Student Emergency Support Funds

Millikin University traditionally provides funding to students experiencing unanticipated expenses due to emergency situations. This financial assistance is stewarded by the Office of Student Affairs in consultation with the Office of Student Financial Services and is intended as a funding bridge for Millikin students to cover emergency and education-related expenses. Our normal procedure for student requests has been accelerated, modified and enhanced in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

Emergency Support Funds are drawn from both Millikin University and federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) and are cash grants, not loans.

CARES Act HEERF Institutional Fund Distribution Information

Millikin University HEERF Report
Millikin University HEERF Report Q1 2021
Millikin University HEERF Report Q2 2021
Millikin University HEERF Report Q3 2021
Millikin University HEERF Report Q4 2021
Millikin University HEERF Report Q2 2022

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding for higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Millikin University received an allocation of HEERF Emergency Funds for Students and signed the Department of Education Certification and Agreement accepting these funds on April 16, 2020. Each institution of higher education is required to develop it's own system and process for allocating their share of funds. 

Funds are awarded to current Millikin students to assist with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, including food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care. Students must be eligible for Title IV funding in order to receive CARES Act funds. Students receiving Emergency Support Funds will receive funds ranging from $200 (minimum) to $1,000 (maximum). Students with need beyond the $1,000 maximum will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Applications will be reviewed beginning May 1 and will continue to be reviewed daily until further notice. Emergency Support Fund determinations will be made in the most efficient way possible to allow for timely fund disbursements.

Budget and Expenditure reporting information for CARES Act HEERF Funds at Millikin University:

CARES Act Emergency Funds to Students:

• Millikin University's allocation for Emergency Grants to Students is $1,149,522.

• Millikin University was notified on May 3, 2020 that the funds were available for use.

• Disbursement of Emergency Grants to Millikin students began on May 11, 2020.

• As of September 30, 2020, Millikin University has awarded 942 students CARES Act Emergency Grants in an amount totaling $933,404.

• As of December 31, 2020, Millikin University has awarded 973 students CARES Act Emergency Grants in an amount totaling $1,035,916.

• As of February 25, 2021, Millikin University has awarded 1010 students CAREA Act Emergency Grants in an amount totaling $1,149,522.

• All funds received from the CARES Act to support Emergency Grants for students has been expended at this time.

• HEERF Emergency Grants are available to students who are eligible to participate in financial aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. At Millikin University approximately 1696 students meet this criteria and are eligible to receive assistance under the CARES Act.

• HEERF Emergency Grants are disbursed directly to students and are to be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus such as: food, housing, course materials, technology, child care and health care.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021 was signed into law on December 27, 2020. This new law provides approximately $22.7 billion in supplemental Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) to institutions of higher education to prepare and respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Millikin University was notified in late January to expect an allocation of $1,149,522 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students from the CRRSAA. These new HEERF funds are intended to supplement the previously received HEERF funds from the CARES Act and provide direct grant assistance to students that may be used to support any component of a student's cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.

Similar to the CARES Act, the CRRSAA allows each institution of higher education to develop their own system and process for allocating the HEERF II Emergency Grants to students. Institutions are required to develop a distribution strategy that prioritizes students with exceptional financial need. Millikin University has recently developed a plan to distribute our allocation and is in the process of contacting eligible students.

Who is eligible for HEERF emergency grants from the CRRSAA?

All Millikin degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students enrolled for the Spring 2021 term were considered for eligibility. Recipients must be a citizen or eligible non-citizen of the U.S. (as determined by the FAFSA) to be eligible.

Is a FAFSA required to receive the HEERF emergency grant?

Yes, the University is using the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from students' 2020-2021 FAFSA to determine those with exceptional financial need as directed by the grant.

Is an application required to receive the HEERF emergency grant?

Students who are eligible for an emergency grant will be notified via their University email and do not need to submit a separate application. However, eligible students must confirm their preferred mode of distribution by completing a survey.

How much are the emergency grants?

Grant amounts will vary by student based on results of their 2020-2021 FAFSA and part-time/full-time enrollment status. Emergency grants will range from $250 to $950 per student.

How will I receive the emergency grant?

Eligible students will be contacted via email and asked to complete a survey with their preferred mode of distribution. The emergency grant funds can be applied directly to any outstanding University account balance or may be received via check or direct deposit. The survey is accessible via the My Alerts section of each student's MyMillikin account and must be completed by March 22.

When will I receive my emergency grant?

We expect disbursements to begin the week of March 22nd. Students who elect to have the payment posted to their University account will see the funds applied before the installment payment is due on March 31st. Students who elect to receive the funds directly will receive notification of direct deposit or check by the first week in April.

How can I use the emergency grant funds?

The emergency grant funds can be used for educational expenses included in a student's cost of attendance or may be used for emergency needs that arise as a result of the coronavirus.

Will I have to repay this emergency grant?

No. The funds are grant assistance that does not need to be repaid.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact the Office of Student Financial Services via email at studentfinancialservices@millikin.edu

CRRSAA ACT - HEERF II Disbursement Information:

• - Approximately 1823 Millikin University students are eligible to receive student emergency funds
• - As of March 30, 2021, 1071 students received a total of $738,000
• - From April 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021, 335 students received $200,850
• - From July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021, 83 students received a total of $210,672

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law on March 11, 2021 and includes $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to assist institutions of higher education with continued response to the coronavirus pandemic. This Act represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF funds and provides both direct grant assistance for students and institutional funds. Institutions must use at least half of the total appropriation under this Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students within 12 months of receiving the funds.

Millikin University was notified on May 15, 2021 to expect a total appropriation under the ARP Act of $6,209,329. Half of this appropriation - $3,105,603 – is to be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students. These new HEERF III funds are intended to supplement the previously received HEERF I and II funds from the CARES and CRRSAA Acts, respectively.

Similar to the CARES Act and CRRSAA, the American Rescue Plan Act allows each institution of higher education to develop their own system and process for allocating the HEERF III Emergency Grants to students. Institutions are required to develop a distribution strategy that prioritizes students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell grants or are undergraduates with extraordinary financial circumstances. Millikin University has developed the following guidelines for distribution of the HEERF III funds. 
 

Who is eligible for HEERF III Emergency Grants?

All Millikin degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students who are or were enrolled at any time during the COVID-19 national emergency.

Is a FAFSA required to receive HEERF III Emergency Grants?

A FAFSA is not required to receive HEERF III funding. However, the University will use the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from a student’s 2020-21 or 2021-22 FAFSA to help determine those with exceptional financial need.

Is there an application process for the HEERF III funds?

Yes. Students must complete an application for emergency support funds to state their emergent or exceptional need and provide direction for disbursement of funding.

How much can I receive in Emergency Grant funding?

Grant amounts will vary by student and will be determined on a case-by-case basis in consideration of each student’s documented need. Grants will range from $500 to $3000.

How will I receive my Emergency Grant?

Upon approval of the application, students will be contacted via email with the final amount and distribution date of their grant. The emergency grant funds can be applied directly to any outstanding University account balance or may be received via check or direct deposit. Students must indicate their preferred method of disbursement on the application.

How can I use the emergency grant funds?

The emergency grant funds can be used at the student’s discretion for educational expenses included in the student’s cost of attendance or may be used for emergency needs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care or child care.

Will the emergency grant funds have to be repaid?

No. The funds are grant assistance that does not need to be repaid.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Contact the Office of Student Financial Services via email at studentfinancialservices@millikin.edu.

American Rescue Plan Act - HEERF III Disbursement Information

• - Approximately  1831 Millikin students were eligible to receive emergency student funding
• - As of September 30, 2021, 71 students have received $165,684.67
• - From October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021, 679 students received $1,782,848.42.
• - From January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022, 482 students received $973,678.

Student Development Grants and Loans

The Office of Student Development offers several loans and grants to assist students in emergency situation or for unplanned expenses.  These loans and grants are meant to remove barriers for success at Millikin and to assist students in their primary pursuit of achieving academic persistence and success (and, ultimately, graduation!) at Millikin.  The following grants and loans are available for application:

Please call or stop by our office (354 University Commons/217.424.6395)  to request an appointment for a staff member to review your application with you.  Please bring a completed copy of the application with you for your appointment.