Office of Enrollment Management

CARES Act

Table of Contents

Information on Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) are provided by the federal government to help students and institutions of higher education affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (Public Law 116-136, passed March 27, 2020) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) (Public Law 116-260, passed December 27, 2020).  The CARES Act and the CRRSAA provided the Department of Education approximately $15 (HEERF) and $23 billion (HEERF II), respectively, to assist institutions of higher education.

In accepting HEERF funds, MUSC agreed to use at least 50% of the total to provide emergency grants to students. MUSC followed federal guidelines to ensure the funds were disbursed as directed. 

HEERF disbursement to students

In FY20, MUSC received $937,694 in HEERF.  MUSC issued $468,847 (50%) to students qualifying for the emergency grants. 

To be eligible to receive a grant under HEERF, the student had to be enrolled in Spring 2020 coursework in a program that was not considered primarily on online program. The student must also have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Spring semester 2020. The number of students who were determined initially eligible was 1,774.  These students were sent an electronic survey to their MUSC email address (with two subsequent reminders for non-responders) asking if they had experienced one or more qualifying COVID-related expenses. The number of students who responded affirmatively was 1,165.

The Bursar’s office disbursed $468,847 by April 30, 2020 to 1,165 students as follows:

  • 1,165 students received $402.44 each
  • 1 student (randomly selected among the 1,165) received an additional $4.40 (remainder)

In addition to the required disbursements of grants above, MUSC awarded an additional $385,841.59 to students for refunds related to parking fees and other campus fees, and $26,720 for lab fee refunds.

HEERF II disbursement to students

In FY21, MUSC received $1,114,732 in HEERF II.  MUSC issued $468,847 to students qualifying for the emergency grants.

To be eligible to receive a grant under HEERF II, the student must be enrolled and have submitted a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Spring semester 2021. The number of students who were determined initially eligible was 2,305.  These students were sent an electronic survey to their MUSC email address (with three subsequent reminders for non-responders) asking if they had experienced one or more qualifying COVID-related expenses. Final eligibility was met if the student attested on or before March 12, 2021 that they had incurred such expenses.  The number of students who were eligible to receive grants was 1,602.

The Bursar’s office disbursed $468,847 by April 30, 2021 to 1,602 students as follows:

  • 1,573 Non-Pell Recipients received $287.45 each
  • 28 Pell Recipients received $574.90 each (special financial need was indicated by Pell recipient status, so these students received twice the amount received by others)
  • 1 Pell Recipient (randomly selected) received $590.95 (which was the remainder to sum to the total MUSC was approved to disburse)

HEERF III disbursement to students

In FY22, MUSC received $1,954,533 in HEERF III.  MUSC issued $982,688 to students qualifying for the emergency grants.

To be eligible to receive a grant under HEERF III, the student must be a degree seeking student enrolled for fall semester 2021. The number of students who were determined initially eligible was 3,237. These students were sent an electronic survey to their MUSC email address (with four subsequent reminders for non-responders) asking if they had experienced one or more qualifying COVID-related expenses. Final eligibility was met if the student attested on or before October 14, 2021 that they had incurred such expenses.  The number of students who were eligible to receive grants was 2,045.

The Bursar’s office disbursed $982,688 by November 10, 2021 to 2,045 students as follows:

  • 2,009 Non-Pell Recipients received $472.21 each

  • 35 Pell Recipients received $944.42 each (special financial need was indicated by Pell recipient status, so these students received twice the amount received by others)

  • 1 Pell Recipient (randomly selected) received $963.41 (which was the remainder to sum to the total MUSC was approved to disburse)

In Spring 2022, MUSC was able to issue additional funds from this award to currently enrolled students who were previously identified as eligible.

The Bursar's office disbursed $315,947.61 by march 1, 2022 to 1936 students as follows: 

  • 1,912 Non-Pell Recipients received $161.191 each
  • 23 Pell Recipients received $322.38 each (special financial need was indicated by Pell recipient status, so these students received twice the amount received by others)
  • 1 Pell Recipient (randomly selected) received $337.59 (which was the remainder to sum to the total MUSC was approved to disburse)

HEERF Reports

2022

2021

2020

Per the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education, these reports should be available to the public through March 2025.