Cares Act Funding

Cares Act Funding


In June 2020, GMercyU distributed CARES ACT funding to all eligible students.  

Beginning in April 2021, the University will distribute available CARES ACT Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) II Funding funding to eligible students to help defray education costs associated with the pandemic.  

How will the University distribute the HEERF II funding to students?

Beginning in April 2021, the University will distribute available HEERF II Funding funding to eligible students to help defray education costs associated with the pandemic.  

If you already signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer since we implemented our new system on April 6, 2020, the payment will be sent directly to the account we have on file for you. Please log in to Self-Service by April 14, 2021 to verify that the bank information listed is still accurate.  

If you have not yet signed up for Electronic Funds Transfer, we encourage you to do so no later than April 14.  Instructions are located here.  Otherwise, we will mail a check to your home address.  Paper checks may be delayed as most University personnel will continue to work remotely through the summer.  

How can I tell if I’m eligible for HEERF II funding?

The following Gwynedd Mercy University students who were enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester will be eligible for CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds:

  • Graduate students who completed the FAFSA and were considered eligible for federal financial aid
  • Undergraduate students who completed the FAFSA and were eligible for a Pell Grant; this includes students enrolled in both online/accelerated and on-campus programs.
  • Undergraduate students who completed the FAFSA and had an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less; this includes students enrolled in both online/accelerated and on-campus programs.
How much funding will I receive?

Funding amounts for existing FAFSA filers will be as follows. Funding amounts are based on your Spring 2021 enrollment status.

  • Title-IV Eligible Graduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA: $200
  • Pell Eligible Campus Undergraduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA:
    • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $238
    • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $476
    • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $713
    • Full Time (12 or more credits): $951
  • Pell Eligible Online/Accelerated Undergraduate Students, based on the results of your FAFSA:
    • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $155
    • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $310
    • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $465
    • Full Time (12 or more credits): $620 
  • Title-IV Eligible Campus Undergraduate Students with an EFC of $15,000 or less, based on the results of your FAFSA:
    • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $160
    • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $320
    • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $479
    • Full Time (12 or more credits): $639
  • Title-IV Eligible Online/Accelerated Students with an EFC of $15,000 or less, based on the results of your FAFSA:
    • Less-Than-Half-Time (fewer than 6 credits): $120
    • Half-Time (6-8 credits): $240
    • Three-Quarter Time (9-11 credits): $359
    • Full Time (12 or more credits): $479

Funding will be sent to eligible students in the middle of April.

Will there be any other opportunities to receive funding under the HEERF II Funding Act?

Yes. Students who were enrolled in Spring 2021 and experienced hardship related to COVID-19 disruption to campus operations, may apply for additional funding via a form that will be posted here beginning May 1.

Funding is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. It may not be possible to fund all requests.

What if I didn’t file the FAFSA, but still have COVID-19-related expenses?

If you were enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Spring 2021 and chose not to file a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) but have experienced hardship related to COVID-19, you may apply for a limited amount of funding via a form that will be posted here beginning May 1.

To be eligible for funding from the federal government, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have U.S. citizenship or be an eligible non-citizen
  • Have a valid U.S. Social security number
  • Be registered with Selective Service (for male students)
  • Have met Satisfactory Academic Progress standards
  • Are not currently in default for federal student loans

Any available funding will be allocated on a first-come, first served basis.

CARES Act: Required Public Disclosures

a) The University acknowledges that it has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004 of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

b) The total amount of funds that the University has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students was $836,538.

c) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020 was $0. The initial disbursement is anticipated before June 30, 2020.

  • October 6, 2020: The initial disbursement was made on June 10, 2020. As of October 6, 2020, $791,430 was disbursed to 1491 students based on the primary calculation. An additional $9,200 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 14 applicants.
  • December 31, 2020: As of December 31, 2020, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation. A total of $32,600 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 51 applicants.
  • March 31, 2021: As of March 31, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $43,300 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 69 applicants.  $1,808 remains to be disbursed.

d) The estimated total number of students at the institution 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 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is approximately 1,500.

e) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020 is zero. The first disbursement is anticipated before June 30, 2020.

  • October 6, 2020: The initial disbursement was made on June 10, 2020. As of October 6, 2020, $791,430 was disbursed to 1491 students based on the primary calculation. An additional $9,200 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 14 applicants.
  • December 31, 2020: As of December 31, 2020, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation. A total of $32,600 was awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 51 applicants.
  • March 31, 2021: As of March 31, 2021, no additional funds were disbursed based on the primary calculation.  A total of $43,300 has been awarded out of the Contingency pool of funds to 69 applicants.  $1,808 remains to be disbursed.

f) The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was based on enrollment status. 

CARES Act Policies & Procedures – Original (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – September 30, 2020 (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – December 31, 2020 (PDF)
CARES Act Policies & Procedures – March 31, 2021 (PDF)


Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – September 30, 2020 (PDF)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – December 31, 2020 (PDF)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act – March 31, 2021 (PDF)