Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website.  Accordingly, Lasell University is posting the following information:

1.     Lasell University acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 11, 2020, and intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2.     Lasell University received $823,971.00 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3.     Lasell University estimates 1,520 students at the institution are 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. The first round of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants was disbursed to students beginning the week of June 1, 2020. 

4.     Lasell University created an application for students to apply for the CARES funds. Students seeking funding in this first round must complete the Lasell University application, FAFSA and must met all the criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA. Amounts were granted based on the application request and the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) on the most recent FAFSA, up to the maximum of $1,000 with documentation and up to $500 without documentation. 

5.     Lasell University recognized that students were still suffering hardships as a result of the of campus closure in March 2020. Students required funds to cover additional expenses incurred due to the pandemic such as food, housing, course materials, technology, child care and health care. Lasell disbursed $700 to all eligible students who were enrolled in March 2020 during the campus closure and took classes on ground. Eligible students must have been enrolled in Fall 2020 semester, completed the FAFSA and met all the criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. Students who received funding from the application that did not meet the $700 maximum received the difference to total $700. Those students who received over $700 from the application did not receive additional funds.

6.     Lasell University is currently in the closeout period for the remaining CARES Act funding. Remaining funds have an application deadline of March 12, 2021. The $1000 maximum is lifted with this final round and will be based upon information submitted. Those seeking funding in this final round must complete the Lasell University application, FAFSA and must met all the criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA.

7.     All applications will be reviewed by a Committee. 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 are based upon need and the information submitted in the application.

8.     Instructions, directions, and guidance to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants are provided on the Lasell University website, www.lasell.edu. 

FINAL CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) – Student Portion 

This is the final quarterly posting report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds. 

As of March 23, 2021, $823,971 Lasell Univerisy's allocation was distributed to 1056 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 

As of January 10, 2021, $744,636 have been distributed to 1044 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. 

As of October 10, 2020, $212,841 have been distributed to 346 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of September 15, 2020, $208,341 have been distributed to 342 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 25, 2020, $205,621 have been distributed to 337 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of July 27, 2020, $190,751 have been distributed to 314 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 26, 2020, $164,559 have been distributed to 268 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

FINAL CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) – Institutional Portion 

Section 18004(a)(1) – Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3) Public Reporting 

For recipients of the CARES Act - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Institutional portion, recipient will comply with all reporting requirements including those in Section 15011(b)(2) of Division B of the CARES Act and submit required quarterly reports to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary may reasonably require (See also 2 CFR 200.327-200.329).

1. This is to acknowledge that Lasell University signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the Institutional Portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Formula Grants Authorized by Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 23, 2020.
2. Lasell University received $823,970 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] the Institutional Portion.
3. As of September 30, 2020 Lasell University spent and drew down a total of $823,970 in Institutional Funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act

Lasell Unversity's Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2) as of September 30, 2020 can be reviewed HERE.