Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Acknowledgement and Reporting- Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Navajo Technical University received funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under the CARES Act, all of which has been allocated to students impacted by NTU’s transition to emergency distance education as a result of COVID-19. In the spring, NTU distributed funds to qualifying students to help pay for unexpected expenses, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. Funds not expended during the spring are being utilized as address persistence by incentivizing students to continue semester to semester. Grant funds have been fully expended.

Determining Eligibility for CARES Student Relief Funds

Students eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Student Relief Funds must meet the following criteria as set by the U.S. Department of Education:

NTU determined which students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they received under Section 8004(a)(1) of the CARES Act by using a prorated amount from $175 to $625 depending on their enrollment status and active participation in their schooling.

• Enrolled in a financial-aid eligible degree and certificate program during the spring 2020 semester.
• Met satisfactory academic progress requirements during the spring 2020 semester.
• Must have been enrolled in at least one face-to-face or hybrid class in spring 2020.
• Completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA and was eligible for federal financial aid during the spring 2020 semester. The deadline to complete a FAFSA is June 30, 2020.
• Obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, with transcripts on file.
• Students who have completely withdrawn or stopped attending all of their classes as of March 13, 2020 are not eligible for funds.
• Additionally, student must be considered PELL-eligible by the NTU financial office

Students were notified of their eligibility via their NTU student email account. If eligible, funds will be processed through student accounts and will be disbursed through printed checks. Limited funding was available. By accepting these funds, students agree to use funds for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the corona virus as indicated above.

Determining Eligibility for CARES Student Relief Funds

Students eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Student Relief Funds must meet the following criteria as set by the U.S. Department of Education:

NTU determined which students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they received under Section 8004(a)(1) of the CARES Act by using a prorated amount from $175 to $625 depending on their enrollment status and active participation in their schooling.

• Enrolled in a financial-aid eligible degree and certificate program during the spring 2020 semester.
• Met satisfactory academic progress requirements during the spring 2020 semester.
• Must have been enrolled in at least one face-to-face or hybrid class in spring 2020.
• Completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA and was eligible for federal financial aid during the spring 2020 semester. The deadline to complete a FAFSA is June 30, 2020.
• Obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, with transcripts on file.
• Students who have completely withdrawn or stopped attending all of their classes as of March 13, 2020 are not eligible for funds.
• Additionally, student must be considered PELL-eligible by the NTU financial office

Students were notified of their eligibility via their NTU student email account. If eligible, funds will be processed through student accounts and will be disbursed through printed checks. Limited funding was available. By accepting these funds, students agree to use funds for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the corona virus as indicated above.

Application process

First time students applying for funding must complete the following:

1. Contact NTU’s Registrar Office. You must be able to provide updated contact information. You can contact:
   1. Delores Becenti at dbecenti@navajotech.edu/505-387-7404
   2. Geraldine Slim at gslim@navajotech.edu/505-387-7377
   3. Brenda Yazzie at byazzie@navajotech.edu/ 505-387-7427
2. Obtain an NTU email address. In order to maintain reliable communication, students must have an NTU email address. Email its@navajotech.edu if you need help setting up an email address.
3. Connect with your instructor. You must also contact your instructors in order to work out a plan to complete your coursework.

Award Amount

Navajo Technical University distributes funds based on enrollment status and active participation in their schooling. The breakdown of funds is as follows:

• Part-time student (less than 12 credits) – $350
• Full-time student (12 credits or more) – $625

Reporting

• Navajo Technical University (NTU) acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and assures that the institution 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.
• NTU received $4,864,682.00 in total funds from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. These funds distributed by the Department represent the 50 percent minimum of NTU’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act for these emergency financial aid grants to students.
• The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the end of December 31, 2020 is $1,673,316.12. Grant funds have been fully identified for expenditure into 2021.
• The estimated total number of students at NTU eligible to participate and possibly eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 1,262.
• NTU awarded 826 students an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
• Out of the 826 students who ever received the HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grant, 559 (or 68%) are still enrolled at NTU.
• Out of the 826 students who ever received the HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grant, 151 have graduated from NTU.
• Only one person has been identified to have dropped out (withdrew) without a completion record or returned to school since receiving the fund.