As required by the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP; and, in compliance with guidance from the US Department of Education (the "Department"), Columbia University reports here its use of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The Department's May 6, 2020 guidance (as updated by 85 Fed. Reg. 53802-53804) identified seven topics on which each institution receiving funding must report. The Department's requirements appear in bold below and the University's response to these is immediately afterward.
An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP (a)(1) program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The University hereby acknowledges that it signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 2003(a)(1) of ARP to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) program.
Columbia University has been awarded $16,527,678 from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP (a)(1) program as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
For the period ending June 30, 2021, Columbia University has not distributed HEERF III ARP funding to eligible students. Programs will launch soon and be communicated to students.
For the period ending September 30, 2021, Columbia University distributed $876,285 in Emergency Financial Aid grants to eligible students. For the period ending December 31, 2021, Columbia University distributed $13,654,749 in Emergency Financial Aid grants to eligible students. For the period ending March 31, 2022, Columbia University distributed $1,635,233 in Emergency Financial Aid grants to eligible students.The estimated total number of students at the institution that is eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) program.
Enrollment at the University changes by term and year. For illustrative purposes, fall 2020 enrollment was 31,455.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) program.
For the period ending June 30, 2021, Columbia University has not distributed HEERF III ARP funding to eligible students.
For the period ending September 30, 2021, a total of 279 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid grant. For the period ending December 31, 2021, a total of 9,916 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid grant. For the period ending March 31, 2022, a total of 2,299 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid grant.The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP (a)(1) program.
For the period ending June 30, 2021, the University has not allocated the HEERF III ARP funds and more information will be provided at a later date.For the period ending September 30, 2021, the University is in the process of allocating the majority of the funds to a program designed to target its neediest full-time students in schools that do not have a “meet need / no-loan” or fully funded” financial aid policy as well as allocating funds for each school's financial aid office to disburse through programs available to all students. All funds will be disbursed in compliance with the terms of ARP. As of December 31, 2021, the University allocated a majority of the funds to its neediest students through a central initiative. Further details of the initiative can be found here. The remaining portion of the award was allocated to each school's financial aid office to disburse the funds in compliance with the terms of ARP.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Schools launched programs and detailed information was provided to students by their home school, including instructions on eligibility, how to apply, how funds will be disbursed, what funds can be used for, and other pertinent information. Students should direct questions to the financial aid office of their home school.
Institutional funding
In addition, the University has signed and returned a certification agreement for the Institutional portion of the funding. Quarterly reporting can be found here:
Frequently asked questions
Has the University accepted the HEERF III ARP funding?
Yes, the University has accepted the HEERF III ARP funding. Your school's financial aid office will contact students who are being invited to apply for funding.
Who do I contact for questions about an application?
Your school's financial aid office will contact students who are being invited to apply for funding.