** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Federal CARES Act Information

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 Information

(1) New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) signed a certification and agreement with the US Department of Education agreeing to spend no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as emergency grants to students. The Department of Education did not require Institutions that had previously received CARES Act HEERF funds to submit new certifications and agreements to receive federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 funds.

(2) NMHU received funding through the ARPA program through the US Department of Education. NMHU is required to spend a minimum of $3,025,286 on emergency student grants through this program. NMHU also allocated an additional $44,114 from the institutional portion of the ARPA funds to utilize as emergency grant funding.

(3) As of December 6, 2021, NMHU has distributed $3,069,400 of the ARPA funds on emergency grants to students.

(4) 3,668 NMHU students were eligible for funding through the ARPA program.

(5) 3,668 NMHU students received funding through the ARPA program.

(6) This program was created by Congress as part of CARES Act in March 2020, and NMHU received additional funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 in May 2021.

NMHU is distributing 100% of allocated Federal funds to all students that were registered for the Spring 2021, Summer 2021, and Fall 2021 terms. Individual student awards were based on a tiered structure that prioritized students with exceptional need. These funds are intended to offset some of the additional expenses students may have incurred during this time.

Tiered Structure for Undergraduate Students

Pell Aid Award above $3,000 = HEERF III Award of $800

Pell Aid Award between $2,999 and $2,000 = HEERF III Award of $700

Pell Aid Award between $1,999 and $1,000 = HEERF III Award of $600

Pell Aid Award between $999 and $500 = HEERF III Award of $500

Pell Aid Award below $500 = HEERF III Award of $400

Tiered Structure for Graduate Students

Loan Award above $3,000 = HEERF III Award of $700

Loan Award between $2,999 and $2,000 = HEERF III Award of $600

Loan Award between $1,999 and $1,000 = HEERF III Award of $500

Loan Award between $999 and $500 = HEERF III Award of $400

Loan Award below $500 = HEERF III Award of $300

(7) Email communication sent to students:

Dear HU Student:

As you know, this past year has been a difficult year for all of us. I appreciate your resilience during these tough semesters. I assure you, your determination and hard work has not gone unnoticed. I am truly grateful to have you as a student at New Mexico Highlands University.

You will receive your check/direct deposit for your student aid grant being provided by the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

I wish you the best and have a happy holiday!

Sincerely,

Sam Minner

President

 


Federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Information

(1) New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU) signed a certification and agreement with the US Department of Education agreeing to spend no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act as emergency grants to students. The Department of Education did not require Institutions that had previously received CARES Act HEERF funds to submit new certifications and agreements to receive federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act (CRRSAA) funds.

(2) NMHU received funding through the CRRSAA program through the US Department of Education. NMHU is required to spend a minimum of $849,987 on emergency student grants through this program. NMHU also allocated an additional $99,513 from the institutional portion of the CRRSAA funds to utilize as emergency grant funding.

(3) As of June 30, 2021, NMHU has distributed $949,500 of the CRRSAA funds on emergency grants to students.

(4) 4,129 NMHU students were eligible for funding through the CRRSAA program.

(5) 4,129 NMHU students received funding through the CRRSAA program.

(6) This program was created by Congress as part of CARES Act in March 2020, and NMHU received additional funding from the CRRSAA in December 2020. On May 11, 2021, the Department of Education released FAQ’s for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that clarified how student aid grants could be distributed.

NMHU is distributing 100% of allocated Federal funds to all students that were registered for the Summer 2020 and Fall 2020 term. Individual student awards were based on a tiered structure that prioritized students with exceptional need. These funds are intended to offset some of the additional expenses students may have incurred during this time.

Tiered Structure for Undergraduate Students

Pell Aid Award above $3,000 = HEERF II Award of $600

Pell Aid Award between $2,999 and $2,000 = HEERF II Award of $500

Pell Aid Award between $1,999 and $1,000 = HEERF II Award of $400

Pell Aid Award between $999 and $500 = HEERF II Award of $200

Pell Aid Award below $500 = HEERF II Award of $100

Tiered Structure for Graduate Students

Loan Award above $3,000 = HEERF II Award of $500

Loan Award between $2,999 and $2,000 = HEERF II Award of $400

Loan Award between $1,999 and $1,000 = HEERF II Award of $300

Loan Award between $999 and $500 = HEERF II Award of $200

Loan Award below $500 = HEERF II Award of $100

(7) Email communication sent to students:

Dear <STUDENT>,

I hope this email finds you healthy and thriving. We will get through these unique times working together, and want to help keep you on track to completing your education at New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU).

NMHU is pleased to be awarding a second round of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant program. This program was created by Congress as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020, and NMHU received additional funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) in December 2020.

NMHU is distributing 100% of allocated Federal funds to eligible students. Individual student awards were based on a tiered structure that prioritized students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. These funds are intended to offset some of the additional expenses you may have incurred during this time.

To avoid enrollment holds, transcript withholding, or other hardships related to unpaid balances at New Mexico Highlands University, we encourage you to pay any unpaid balances to NMHU. Your current account balance is $<VALUE>.

You continue to demonstrate fortitude and tenacity to continue your studies which is admirable. Know that your NMHU family is here to support your success. For more information on available student services, visit the NMHU Website or email the Student Success Center at studentsuccess@nmhu.edu.

Sincerely, Dr. Sam Minner, President

New Mexico Highlands University

 


Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act information

New Mexico Highlands University signed a certification and agreement with the US Department of Education agreeing to spend no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as Emergency Grants to students.

New Mexico Highlands University received $849,987 in funding. 100% of those funds have been spent on emergency grants for students as of July 20, 2020.

Approximately 2,620 Highlands students were eligible for funding through the CARES Act program.

2,058 Highlands students (at main campus and centers) received funding through the CARES Act program.

The funding was provided to students who experience disruption in their spring 2019 classes, either through the closing of the residential halls or due to the movement of online classes.

The eligibility guidelines were as follows:

  1. Students must be enrolled either full or part time for the Spring 2020 semester at NMHU.
  2. International students would not be eligible for the HEERF grants per U.S. Department of Education guidance.
  3. Students must be eligible to complete a FAFSA, be a U.S. citizen, or have a Social Security Number to be eligible for funds.
  4. NMHU students already receiving an employee or dependent tuition waiver would not be eligible.
  5. Students already enrolled in asynchronous online courses for the entirety of their credits in the Spring 2020 semester would not be eligible per U.S. Department of Education guidance.

Email communication sent to students:

Dear <<FIRST_NAME>> <<LAST_NAME>>,

I hope this note finds you and your family well during this challenging time.

NMHU is pleased to be awarding the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which was granted through the CARES Act. These Federal funds are to assist qualifying students who experienced unexpected costs resulting from on-campus disruption caused by COVID-19. NMHU is distributing 100% of allocated Federal funds to eligible students. The amount awarded to each student is based on the number of credit hours the student is taking in the Spring 2020 semester. These funds are intended to offset some of the additional expenses you may have incurred during this time.

This semester has provided unexpected challenges and the fortitude to continue your studies is admirable. Now is the time to finish the semester strong. Know that your NMHU family is here to offer our continued support. For more information on available services visit the NMHU Website, or email the Student Success Center (studentsuccess@nmhu.edu ).

Sincerely,
Dr. Sam Minner

The following web pages contain additional resources for Highlands students.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information https://www.nmhu.edu/coronavirus-covid-19-information/

Financial Aid  www.nmhu.edu/financial-aid-2/

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Quarterly budget and expenditure reporting

2023
Q22023
00265300_HEERF_Q22023_100823

Q12023
00265300_HEERF_Q12023_041023

2022Q1202200265300_HEERF_Q12022_092022

Q2202200265300_HEERF_Q22022_092022

00265300_HEERF_Q22022_092022 revised

Q3202200265300_HEERF_Q32022_092022

00265300_HEERF_Q32022_092022 revised

Q4202200265300_HEERF_Q42022_011023

00265300_HEERF_Q42022_011023 revised

2021
Q12021
00265300_HEERF_Q12021_011022

Q22021
00265300_HEERF_Q22021_011022

Q32021
00265300_HEERF_Q32021_011022

Q42021
00265300_HEERF_Q42021_011022

2020
Q22020
00265300_HEERF_Q22020_102020

Q32020
00265300_HEERF_Q32020_011022

Q42020
00265300_HEERF_Q42020_010621