Final Report: October 29, 2020

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act granted funds to institutions through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Institutions must use 50 percent of these funds to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to Coronavirus. Eligible expenses include food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Otterbein University signed and returned the Certification and Agreement Form for these funds on April 25, 2020 which acknowledges the institution has agreed to disburse 50 percent of the funds to students. Otterbein University will distribute $1,127,643 to currently enrolled Otterbein University students.

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a) (1) of the CARES Act was $1,127,643. All of the funds were distributed by July 1, 2020.

The 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)(a) of the CARES Act is 2506.

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a) (1) of the CARES Act is 995.

Otterbein University has established an application process for students to request funds for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The Emergency Grant Form is available to all students. Award amounts are determined by Otterbein based upon an individualized review of the student emergency grant application in accordance with guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education. As of July 1, 2020, the average amount awarded to a student was $1133.

Otterbein announced the availability of emergency grants in a newsletter sent on April 17, 2020, to all students and an online link was available on the University website. Additionally, the university amplified awareness through social media and emails. These student notifications include information that funds may be used for allowable expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.

Final Report: March 21, 2021

Otterbein University received $1,127,643 from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, (CRRSAA) to immediately assist students experiencing exceptional need. A signed Certification and Agreement was returned to the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible for the federal relief dollars, a student must be enrolled anytime from March 13, 2020, through the end of the spring 2021 semester. The student can be a graduate or undergraduate student, studying on-campus or online. The CRRSAA funds will be awarded in the form of a grant which does not need to be repaid.

Otterbein University announced the availability of these funds in a newsletter sent to students. The application process created an internal application for students to complete and a committee of college administrators reviewed the applications. Similar to the CARES process of awarding, students were also notified of the available funds through social media. Students were informed that funding was available to cover any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.

As of March 31, 2021, $1,068,750 had been distributed to 698 students with an average disbursement of $1,531. By June 30, 2021, the balance of the funds had been distributed to an additional 81 students. Overall, 779 students received the funds with an average disbursement of $1,448.

Final Report: June 30, 2021

Otterbein University received $2,971,832 from the American Rescue Plan to assist students in financial need. As of June 30, 2021, these funds have not yet been awarded.

As of September 30, 2021, 725 students applied and were awarded a total of $803,090.12.  For the most part, students received between $500-$1,200 dollars depending on their EFC.  The average amount received per student was $1,181.51.  Remaining funds will continue to be distributed throughout the academic year to eligible students.  All funds are intended to be distributed by spring 2022.

As of December 31, 2021, students applied and were awarded a total of $1,412,790.12.  The average amount received per student was $1,018.59.  Remaining funds will continue to be distributed throughout the academic year to eligible students.  All funds are intended to be distributed by spring 2022.

As of March 31, 2022, students applied and were awarded the total aid amount of $2,971,832 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  Fall 2021 saw 1,387 students awarded aid and spring 2022 saw 1,302 student awarded aid.  The average amount received per student was $1,105.18.  All funds have been awarded.