Our Process
The Office of Financial Aid at Dominican partnered with the HOPE (Helping Our Penguins get Educated) Team to identify students who had extenuating circumstances due to COVID. An application was sent to these students on February 2nd, 2021. The application closed on February 28th, 2021 for the first round of funding. Eligible students were awarded funding through CRRSAA.
For the second round of funding, an application was sent to students that are a part of the Make School Program. The application process closed on March 14th, 2021. Eligible students were awarded through CRRSAA.
For the third round of funding an application was sent to students who did not respond to the first or second round of funding applications. The application process closed on May 11th, 2021. Eligible students were awarded through CRRSAA.
For the fourth round of funding, Dominican identified students who had high-need and awarded these students additional funding from CRRSAA until the funds were expended.
As part of CRRSAA, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II provided emergency funds to higher education institutions to provide grants for students and to support institutional expenses related to COVID-19.
At least 50 percent of the funds received must be used to provide emergency grants for students who have incurred costs directly related to COVID-19. Examples include, but are not limited to: housing, food, technology, course materials, child care, and healthcare needs.
On April 20th, 2021, Dominican submitted the signed certification and agreement to receive this emergency funding. Under this agreement, the University will use at least 50 percent of the allocated funds to award emergency grants to students.
Dominican was allocated $1,244,784. At least $622,392 of that allocation will be spent as emergency grants to students.
Students must be enrolled in courses as part of a Dominican program as of or after the date Marin County was ordered to shelter-in-place (March 17th, 2020).
The estimated number of Dominican students meeting these eligibility requirements is 1,261.
As of July 7th, 2021, the full amount for funds available for student emergency grants ($622,392) has been allocated to 605 students as follows:
- 139 students received $1,200 in grant funds.
- 428 students received $1,000 in grant funds.
- 34 students received $800 in grant funds.
- 4 students received $500 in grant funds.
In the first round of awarding, Dominican reviewed all students who had a valid FAFSA on file for the 2020-21 academic year, were eligible for Title IV (Federal) financial aid, and were in enrolled in courses as part of a Dominican program eligible for Federal financial aid as of March 17th, 2020 (the date Marin County was ordered to shelter-in-place).
Per the request of the Secretary of Education, financial need was considered when determining the amount of the grant for each student. Emergency grants were distributed as follows:
- Students who completed the application in partnership with the HOPE Team received an initial amount of $1,000.
- Students who completed the application for the second round of funding with an SAI of less than $10,000 received an initial amount of $800. For the second round of funding, students with an SAI of $10,000 or more received an initial amount of $500.
- Students who completed the application for the third round of funding with an SAI of less than $10,000 received an initial amount of $1,000. For the third round of funding, students with an SAI of $10,000 or more received an initial amount of $800.
- There were funds remaining for a fourth round of funding. Students who were previously awarded with an SAI of $0 received an additional funding equal to $1,200 until funds were exhausted.
Prior to starting to notify students of these grants, inquiring students were told to make sure they filed the 2020-21 FAFSA to confirm eligibility for Title IV Aid and that additional information would be forthcoming.
On February 2nd, 2021 Dominican notified students who completed the application for the HOPE Grant of the availability of funding from CRRSAA.
On March 14th, 2021 Dominican notified students who were a part of the Make School Program of the availability of funding from CRRSAA.
On May 11th, 2021 Dominican notified students who did not previously respond to the HOPE Grant email and who did not respond that were part of the Make School Program.
HEERF II funds issued under CRRSAA have been distributed in their entirety and this site will not be updated further.
The remaining $622,391 of Dominican's allocation not marked for student emergency grants is classified as the Institutional Portion. These funds were used to cover a portion of the room, board, and fee refunds issued to students due to the disruption caused by COVID-19. Per reporting requirements, our Final Expenditure Report is available in the HEERF Report section below.
For more information, please visit: