CARES Act Information

May 20, 2020

Mars Hill University made a decision in early May to refund, on a prorated basis, a portion of room and board (including commuter meal plans) to students affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Shortly after that, we learned that the U.S. Department of Education has provided additional funding for student assistance through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. These funds ($853,850) are designated to be distributed directly to students that have been impacted by campus shutdowns due to coronavirus.

We have worked diligently to calculate the distribution of these funds in an expedient manner. Every qualified Mars Hill student will receive a portion of the CARES Act funding. We look forward to getting this to you and helping with financial burdens you may be facing.

The funding will be distributed via direct deposit or check within the next 14 days. A student who has not set up his/her direct deposit information for refunds, reimbursements and payments, can go to self-service and enter the needed banking data.  This is separate data from work study.   Colleague self-service requires students who may have banking information in the system for work study to also add the banking information for refunds, reimbursements and payments.

The CARES ACT/ Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money was distributed directly to students based on 8 categories (AGS full-time, AGS part-time, Graduate, Undergraduate that receives aid money to cover EFC (Expected Family Contribution as determined by your FAFSA), Traditional student that has an EFC over $3K, Traditional student that has an EFC between $0-$3K, Traditional student that has $0 EFC, and students with funding from the VA). Students that had a lower EFC received more CARES money to assist with their financial need.

45-day report for receipt of CARES Act Higher Education Relief Funding

Mars Hill University is providing the following information as required by the U.S. Department of Education.  This report is provided 45 days after the university’s initial 30-day report.

• Mars Hill University administrative staff members have signed and returned the certification and agreement form for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Mars Hill has used the funds received through the CARES Act to provide the mandated amount of at least 50 percent of the emergency financial aid grants to students.
• Mars Hill University has received $853,850 under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund student portion. Of that amount, $853,850 has been distributed to students as of July 9, 2020.
• Mars Hill University determined that 843 students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and were therefore eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant.
• 843 students have received an emergency financial aid grant as July 9, 2020.
• The CARES ACT/ Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money was distributed directly to students based on 8 categories (AGS full-time, AGS part-time, Graduate, Undergraduate that receives aid money to cover EFC (Expected Family Contribution as determined by your FAFSA), Traditional student that has an EFC over $3K, Traditional student that has an EFC between $0-$3K, Traditional student that has $0 EFC, and students with funding from the VA). Students that had a lower EFC received more CARES money to assist with their financial need.
• Any non-international Mars Hill student, traditional or AGS, that has filled out a FAFSA will receive a minimum $250.00 financial disbursement. Students in different categories (Full-time, Residential, Graduate, Part-time, Commuter) will receive funding that reflects their classification.
• Under the regulations of the CARES act, International Students and those that have not filled out a FAFSA are not qualified to receive the distribution.
• Funding will be distributed via direct deposit or check within the next 14 days. A student who has not set up his/her direct deposit information for refunds, reimbursements and payments, can go to self-service and enter the needed banking data. This is separate data from work study. Colleague self-service requires students who may have banking information in the system for work study to also add the banking information for refunds, reimbursements and payments.

30-day report for receipt of CARES Act Higher Education Relief Funding

Mars Hill University is providing the following information as required by the U.S. Department of Education. This information is provided 30 days after the university’s initial receipt of funding under the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

• Mars Hill University administrative staff members have signed and returned the certification and agreement form for the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Mars Hill has used the funds received through the CARES Act to provide the mandated amount of at least 50 percent of the emergency financial aid grants to students.
• Mars Hill University has received $853,850 under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund student portion. Of that amount, $0 has been distributed to students as of May 25, 2020.
• Mars Hill University determined that 843 students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and were therefore eligible to receive an emergency financial aid grant.
• Less than 10 students have received an emergency financial aid grant as of May 25, 2020
• The CARES ACT/ Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund money was distributed directly to students based on 8 categories (AGS full-time, AGS part-time, Graduate, Undergraduate that receives aid money to cover EFC (Expected Family Contribution as determined by your FAFSA), Traditional student that has an EFC over $3K, Traditional student that has an EFC between $0-$3K, Traditional student that has $0 EFC, and students with funding from the VA). Students that had a lower EFC received more CARES money to assist with their financial need.
• Any non-international Mars Hill student, traditional or AGS, that has filled out a FAFSA will receive a minimum $250.00 financial disbursement. Students in different categories (Full-time, Residential, Graduate, Part-time, Commuter) will receive funding that reflects their classification.
• Under the regulations of the CARES act, International Students and those that have not filled out a FAFSA are not qualified to receive the distribution.
• Funding will be distributed via direct deposit or check within the next 14 days. A student who has not set up his/her direct deposit information for refunds, reimbursements and payments, can go to self-service and enter the needed banking data. This is separate data from work study. Colleague self-service requires students who may have banking information in the system for work study to also add the banking information for refunds, reimbursements and payments.