Frequently Asked Questions – COVID-19

Finances and Financial Aid

• How has Graceland used federal funds received under the CARES Act?

  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.

  1. The total amount of CARES funds received from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $3,023,695.
  2. The total amount of grants distributed to students from 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of April 15, 2022 $3,000,415.
  3. Graceland estimates 2,065 students were eligible to receive grant dollars. The total number who have received a grant is 1,379.
     • As encouraged by The Secretary of Education, Graceland prioritized students with a demonstrated financial need in setting award amounts.
  4. 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; and April 15, 2022.

  • HEERF Quarterly Report October 2020 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report January 2021 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report April 2021 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report July 2021 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report October 2021 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report January 2022 (pdf)
  • HEERF Quarterly Report April 2022 (pdf)

Campus and Facilities

• Are the Lamoni and Independence Campuses Open?

  Both campuses are open to the public, effective June 1, 2021. Masks are now optional (though still recommended in areas where social distancing is not possible) in all areas except for educational spaces (e.g. classrooms, laboratories, studios, rehearsal rooms, etc.) where masking will continue to be mandatory regardless of vaccination status.

  Additionally, please follow CDC guidelines and seek medical advice before returning to Lamoni.

  residencelife@graceland.edu
  Switchboard 1.641.784.5000