The CARES Act makes emergency funds available to students affected by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Purpose

The CARES Act, which established and funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), has set aside funding to help educational institutions and their students. These funds were established to cover “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.’’ Luther Seminary has been allocated $37,066 for COVID-19 pandemic relief using a formula based on student enrollment. This has been designated to provide students with emergency financial aid grants to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

Who and what is eligible for CARES Act grants?

• Students who were registered for Luther Seminary courses on or after March 13, 2020, and who are not specifically excluded under the terms of the CARES Act
• U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens with a valid Social Security number as defined by Title IV
• Funding can only support student expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to: food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, unexpected travel and lodging, counseling.
• Eligible students may receive funds in two ways:
  • Students had the opportunity to apply for a maximum of $1,000 per eligible student for significant expenses. The amount of funds disbursed to each applicant was determined by the Luther Seminary Care Team. This process is now closed.
  • All eligible students enrolled in the spring or summer semesters will receive a $100 baseline award.
• Estimated number of students eligible to apply for grants: 348

Who and what is not eligible under the terms of the CARES Act grants?

• Students enrolled in noncredit courses or less than half time
• International students
• DACA students
• Students enrolled in an exclusively online program
• Students who did not file a 2019-2020 FAFSA or submit an alternative attestation with the Luther Seminary business office by the September 28, 2020, deadline.

How will eligible students receive their cash payment?

If you are eligible, you will receive payment through our normal refund process or check.

Selection Criteria

For the majority of the funds, students must have been enrolled in Spring 2020 semester on March 13 or in the Summer 2020 semester at least half time. Students must be eligible for Title IV funds under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and must not be enrolled in an exclusively online program of study on March 13, 2020.

Other helpful information

• All questions or concerns should be submitted to deanofstudents@luthersem.edu.
• Funding from this opportunity does not need to be repaid.
• Funding cannot be used to pay outstanding balances to Luther Seminary.
• Funding from the CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund may be considered a taxable transaction and could be reportable to the IRS.
• All award payments will be sent directly to the student. 

Assertion

Luther Seminary has received these federal grants as a result of our application for the CARES Act funds under the Higher Education Relief Funds in the CARES Act. The seminary has signed and agreed to the CARES Act Certification and Agreement documenting and assuring that the institution has used, or intends to 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.

Student Portion Award Status (September 30, 2020)

Total awards: 131
Amount disbursed: $16,700.00

Quarterly Report: Quarter ending September 30, 2020

On October 30, Luther Seminary released its Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting form, which covers the institutional funds awarded through the CARES Act.

Information updated October 30, 2020