Cares Act Information

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act

Bluefield University 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.

Bluefield University received $345, 576 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Bluefield University distributed $345, 570 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 29, 2020.

A total of 425 students at Bluefield University were 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.

A total of 425 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Bluefield University created a weighted average matrix to calculate the matrix for distributing Emergency Financial Aid Grants. This matrix included 8 tiers factoring in the max Pell grant award a student did receive to the lowest tier of no federal assistance. See the matrix below. The method 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.

Levels	Amount to Each Student Per Category
Level 8 – received $6,000+ in Pell funds	$1,409.85
Level 7 – received $5,000-$5,999 in Pell funds	$1,253.20
Level 6 – received $4,000-$4,999 in Pell funds	$1,096.55
Level 5 – received $3,000-$3,999 in Pell funds	$939.90
Level 4 – received $2,000-$2,999 in Pell funds	$783.25
Level 3 – received $1,000-$1,999 in Pell funds	$626.60
Level 2 – received $1-$999 in Pell funds	$469.95
Level 1 – received $0 in Pell funds	$313.30
Level 0 – Non-Pell	$156.65

Students received multiple notifications by the institution via email concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. Students were asked to provide the most current mailing address or if an in-person pick-up for the check was preferred. In these communications, the date of distribution May 29th as well as the matrix was provided to help students determine their level of funding.