Federal financial aid

I haven’t completed a FAFSA form for the 2019-2020 academic year. Can I still do that and possibly receive funding?

Yes. You can complete the FASFA form using appropriate tax returns from 2017. You must complete the FASFA form by June 15, 2020 to be considered for a distribution.

How will I get my CARES act funds?

Students who meet eligibility criteria will have a papercheck mailed to them indicated by the HEERF Application form.

How long will it take to receive CARES act funding?

Funds will be disbursed to eligible students by the end of June. Those students who have not yet filed the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), can do so here.

What if I need emergency money now and again in the fall?

The CARES Act funding is a one-time distribution. Students who are experiencing financial challenges should contact Financial Aid Services to see what options may be available.