Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided emergency aid funds to institutions of higher education. BVU signed and returned the certification and agreement form to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
In compliance with federal regulations regarding the CARES Act, we have published a report detailing BVU's spending of CARES Act funding. See the report
CARES Distributions (HEERF I)
BVU received $561,896 HEERF I emergency aid to be distributed directly to students who met the Department of Education eligibility guidelines (students eligible for federal financial aid). These emergency funds are designed to assist residential and commuter Storm Lake students only in covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. As of December 31, 2021, BVU distributed $561,896 of the funds to all 624 eligible students. BVU allocated the funds to students using a tiered model, based upon demonstrated financial need from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file along with considering distance from campus. The email below was sent to students on May 8, 2020.
Dear students,
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided emergency aid funds to institutions of higher education. BVU was recently allotted the emergency aid to be distributed directly to students who meet the Department of Education eligibility guidelines (students eligible for federal financial aid). These emergency funds are designed to assist students in covering expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. BVU will be allocating the funds to students using a tiered model, based upon demonstrated financial need from the student’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file. Please note, the funds may be considered taxable income and could be reported on your 1098-T at the end of the year.
The emergency aid funds will be distributed to student accounts beginning the week of May 11, 2020, and direct deposits and checks will be sent to banks or mailed later in the week or early the week of May 18. If you owe a balance on your student account, these funds will not impact that balance as we are required to send the funds directly to you. Please do not send us back the refund check to apply back to your student account or to hold on your account for next year. You may send us a personal check or pay through BeaverNet if you prefer to use the funds to pay on your student account.
As a community that values equity and inclusion, we recognize that although this government funding will assist many of our students who are experiencing financial hardship, it also excludes some of our most financially vulnerable students who may not have filed the FAFSA. Consequently, BVU has alternative funding sources for students who may not meet the eligibility requirement for these federal funds. If you do not meet eligibility for these funds and/or did not file the FAFSA and have additional need for financial support as a result of COVID-19 implications, please seek assistance and support through the BVU Student Emergency Fund by applying here.
Wishing you continued health and safety,
Courtney Berg
Director of Finance & Administration/Controller
Buena Vista University
CRRSAA Distributions (HEERF II)
BVU received $561,896 HEERF II emergency aid to be distributed directly to students who met the Department of Education eligibility guidelines (students eligible for federal financial aid). As of December 31, 2021, BVU distributed $561,896 of the funds to all 675 eligible students. BVU allocated the funds to students using a tiered model, based upon Pell eligibility or an application process if a student did not receive Pell. The email below was sent to students on March 4, 2021.
Dear students,
Buena Vista University was awarded funding through the Higher Education Emergency Fund II (HEERF II) which is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. This funding will be provided to students who are eligible for Pell Grants. Full-time Storm Lake campus students who are eligible will receive the lesser of $1,250 or the amount of Pell Grant they are eligible for this academic year. Part-time Storm Lake campus students and online and hybrid students will receive the lesser of $600 or the amount of Pell Grant they are eligible for this academic year. The reason for the difference in funding is due to the difference in the cost of attendance for residential students compared to online and hybrid students. Students who have a current balance on their account may apply these funds to the balance (if this is applicable to you, you will have received an email regarding the process of applying funds to your balance). For all other Pell Grant eligible students enrolled in Spring 2021 courses on the Storm Lake campus and Term 3 courses for online and hybrid programs, funds will be applied to student accounts the week of March 15 and if applicable, refund checks will be processed by March 26.
Students who are not eligible for Pell Grants and are in serious financial need may still apply for emergency funding at bvu.edu/student-emergency-fund. This fund is intended to be a supplemental financial resource when students are unable to meet immediate and essential expenses due to a temporary hardship surrounding situations such as accidents, illness, death of a family member, fire damage, natural disaster, or need for temporary housing. Students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other resources. This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and does not have to be repaid.
If you have questions, please contact Courtney Berg at bergc@bvu.edu.
ARP distributions (HEERF III)
BVU recently received $2,227,645 HEERF III emergency aid to be disbursed directly to students. As of March 31, 2022, BVU distributed $2,182,800 of the funds to all 1,436 eligible students. BVU allocated the funds to students who had an EFC on their FASFA of $15,000 or less or an application process if a student did not file a FASFA or had an EFC above $15,000. The emails below were sent to students on September 22,2021 and February 1, 2022.
Eligible Students 9/22/21
Dear students,
Buena Vista University was awarded funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (HEERF III) This funding will be provided to students who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as reported on the FASFA. Because you have an EFC of $15,000 or lower, you will qualify for this funding.
Full-time, Storm Lake campus students who are eligible will receive $1,300. Part-time Storm Lake campus students, online and hybrid undergraduate, and graduate students will receive $650. The reason for the difference in funding is due to the difference in the cost of attendance for Storm Lake campus students compared to online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate students.
Funding will be applied to student accounts by 9/30/21, and refunds will be processed the first part of October 2021. Students who have a current balance on their account may apply these funds to your balance by completing this form (click on this form) by 09/28/21 at 5 pm.
This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and does not have to be repaid.
If you have questions, please contact Courtney Berg at bergc@bvu.edu.
Non-Eligible Students 9/22/21
Dear students,
Buena Vista University was awarded funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (HEERF III) This funding will be provided to students who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as reported on the FASFA. You will not be eligible for this funding because either your EFC is above $15,000 or you did not file a FASFA.
If you are in serious financial need, you may still apply for emergency funding at bvu.edu/student-emergency-fund.
If you have questions, please contact Courtney Berg at bergc@bvu.edu.
Eligible Students 2/1/22
Dear students,
Buena Vista University was awarded funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (HEERF III) This funding will be provided to students who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as reported on the FASFA. Because you have an EFC of $15,000 or lower, you will qualify for this funding.
Full-time, Storm Lake campus students who are eligible will receive $1,300. Part-time Storm Lake campus students, online and hybrid undergraduate, and graduate students will receive $650. The reason for the difference in funding is due to the difference in the cost of attendance for Storm Lake campus students compared to online and hybrid undergraduate and graduate students.
Funding will be applied to student accounts by 2/11/22, and refunds will be processed by 2/18/22 . Students who have a current balance on their account may apply these funds to your balance by completing this form (click on this form) by 02/07/22 at 5 pm.
This funding is not intended to replace or supplement existing financial aid and does not have to be repaid.
If you have questions, please contact Courtney Berg at bergc@bvu.edu.
Non-Eligible Students 2/1/22
Dear students,
Buena Vista University was awarded funding through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (HEERF III) This funding will be provided to students who have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less as reported on the FASFA. You will not be eligible for this funding because either your EFC is above $15,000 or you did not file a FASFA.
If you are in serious financial need, you may still apply for emergency funding at bvu.edu/student-emergency-fund.
If you have questions, please contact Courtney Berg at bergc@bvu.edu.