HEERF Funding - Institutional Use

Last updated 12/31/2022     Go to Federal Aid Summary Page  

Higher Education Institutional Portion Funding

Chico State received $9,979,695 in Institutional Portion funding made possible through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in May 2020. Subsequent awards were issued in 2021 with $21,624,160 received through the CRRSA Act and $27,514,807 through the ARP Act for a total of $59,118,662 in Institutional Portion funding received.

To date, $51,539,735 has been drawn down to be used for the following:

• Emergency aid block grants to students
• To reimburse the university for lost revenue
• Technology costs
• Additional courses to accommodate smaller class sizes
• COVID testing
• Mentoring and student wellness
• Various costs associated with the pandemic

In June 2021, to help our campus discover areas in need of funding and determine the most effective use of a portion of the ARPA award, we accepted Institutional Use HEERF Funding Requests from faculty, staff and organizations associated with our university and received over 100 proposals totaling almost $24 million. A committee representing all areas of campus reviewed the proposals extensively, extended recommendations to the university president and Cabinet, and awardees were notified in early August. Over 40 proposals were awarded adding up to nearly $9 million. A breakdown of the funding categories is shown below:

*This was in addition to over $52 million awarded to students through emergency grants to date.

All projects that were awarded funds were carefully vetted for compliance with the federal stimulus legislation and Department of Education guidance. We appreciate the time and effort put into preparing and reviewing all proposals, and look forward to the positive impacts this funding will have on our campus.

For more details on the breakdown of the expenditures, please refer to the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports linked on our Federal Aid Summary Page.(opens in new window)

Guidance on the Use of Institutional Portion Funding

Pursuant to H.R. 748 (CARES Act), section 18004(c), CSU campuses may use monies to cover costs incurred associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Costs must be incurred on or after March 13, 2020 to be eligible. Examples of allowable uses permitted under the broad institutional authority granted by the CARES Act include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education, faculty and staff trainings, payroll costs, and emergency financial aid grants to students for their expenses.

Section 18006 of the CARES Act provides further guidance regarding the use of monies provided under by act, stating that institutions of higher education shall to the greatest extent practicable continue to pay its employees and contractors (e.g. auxiliary organizations) during the period of any disruptions or closures related to coronavirus.

For complete, up-to-date guidelines, please see the following Department of Education websites:

CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I)(opens in new window)
CRRSA Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)(opens in new window)
ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)(opens in new window)

Given the high-profile nature of this funding, be alert for phishing attacks. Remember, Chico State will never ask you to email/text your password or ask you to verify your banking information via email.