CARES Act FAQs for Brandman University

Find information on Brandman University's eligibility requirements and application process for the CARES Act funding.

Brandman University has received funds totaling $1,196,618 -- of which $ 598,309 is for student grants -- from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by the U. S. Congress in March 2020. As part of the CARES Act, the Department of Education created the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). CARES Act funding is to assist students impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides assistance “for the sole and exclusive purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.” This funding cannot be used to cover tuition.

Eligibility Requirements:

Enrolled at Brandman University during Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1 or Summer 2
Registered for at least 1 unit during that enrollment period
Students living in California, Washington or enrolled in the EdD or DNP programs. Eligibility criteria include expenses related to the move from on-ground to online. CA, WA, EdD and DNP students could all have an on-ground component to their courses
A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Maintaining satisfactory academic progress
Not owe a refund on grants received by a Title IV institution of higher education
Not be in default on a Perkins loan or any Title IV loan, and
Not be convicted of a drug-related offense while receiving financial aid

Approved Expenses:

Technology (computer, hardware, software, internet access etc.)
COVID-19 related healthcare expenses for self or family members

Allocation and Distribution:

Students must complete the CARES Act Emergency Grant Application and sign indicating the information provided is accurate.

Completed applications must be received no later than September 11, 2020 in order to be considered for funding.

Individual awards will range from $300 to $1,000
Funding is limited, and will be awarded based on the submission date of the application and a review of identified need and eligibility
Students must meet the eligibility requirements (see above)
All CARES Act payments will be made by paper check
To ensure timely delivery of the paper check, students must verify their address on file to ensure it is correct and up to date. To do so, students must log into Brandman University’s Self Service portal and click on “Personal Information”, then click on “Update Addresses and Phones” and then update the “Mailing Address”, if needed
Cares Act Funding disbursements to eligible students will begin the week of September 28, 2020

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Expenditure Reporting – September 30, 2020

Brandman University has agreed to and certified that it intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Brandman University has received a total of $598,309 pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Brandman University has distributed $598,309 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of September 30, 2020.
The estimated total number of students at Brandman University who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to apply for and receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was 6,219.
A total of 954 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of September 30, 2020.
Brandman University notified students in a letter and opened an application period on August 18, 2020 for students to request an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the CARES Act. The application deadline was September 11, 2020. The letter, which outlines eligibility, can be found here.
A Frequently Asked Questions document was compiled by Brandman University concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants and posted below.

CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants Expenditure Reporting – December 31, 2020

Brandman University has agreed to and certified that it intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Brandman University has received a total of $598,309 pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Brandman University has distributed $598,309 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of December 31, 2020.
The estimated total number of students at Brandman University who were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to apply for and receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act was 6,219.
A total of 954 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of December 31, 2020.
Brandman University notified students in a letter and opened an application period on August 18, 2020 for students to request an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under the CARES Act. The application deadline was September 11, 2020. The letter, which outlines eligibility, can be found here.
A Frequently Asked Questions document was compiled by Brandman University concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants and posted below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

Students enrolled at Brandman University during Spring 1, Spring 2, Summer 1 or Summer 2. Students living in California or Washington, or those enrolled in the EdD or DNP programs and eligible for financial aid.

If I did not complete a FAFSA for 2019-2020, can I still apply?

Yes, but you must complete a new FAFSA and submit it to Brandman University.

Do I need to apply to receive CARES Act aid?

Yes, you will need to apply no later than September 11, 2020 in order to receive CARES Act aid. The CARES Act Emergency Grant Application can be found here.

What if I need more emergency funding?

Brandman University has received funds totaling $1,196,618 of which $ 598,309 is for student grants from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by the U. S. Congress in March 2020. Due to the limited aid amount, CARES Act student aid awards will range from $300 to $1,000, depending on the number of eligible students qualifying for the funds. Students who know they may need CARES Act funds are encouraged to apply promptly. Generally, a single award is given to each applicant selected based on the submission date of the application and a review of identified need and eligibility. Students who know they may need more funding should contact their One Stop Specialist for a review of your financing options.

Are undocumented students eligible?

No. Receipt of CARES Act funds is limited to U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens. To receive a student aid award under the CARES Act, the student must be eligible to receive federal student aid under Title IV of the HEA. To be eligible for student aid under Title IV, students must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. To see more information on who qualifies as an eligible non-citizen visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens.

Are students who withdrew from classes eligible?

Students must be enrolled in at least one credit at Brandman University in the semester in which they are applying to receive an emergency financial aid grant.

General

How is my aid amount determined?

Cares Act funding will be determined based on the total amount available and the number of students who apply. Individual students will receive grants of between $300.00 and $1,000.00.

Will this change my financial aid for 2020-2021?

No.

When completing the FAFSA, are the verification documents required to be completed, or will just the application itself suffice?

Students are not required to complete the verification process in order to be eligible. They need a FAFSA for either 19/20 or 20/21 and have to meet the following requirements:

Section 484 of the HEA states that Title IV eligible students must:

Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program.
Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress.
Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
File "as part of the original financial aid application process" a certification that includes:
- A statement of educational purpose.
- Student's SSN.
Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
Have Selective Service registration verified.
Have Social Security Number verified.
Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Do I need to document expenses?

We are not asking you to submit documentation at this time but do request you maintain your documentation for verification and review, as needed.

Is this grant included in my gross income?

No.

Why haven’t I received any aid payments yet?

Brandman University recently received the funds, and clarified the criteria for eligibility based on guidance provided by the Department of Education. Based on this further clarification we are now able to offer CARES funding for these two categories: technology and COVID related health care expenses for self or family.

How will I get my aid payment?

Your CARES Act grant will be paid by paper check and will be mailed to the address on file with the University. To ensure timely delivery of your paper check, you must verify your address on file to ensure it is correct and up to date. To do so, log into Brandman University’s Self Service portal and click on “Personal Information”, then click on “Update Addresses and Phones” and then update the “Mailing Address”, if needed.

I have outstanding charges on my student account. Will this grant reduce those charges?

No, the grant cannot be used to cover tuition charges and it will be processed as a direct payment to you. This disbursement will not be reflected on your student account.

Will this payment count as income for my financial aid next year?

No.

Do I need to repay CARES Act aid?

No.

When will I get my payment?

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 14, 2020. We anticipate disbursements to eligible students will begin the week of September 28, 2020.

Who should I contact for further questions?

Please contact your One Stop Specialist.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

If I did not complete a FAFSA for 2019-2020, can I still apply?

Yes, but you must complete a new FAFSA and submit it to Brandman University.

Do I need to apply to receive CARES Act aid?

Yes, you will need to apply no later than September 11, 2020 in order to receive CARES Act aid. The CARES Act Emergency Grant Application can be found here.

What if I need more emergency funding?

Are undocumented students eligible?

Are students who withdrew from classes eligible?

Students must be enrolled in at least one credit at Brandman University in the semester in which they are applying to receive an emergency financial aid grant.

General

How is my aid amount determined?

Cares Act funding will be determined based on the total amount available and the number of students who apply. Individual students will receive grants of between $300.00 and $1,000.00.

Will this change my financial aid for 2020-2021?

No.

When completing the FAFSA, are the verification documents required to be completed, or will just the application itself suffice?

Students are not required to complete the verification process in order to be eligible. They need a FAFSA for either 19/20 or 20/21 and have to meet the following requirements:

Section 484 of the HEA states that Title IV eligible students must:

Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program.
Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school.
For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress.
Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans.
Not be in default on a Title IV loan.
File "as part of the original financial aid application process" a certification that includes:
- A statement of educational purpose.
- Student's SSN.
Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible noncitizen.
Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges.
Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits.
Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently.
Have Selective Service registration verified.
Have Social Security Number verified.
Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Do I need to document expenses?

We are not asking you to submit documentation at this time but do request you maintain your documentation for verification and review, as needed.

Is this grant included in my gross income?

No.

Why haven’t I received any aid payments yet?

How will I get my aid payment?

I have outstanding charges on my student account. Will this grant reduce those charges?

No, the grant cannot be used to cover tuition charges and it will be processed as a direct payment to you. This disbursement will not be reflected on your student account.

Will this payment count as income for my financial aid next year?

No.

Do I need to repay CARES Act aid?

No.

When will I get my payment?

Applications will be reviewed beginning September 14, 2020. We anticipate disbursements to eligible students will begin the week of September 28, 2020.

Who should I contact for further questions?

Please contact your One Stop Specialist.

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