Graceland staff applied for and received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the Department of Education.
Graceland signed and returned the U.S. Department of Education Certification and Agreement in 2020 and confirms that Graceland will use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.
- The total amount of CARES funds received from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $3,023,695.
- The total amount of grants distributed to students from 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 30, 2022, is $3,023,695.
- Graceland preliminary reports reflect estimates 1,379 unique students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
- As encouraged by The Secretary of Education, Graceland prioritized students with a demonstrated financial need in setting award amounts.
- Funds must be used to cover 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 childcare).
To be considered for funding, students needed to apply. An online application form was posted on the internal website and advertised via emails to eligible students. Students were asked to identify the COVID related impact and identify if Graceland was authorized to apply any amount of grant dollars directly to their student account. Grants were made available via direct deposit or check.
Graceland staff continue to develop processes by which the remaining funds will be awarded. These numbers have been updated on July 8, 2020; Aug. 22, 2020; Oct. 29, 2020; Jan. 27, 2021; April 9, 2021; July 10, 2021; October 7, 2021; April 15, 2022; July 10, 2022.