CARES Act Reporting Information

The information is current as of 10/8/2020.

1) RMU has applied for and received CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Education. RMU has signed and returned a Certification and Agreement to the Department. RMU has used 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. 

2) RMU received $1,663,439 in funds to be provided for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

3) As of July 10, 2020 RMU has distributed the entirety of its $1,663,439 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. Additional updates will be provided every 45 days after July 10, 2020.

4) RMU estimates that 2,895 of its students are eligible to participate in programs under Section 474 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. 

5) As of July 10, 2020, 2,519 students have received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. . 

6) RMU provided awards to undergraduate students who had a completed FAFSA on file and were in good financial aid standing. The awards were determined based on students’ Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and full- or less than full-time enrollment status.  Below is a breakdown of the awards for full time and part time enrolled students:

  • The awards for full-time enrolled students are determined by EFC and housing status:
    • EFC $0 - 5,500 Resident Student: $750 per student 
    • EFC $0 - 5,500 Non Resident Student: $700 per student 
    • EFC $5,501-14,000: $500 per student
    • EFC $14,001 and above: $250 per student
  • The awards for students enrolling less than full time are determined by EFC:
    • EFC $0 - 10,000: $200 per student
    • EFC $10,001 +: $100 per student

For students who did not have a FAFSA on file, an email was generated prompting them to file a 2019-20 FAFSA by May 8, 2020 so we could determine if they would qualify for an award.  RMU continued to review FAFSAs submitted after the May 8, 2020 deadline until funds were exhausted.
 
In addition to the grants that were awarded directly to students, a portion of the funding was reserved for students to appeal if they had expenses incurred above the amount initially awarded.  The appeal process was included in the award notification that was sent to students and parents with a direct link to the appeal form. This link for appeals was provided on RMU's CARES Act web page. All appeals were reviewed by the Vice President of Student Life and Senior Director of Financial Aid.  Additional funds were awarded to those that qualified. 

7) RMU's CARES Act web page provides our students with instructions, directions, and guidance concerning Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and to provide answers to FAQs.  RMU also created a COVID-19 web page to assist students and families with getting the most up to date information about the COVID-19 outbreak.

Quarterly Reporting

  • Final Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a) Institutional Portion. View PDF
  • Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for Quarter Ended March 31, 2021. View PDF
  • Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for Quarter Ended June 30, 2021. View PDF
  • Final Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for Quarter Ended September 30, 2021. View PDF

Students also received the following communication with instructions, directions, and guidance concerning Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Subject: CARES Act Funding Pending FAFSA

Hello! We hope this email finds you well.  RMU anticipates receiving federal stimulus funding through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act. Our intent is to use this funding to provide direct financial assistance to our current students.  Only FAFSA filers, however, can be considered. You do not need to show financial need to potentially qualify. Since you did not file a 2019-20 FAFSA, we wanted to encourage you to take this time to consider filing.  If interested, please file at FAFSA.GOV by May 8, 2020.  While on the site, we also encourage the filing of the 2020-21 FAFSA, which would be used to determine financial aid eligibility for next academic year.  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Regards,
RMU Financial Aid
Robert Morris University
Financial Aid Office
finaid@rmu.edu
412-397-6250

Subject: CARES Act Award Notification

Hello! We hope this email finds you well.  

RMU recently received federal stimulus funding through the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act and we have identified you as a recipient for the funds. Our intent is to use this funding to provide direct financial assistance to our currently enrolled students who meet the federal financial aid requirements. Payments should post soon and will be paid directly to you within 10 days. We are attempting to release funds in the most fair and equitable way possible; however, we understand that some within the RMU community may be experiencing substantial financial distress as a result of COVID-19. If you incurred financial implications greater than the amount already awarded to you, and you feel you should be considered for additional funding, we have a formal appeal process. Click here to apply for more funds.  Additional information can also be found online at CARES Act Information and FAQs

Direct deposit of the award into a checking account is the safest, quickest and most-efficient way to receive the funds when they are available. For instructions on setting up direct deposit through Single Sign-On, please click here. Students who do not elect direct deposit will have a paper check mailed to their home address.

Financial Aid Office
Robert Morris University
412-397-6250
finaid@rmu.edu