In compliance with US Government regulations, WPSON must publish the following information with links to related quarterly budget and expenditure reports and monthly CARES Web statements. Links to these files are located at the bottom of this page.
The S.3548 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was
signed into law on March 27, 2020. $14.250 billion of the CAREs Act is funding provided to higher education institution to help higher education institutions and their students with any unforeseen expenses that they may have accrued due to the COVID-19. Each institution will receive an allotted amount per a calculation detailed in the S.3548 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act bill.
In June 2020, West Penn Hospital School of Nursing completed applications to participate in the three programs made eligible to our institution, Cares Act Section 18804 (a)(1): HEERF Student Aid Portion, Cares Act Section 18004 (a)(1): Institutional Aid Portion, and CARES Act Section 18004 (a)(3): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).
Total Allocated to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing: $141,886.00
Total Distributed to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing’s Students: $141,886.00
CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1): HEERF Student Aid Portion is funding provided directly to the student to aid in expenditures that they have accrued due the Corona virus pandemic.
West Penn Hospital School of Nursing (WPHSON) retains the discretion to determine the amount of each individual emergency financial aid grant consistent with all applicable laws including non-discrimination laws. WPHSON thoroughly reviewed each student’s financial aid file. Per direction and guidance set forth by the Department of Education WPHSON elected to determine a student’s CAREs Act award amount based on the student’s 2019/2020 Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Additional details were provided to the students via memo.
Total Allocated to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing: $223,211.00
Total Expenditures of Institutional Portion: $223,211.00
The CARES Act Section 18004(a)(1): HEERF Institutional Aid portion are funds the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Sections 18004(a)(1) and 18004(c) of the CARES Act, which address the HEERF, allow institutions of higher education to use up to 50 percent of the funds they receive to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus so long as such costs do not include payment to contractors for the provision of pre-enrollment recruitment activities, including marketing and advertising; endowments; or capital outlays associated with facilities related to athletics, sectarian instruction, or religious worship.
On October 13, 2020 the US Department of Education released further guidance regarding the reporting requirement for the Institutional Aid funding. All institutions participating in the HEERF Institutional Aid program are required to submit reports on a quarterly basis.
Total Allocated to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing: $358,115.00
Total Expenditure of FIPSE Funds: $358,115.00
The CARES Act Section 18004(a)(3): Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) is funding made available to Public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education that are eligible under Part B of Title VII of the HEA and received less than $500,000 total from HEERF (a)(1) and (a)(2) programs.
Total Allocated to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing: $392,184.00
Total Distributed to West Penn Hospital School of Nursing Students: $196,092.00
Total Institutional Expenditures to Date: $196,092.00
Total Expenditures to Date: $392,184.00
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 - H.R.1319 (ARP) included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education. Each institution will receive an allotted amount per a calculation detailed in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) bill.
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing (WPHSON) retains the discretion to determine the amount of each individual emergency financial aid grant consistent with all applicable laws including non-discrimination laws. WPHSON thoroughly reviewed each student’s financial aid file. Per direction and guidance set forth by the Department of Education. WPHSON elected to determine a student’s ARP Act (HEERF III) award amount based off of the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on their 2021/2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional details were provided to students via memo.
In May 2020, the US Department of Education announced a 30 day reporting requirement for all institutions participating in the HEERF Student Aid program. As of August 31, 2020, the reporting requirement has been changed to a quarterly basis. On October 13, 2020 the US Department of Education released further guidance regarding the reporting requirement for the Institutional Aid funding. All institutions participating in the HEERF FIPSE program are required to submit reports on a quarterly basis. Below are the necessary reports to meet the Department of Education’s reporting requirements.
The Department of Education has set up a Q&A site for frequently asked questions. The Q&A site can be accessed via this site https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/heerf18004a1cfaq-crrsaadisc.pdf
