The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to assist students who incurred costs related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. La Sierra University signed and returned the certification and agreement form and was given $1,072,090 to distribute to students as emergency grants in both rounds of HEERF I and HEERF II. The university received $3,172,066 in HEERF III as emergency grants and awards to students began in Fall 2021. In all rounds of HEERF, La Sierra University was also awarded an Institutional Portion to help cover costs associated with lost income after the closure of campus in late March, 2020. The Emergency Student Aid (ESA) Committee was established to oversee the distribution of funds for students. Campus-wide email announcements were used to advertise the availability of funds with instructions to complete the application.

When the ESA Committee began to award HEERF I, approximately 1,515 La Sierra University students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In total 729 students received $1,072,090 under HEERF I.

When the ESA Committee began to award HEERF II, approximately 1,372 La Sierra University students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In total 686 students received $1,072,090 under HEERF II.When the ESA Committee began to award HEERF III, approximately 1,696 La Sierra University students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. In total, 1,047 students received $3,172,066 under HEERF III. The ESA Committee has concluded the review of Spring Quarter applications. All admitted registered students at the time of review received an award until funds were exhausted. At this time, the HEERF application is closed.

The amount of each grant was calculated by an intricate algorithmic formula which gave weighted value to answers from the application, enrollment status, and other need indicators to rank students by need. Each application was carefully reviewed by the ESA Committee to ensure that awards were fairly distributed.

In a shift from the previous administration, the Department of Education released new guidance for HEERF III which allowed undocumented students, those enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and international students to access the emergency grants. The HEERF III application was available to all admitted registered students.

Even though this program is now over, students who find themselves in financial hardships can apply for Emergency Student Aid by filling out an online application. The Emergency Student Aid Committee will review each application and make awards on a case-by-case basis and based on fund availability. Emergency Student Aid funds are provided by generous donors of La Sierra University. To contribute to this fund, please donate here: lasierra.edu/donate/.