COVID Relief Aid Reporting

Institutional Funds Report

There were no institutional funds to report for this quarter.

Student Funds Report

The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department. The Department will provide instructions for providing the required information to the Secretary in the near future. In the meantime, each HEERF participating institution must post the information listed below on the institution’s primary website. The Department would like to receive the most current information from the date when the institution received its allocation for emergency financial aid grants to students, and the institution should have received its allocation within a few days after submitting the Certification and Agreement. Accordingly, the following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 18004(a)(1) and updated every 45 days thereafter:

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or 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.

On April 17, 2020 Dr. Rodney D. Bennett, President of The University of Southern Mississippi, signed the Certification and Agreement of the CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants agreeing to use 50 percent of the funds as direct payment to students. On April 21, 2020, the agreement was electronically submitted to the Department via the Grants.gov portal.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

On April 26, 2020, The University of Southern Mississippi received $6,753,021 in CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants to distribute directly to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

As of May 26, 2020, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $3,097,500.00.

As of June 26, 2020, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $6,753,021.00. Student portion of CARES Funds have been exhausted.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Of the 13,509 students with an active Spring 2020 term, 11,372 students were potentially eligible; 2,137 were not eligible because of enrollment in an exclusively online program. Of the 11,372 potentially eligible, it was determined that 2,996 were not eligible because of other issues such as FAFSA completion, satisfactory academic progress, citizenship and other Title IV problems. When awarding began, 8,376 were eligible to receive the CARES Act Grant. Students were encouraged to resolve Title IV issues, and some became eligible as the awarding progressed.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 26, 2020, 6,195 students have received the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

As of June 26, 2020, 6,671 students have received the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Because only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are eligible for the emergency financial aid grants, we decided to require a 2019-2020 FAFSA to expedite processing. Our method used to process Emergency Financial Aid Grants can be found here.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Details of The University of Southern Mississippi’s instructions, directions, or guidance can be found here.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 1st Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

There were no student funds to report for this quarter. No student portions funds remain to award, exhausted allocation as of June 26, 2020.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 2nd Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

There were no student funds to report for this quarter. No student portions funds remain to award, exhausted allocation as of June 26, 2020.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 3rd Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

On January 14, 2021 Dr. Rodney D. Bennett, President of The University of Southern Mississippi received notice of the availability of CRRSAA HEERF COVID funds. Institutions that already have CARES Act-HEERF awards under both the Student Portion (CFDA 84.425E) and Institutional Portion (CFDA 84.425F) funding opportunities do not need to submit additional applications. Over the next few weeks, the Department will automatically process your additional funding as supplements to your existing grant awards. However, note that the new funds are subject to a different agreement than the original CARES Act Certification and Agreements. As such, we have included language in the Grant Award Notification (GAN) stipulating that drawing down any amount of these supplemental funds constitutes your institution’s acceptance of the new Supplemental Agreement for that program. For reference, examples of the new Supplemental Agreements for the Student Aid Portion and Institutional Portion grants are available in our notice announcing the availability of these new funds in our Federal Register notice here (January 15, 2021) and will be included with the GAN when each supplemental award is made. In addition, your GAN includes language that explains how the CRRSAA has modified your Certifications and Agreements for your existing CARES Act awards, for funds that remain unobligated (unspent) as of December 27, 2020.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

On January 15th, The University of Southern Mississippi received an allocation of $6,753,021 in CRRSAA funds to distribute directly to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA program as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter)

As of March 23, 2021, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $6,753,021.00. Student portion of CRRSAA Funds have been exhausted.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA program.

Of the 13,897 students with an active Spring 2021 term, 12,973 students were potentially eligible. 11,697 total applications were received.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA program.

As of March 23, 2021, 10,873 students have received the CRRSAA student funds.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA program.

The Office of Financial Aid determined student eligibility based on enrollment status for the Spring 2021 term. These are the students who were communicated to regarding the availability of funds and how to apply.

The online application consisted of two questions:

1. I certify that I have experienced financial need due to the on-going pandemic.
2. I Authorize the University of Southern Miss to apply my CRRSAA financial aid grant to my student account to offset any prior or current institutional charges, which have occurred on or after December 27th, 2020

As applications were received, the Office of Financial Aid awarded students a set amount, as determined by their FAFSA EFC, giving larger award amounts to Pell Grant EFC ranges to give priority to the neediest students as designated by the Department of Education. Award amounts were as follows...

EFC Range	Initial Award Amount
$0	$750
$1-$5711	$650
$5712 and Above	$400
No FAFSA	$400

Awarding continued twice a week until the deadline to apply, March 15th, 2021, had passed. The remaining allocation was then distributed to students with the most need.

Ending award amounts and how many students received that award amount are listed below.

Award Amount	Student Count	Total Amount Awarded
$400	4857	$1,942,800
$650	3	$1,950
$740	2239	$1,656,860
$750	321	$240,750
$761	1	$761
$840	3348	$2,812,320
$850	2	$1,700
$940	102	$95,880
TOTALS	10,873	$6,753,021

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Students were communicated to through their USM Email Account and SOAR account to complete the COVID ARP Application online by the stated deadline. They had the choice to have the funds distributed directly to them or applied to balances.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 4th Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

There were no student funds to report for this quarter. HEERF II funds depleted and HEERF III not processed yet.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 5th Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The University of Southern Mississippi received an allocation of $19,121,660.00 in ARP funds to distribute directly to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of September 30, 2021, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $3,817,989.00.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

For the Summer 2021 semester, 5540 students were determined to be eligible for ARP funds.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of September 30, 2021, 4,318 students have received the ARP student funds.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The Office of Financial Aid determined student eligibility based on enrollment status for the Summer 2021 term. These are the students who were communicated to regarding the availability of funds and how to apply.

The online application consisted of two questions:

1. I certify that I have experienced financial need due to the on-going pandemic.
2. I Authorize the University of Southern Miss to apply my COVID ARP Relief grant to my student account to offset any current institutional charges.

As summer applications were received, the Office of Financial Aid awarded students a set amount, as determined by their FAFSA EFC, giving larger award amounts to Pell Grant EFC ranges to give priority to the neediest students as designated by the Department of Education. Award amounts were as follows:

EFC Range	Award Amount
$0	$1,400
$1 - $5,711	$1,000
$5,712 - $10,000	$800
$10,000 and Above or No FAFSA	$500
$10,000 and Above or No FAFSA	$989*

*Additional funds given to student who submitted supporting documentation of additional impacts endured due to the pandemic.

Summer 2021 ending award amounts and how many students received that award amount are listed below.

Award Amount	Student Count	Total Amount Awarded
$1,400	1,294	$1,811,600
$1,000	806	$806,000
$989*	1	$989
$800	303	$242,400
$500	1914	$957,500
TOTALS	4318	$3,817,989

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Students were communicated to through their USM Email Account and SOAR account to complete the COVID ARP Application online by the stated deadline. They had the choice to have the funds distributed directly to them or applied to balances.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 6th Quarterly Report

HEERF 6th Quarterly Report Update

Student Funds Report

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The University of Southern Mississippi received an allocation of $19,121,660.00 in ARP funds to distribute directly to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of December 31, 2021, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $11,524,839.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

For the Fall 2021 semester, 14,061 students were determined to be eligible for ARP funds.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of December 31, 2021, 11,654 students have received the ARP student funds.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The Office of Financial Aid determined student eligibility based on enrollment status for the Fall 2021 term. These are the students who were communicated to regarding the availability of funds and how to apply.

The online application consisted of two questions:

1. I certify that I have experienced financial need due to the on-going pandemic.
2. I Authorize the University of Southern Miss to apply my COVID ARP Relief grant to my student account to offset any current institutional charges.

As Fall applications were received, the Office of Financial Aid awarded students a set amount, as determined by their FAFSA EFC, giving larger award amounts to Pell Grant EFC ranges to give priority to the neediest students as designated by the Department of Education. Award amounts were as follows:

EFC Range	Award Amount Enrollment > 1/2 Time	Award Amount Enrollment <1/2 Time
$0	$900	$450
$1 - $5,846	$700	$350
$5,847 - $10,000	$600	$300
$10,001 and Above or No FAFSA	$500	$250

Fall 2021 ending award amounts and how many students received that award amount are listed below.

Award Amount	Student Counter	Total Amount Awarded
$900	3,550	$3,195,000
$700	2,362	$1,653,400
$600	768	$460,800
$500	4,536	$2,268,000
$450	65	$29,250
$350	64	$22,400
$300	15	$4,500
$250	294	$73,500
TOTALS	11,654	$7,706,850

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Students were communicated to through their USM Email Account and SOAR account to complete the COVID ARP Application online by the stated deadline. They had the choice to have the funds distributed directly to them or applied to balances.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 7th Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report

1. An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP program to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The University of Southern Mississippi received an allocation of $19,121,660.00 in ARP funds to distribute directly to students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).

As of March 31, 2022, The University of Southern Mississippi has distributed $19,121,660.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

For the Spring 2022 semester, 13,414 students were determined to be eligible for ARP funds.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

As of March 31, 2022, 11,027 students have received the ARP student funds.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

The Office of Financial Aid determined student eligibility based on enrollment status for the Soring 2022 term. These are the students who were communicated to regarding the availability of funds and how to apply.

The online application consisted of two questions:

1. I certify that I have experienced financial need due to the on-going pandemic.
2. I Authorize the University of Southern Miss to apply my COVID ARP Relief grant to my student account to offset any current institutional charges.

As Fall applications were received, the Office of Financial Aid awarded students a set amount, as determined by their FAFSA EFC, giving larger award amounts to Pell Grant EFC ranges to give priority to the neediest students as designated by the Department of Education. Award amounts were as follows:

EFC Range	Award Amount Enrollment > 1/2 Time	Award Amount Enrollment < 1/2 Time
$0	$932	$466
	$959**
	$1,005**
$1 - $5,846	$732	$366
$5,847 - $10,000	$632	$316
$10,001 and Above or No FAFSA	$530	$265

**Additional awards given to Pell recipients to exhaust allocation.

Spring 2022 ending award amounts and how many students received that award amount are listed below.

Award Amount	Student Count	Total Amount Awarded
$1,005**	1	$1,005
$959**	66	$63,294
$932	3,217	$2,998,244
$732	2,214	$1,620,648
$632	733	$463,256
$530	4,353	$2,307,090
$466	78	$36,348
$366	91	$33,306
$316	20	$6,320
$265	254	$67,310
TOTALS	11,027	$7,596,821

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Students were communicated to through their USM Email Account and SOAR account to complete the COVID ARP Application online by the stated deadline. They had the choice to have the funds distributed directly to them or applied to balances.

Institutional Funds Report

HEERF 8th Quarterly Report

Student Funds Report