As of June 30, 2021
The information below is provided in compliance with the Department of Education’s CRRSAA Reporting requirements. The information in this report was compiled as of June 30, 2021 and will be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, and December 31, March 31, June 30) thereafter.
Northern Illinois University acknowledges that it signed and returned the federal certification and agreement to receive CRRSAA funding agreed to use no less than the required amount(s) under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The university received $7,412,590 million from the U.S. Department of Education for CRRSAA emergency financial aid grants to be distributed to students.
As of June 30, 2021, NIU had distributed $6,187,500 directly to students, in accordance with the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
For Quarter 2 (4/1/21-6/30/21), NIU distributed $3,200 in accordance with the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs
NIU has approximately 22,299 students eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
The CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs provide emergency financial aid grant funds to address the financial need of students due to the disruption of campus operations and the related expenses they incurred. Therefore, the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs limited the eligibility of emergency grants to students who were actively participating in courses and programs on or after March 13, 2020.
Within the total population, institutions were instructed to determine eligibility criteria for distribution of the grant and encouraged to prioritize students with greatest need.
As of June 30, 2021, an additional 4 students had received CRRSAA funds bringing the total to 7,651 eligible students.
Some students received funds through both programs.
The university has established various criteria for populations of students to be awarded CARES grants without an application for the grant.
The university assessed eligibility using the following criteria:
The university also established criteria for a student emergency fund grant, to which students could submit applications for funds. NIU moved swiftly to develop methodology and began disbursing emergency grants after the passage of the CARES Act to students via an electronic application process that was made available through university announcements, posted on its primary website and emailed to all students. Applicants were required to provide a reason for the grant request. A committee of faculty and staff reviewed and approved or denied each application. Students who noted a change in need or loss of personal or family income were prioritized as a student of greatest need. The change in income was not the basis for the grant amount, but rather the basis to recognize the barrier to meet expenses related to the disruption in campus operations. Students were eligible to receive a maximum award of $500 through this program.
Students received an email on March 9, 2021 informing them that NIU had received CRRSAA funds and would distribute automatic grants in the amount of $800 to students with the greatest need and impact. Students were notified of their eligibility for the automatic grant via their NIU email. Qualified students who were informed that they would be receiving funds were encouraged to log in to their MyNIU account to designate if they wanted the grant as a refund or if they wanted to opt into applying toward an outstanding account balance.
The NIU Student Emergency Grant program was open and the students were notified by email on the following dates:
A set of FAQ was also established and posted online to provide further guidance about eligibility and distribution.
Students were also notified that all students, regardless of CRRSAA grant eligibility, were able to apply for emergency assistance through the Student Emergency Fund. Funding is limited.
As of March 31, 2021
The information below is provided in compliance with the Department of Education’s CRRSAA Reporting requirements. The information in this report was compiled as of March 31, 2021 and will be updated no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, and December 31, March 31, June 30) thereafter.
Northern Illinois University acknowledges that it signed and returned the federal certification and agreement to receive CRRSAA funding agreed to use no less than the required amount(s) under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The university received $7,412,590 million from the U.S. Department of Education for CRRSAA emergency financial aid grants to be distributed to students.
As of March 31, 2021, NIU had distributed $6,184,300 directly to students, in accordance with the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
NIU has approximately 21,869 students eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants under CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
The CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs provide emergency financial aid grant funds to address the financial need of students due to the disruption of campus operations and the related expenses they incurred. Therefore, the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs limited the eligibility of emergency grants to students who were actively participating in courses and programs on or after March 13, 2020.
Within the total population, institutions were instructed to determine eligibility criteria for distribution of the grant and encouraged to prioritize students with greatest need.
As of March 31, 2021, NIU had distributed CRRSAA funds to 7,647 eligible students.
Some students received funds through both programs.
The university has established various criteria for populations of students to be awarded CARES grants without an application for the grant.
The university assessed eligibility using the following criteria:
The university also established criteria for a student emergency fund grant, to which students could submit applications for funds. NIU moved swiftly to develop methodology and began disbursing emergency grants after the passage of the CARES Act to students via an electronic application process that was made available through university announcements, posted on its primary website and emailed to all students. Applicants were required to provide a reason for the grant request. A committee of faculty and staff reviewed and approved or denied each application. Students who noted a change in need or loss of personal or family income were prioritized as a student of greatest need. The change in income was not the basis for the grant amount, but rather the basis to recognize the barrier to meet expenses related to the disruption in campus operations. Students were eligible to receive a maximum award of $500 through this program.
Students received an email on March 9, 2021 informing them that NIU had received CRRSAA funds and would distribute automatic grants in the amount of $800 to students with the greatest need and impact. Students were notified of their eligibility for the automatic grant via their NIU email. Qualified students who were informed that they would be receiving funds were encouraged to log in to their MyNIU account to designate if they wanted the grant as a refund or if they wanted to opt into applying toward an outstanding account balance.
The NIU Student Emergency Grant program was open and the students were notified by email on the following dates:
A set of FAQ was also established and posted online to provide further guidance about eligibility and distribution.
Students were also notified that all students, regardless of CRRSAA grant eligibility, were able to apply for emergency assistance through the Student Emergency Fund. Funding is limited.For general concerns or questions, contact the Center for Student Assistance at studentassistance@niu.edu or 815-753-8300.
For technological concerns contact the Service Desk at servicedesk@niu.edu or or 815-753-8100.