CARES Act Reports

The Conway School received federal funds under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide aid to students. The purpose of these funds was to assist students in need during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Reporting

In accordance with reporting requirements issued by the Department of Education under Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, this page is meant to provide public information about Conway School of Landscape Design’s (the Conway School’s) participation in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF) programs.

HEERF Grant 1 (CARES) Reporting

posted 12/21/2021; updated 3/24/2023

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, 2020 “to provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses [including schools] affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to assist colleges and universities, including the Conway School with emergency financial aid to students whose lives and education were disrupted by the pandemic.

The Conway School signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education 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 18804(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

Grant Award and Use: In June 2020, the Conway School was awarded $6,692 by the U.S. Department of Education from the HEERF. Conway received $3,346 (50%) of the awarded HEERF grant to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, and $3,346 of the awarded HEERF grant for institutional support, which was used to pay for printer/scanners for student use during the transition to remote learning.

Student Eligibility: Conway School awarded the student portion of the HEERF funding equally among all Title IV eligible students requesting the funds, who provided the required documents, and who were not in some way ineligible for other reasons.

Required Public Reporting on Federal CARES Act

Distribution of Funds:

FINAL REPORT – GRANTS TO STUDENTS: As of October 30, 2020, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $3,346 in grants to students.

  1. The Conway School was awarded $3,346 by the Department of Education from the HEERF for grants to students and for institutional support, after Conway signed and returned the department’s Certification and Agreement.
  2. Conway received $3,346 (50%) of the awarded HEERF grant to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
  3. As of June 30, 2020, Conway has distributed $3,346 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18994(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  4. 16 students at Conway 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 18994(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
  5. 14 students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (two students chose not to accept the grant).
  6. Conway used the following method for determining which students would receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act: Conway School will award the total HEERF funding provided to Conway ($3,346) equally among all Title IV eligible students requesting the funds, who have provided the required documents, and who are not in some way ineligible for other reasons.
  7. Conway instructed that students were being awarded the grants to help defray costs they incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic, including during the school’s transition to remote learning.

FINAL REPORT – INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT: As of October 30, 2020, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $3,346 for institutional support, which was used to pay for printer/scanners for student use during the transition to remote learning.

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) Reporting

posted 12/21/2021; updated 3/24/2023

In October of 2020, the Conway School was awarded $493,308 in FIPSE designated funds as part of the HEERF program within the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, 2020 to address pandemic related expenses and for institutional support.

Conway School used the FIPSE funds to support faculty and staff salaries, benefits, and related expenses and invested in technology to facilitate the transition to remote working conditions. Funds were also used to purchase air purification equipment and to rent a tent to allow for an outdoor learning space.

FINAL REPORT – INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT: As of September 30, 2021, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $498,308 for institutional support.

HEERF Grant II (CRRSAA) Reporting

CRRSAA Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II Grants to Students Required Report

posted 3/24/23; updated 7/10/23

On 12/27/2020, the President of the United States signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSAA) Act, 2021. This Act provides emergency relief funds to organizations and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, found in Section 314(1)(a) of the CRRSAA Act, allows higher education institutions to use funds allocated by the Department of Education to support students and higher education institutions with expenses and financial needs related to the pandemic. The following information will be provided by the Conway School as required by the Department of Education in order to comply with the reporting requirements under the CRRSAA Act.

  1. In January and May of 2021, the school was awarded $16,740 by the Department of Education from the HEERF II.
  2. Conway received $8,782 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students and $7,958 for pandemic related expenses.
  3. As of April 30, 2023, Conway distributed the $8,782 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. By May 2023, the $7,958 in pandemic related expenses was applied to the purchase of COVID self-test kits for faculty, staff and students.
  4. In April 2023, Conway distributed $8,782 in emergency financial aid grants to Conway’s 18 currently enrolled graduate students. Grants were distributed to prioritize students with greater need based on the FAFSA’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students with the lowest EFCs received proportionally more emergency financial aid than students with larger EFCs. Students who did not submit FAFSA information also received grants, but at proportionally low amounts. The school will retain a worksheet to record the calculation and distribution of funds.
  5. At the time of distribution in April, students received information about the emergency financial aid grants, why they were receiving HEERF funds, and how they could utilize their grants.

FINAL REPORT – INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT: As of June 30, 2023, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $7,958 for institutional support.

FINAL REPORT – GRANTS TO STUDENTS: As of June 30, 2023, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $8,782 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

HEERF Grant III (ARP) Reporting

ARP Act – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III Grants to Students Required Report

Posted 3/24/23; updated 7/10/23

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The HEERF III program within the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, 2021 allows higher education institutions to use funds to support students with expenses and financial needs related to the pandemic. The following information will be provided by the Conway School as required by the Department of Education in order to comply with the reporting requirements under the ARP Act.  

  1. In July 2022, the school was awarded $3,770 by the Department of Education from the HEERF for grants to students.
  2. In April 2023, Conway distributed $3,770 in emergency financial aid grants to Conway’s 18 currently enrolled graduate students. Grants were distributed to prioritize students with greater need based on the FAFSA’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students with the lowest EFCs received proportionally more emergency financial aid than students with larger EFCs. Students who did not submit FAFSA information also received grants, but at proportionally low amounts. The school will retain a worksheet to record the calculation and distribution of funds.
  3. At the time of distribution in April, students received information about the emergency financial aid grants, why they were receiving HEERF funds, and how they could utilize their grants.

FINAL REPORT – GRANTS TO STUDENTS: As of June 30, 2023, the Conway School had distributed all of its allocated $3,770 in emergency financial aid grants to students.

Quarterly Reports

Quarterly reports were updated on 3/24/23 to reflect the additional HEERF II and III grant awards, following a meeting with the HEERF Management and Program Analysts who assist institutions within the state of Massachusetts. The final quarterly report for June 2023 was added on 7/10/2023.