Muhlenberg College launched the first of its Red Door Initiatives—The Muhlenberg Extended Learning program to provide a limited number of grants for students to take free summer courses online—at the end of April 2020. These programs combine funds and resources from Muhlenberg College, the Muhlenberg Student Government Association, the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and gifts from alumni to help Muhlenberg students most in need of support as a result of COVID-19 disruptions.
Available Red Door Initiatives are listed below along with details about each program and associated resources.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
Muhlenberg College received emergency federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) in 2020 and 2021 to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The College received three separate HEERF allocations resulting from three pieces of legislation: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, HEERF I), Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA, HEERF II), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP, HEERF III).
CARES Act (HEERF I) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Reporting - Final
As of May 2021, Muhlenberg College had distributed all student emergency grant funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The content shown below in items one through seven serves as the final report for the student portion of the funds.
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department 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 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Muhlenberg College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for student grants on April 27, 2020. On May 4, 2020, Muhlenberg received the Grant Award Notification from the U.S. Department of Education. Muhlenberg affirms that it has used $809,954, fifty (50) percent of its total HEERF fund allocation, for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
The College has been allocated $809,954 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).*
Muhlenberg College has distributed $809,954 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act, the entire allocation.
- The estimated total number of students at the institution 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 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
On March 14, 2020, there were 1,526 Muhlenberg students who were enrolled at the College who had submitted a 2019-2020 FAFSA with confirmed Title IV eligibility.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
1,225 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
The College’s senior staff, in consultation with staff in finance, financial aid, and student affairs areas, agree to comply with the direction of the Secretary of Education to distribute CARES Act HEERF student grants in an efficient and timely manner, in compliance with the law and ED guidance, to the broadest possible group but also focusing on students the college who already are in the greatest need for financial assistance at all times, but especially in times of educational and residential disruption.
In May 2020, Muhlenberg distributed $500 grants and $650 grants. 504 students were identified to receive $650 grants. For all students in this group, at least a portion of their financial aid awards for the 2019-2020 academic year were based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements), and all of these students received a Federal Pell Grant or a need-based grant from a state financial aid agency, or both, making them the College’s highest need students through standard means of assessing student and family need.
790 students were identified to receive $500 grants. For all students in this group, at least a portion of their financial aid awards for the 2019-2020 academic year were based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements), and these students did not receive Federal Pell Grants or need-based grant from a state financial aid agency.
232 students were identified as eligible for CARES Act grants should they choose to apply and demonstrate need for assistance with eligible costs. Through accepting a filed 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application, the U.S. Department of Education has affirmed that these students are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid programs
Supplemental grants were awarded to students utilizing a rolling application process to support Title IV eligible students with qualifying expenses.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants .
Email to students eligible for standard grant:
Email to students not eligible for standard grant with information on applying for assistance:
CRRSAA (HEERF II) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Reporting - Final
As of June 2021, Muhlenberg College had distributed all student emergency grant funds under the CRRSAA (a)(1) programs. The content shown below in items one through seven serves as the final report for the student portion of the funds.
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Muhlenberg College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for student grants on April 27, 2020. On May 4, 2020, Muhlenberg received the Grant Award Notification from the U.S. Department of Education. On March 19, 2021, Muhlenberg received an updated Grant Award Notification for its HEERF allocation under CRRSAA. Muhlenberg affirms that it has used the applicable amount designated for student aid, $809,954, for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
Muhlenberg College has received $809,954 in funds for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under CRRSAA (a)(1).
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4) as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
Muhlenberg College has distributed $809,954 to students as Emergency Financial Aid Grants under CRRSAA (a)(1), the entire allocation.
- The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
There were 1,526 Muhlenberg students who were enrolled at the College who had submitted a 2019-2020 FAFSA with confirmed Title IV eligibility.
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
1,238 students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under CRRSAA (a)(1).
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under CRRSAA (a)(1) and (a)(4).
The College’s senior staff, in consultation with staff in finance, financial aid, government relations, and student affairs areas, agree to comply with the direction of the Secretary of Education to distribute HEERF student grants in an efficient and timely manner, in compliance with the law and ED guidance, to the broadest possible group but also prioritizing students with the greatest need for financial assistance.
In May 2021, Muhlenberg distributed $250, $800, and $1,200 grants. 405 students received $1,200 grants. For all students in this group, at least a portion of their financial aid awards for the 2020-2021 academic year were based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements), and all of these students received a Federal Pell Grant. 84 students received $800 grants. For all students in this group at least a portion of their financial aid awards for the 2020-2021 academic year were based solely on demonstrated financial need and all of these students received a need-based grant from a state financial aid agency. 745 students received $250 grants. For all students in this group, the EFC did not exceed tuition and fees, and these students did not receive a Federal Pell Grant or a need-based grant from a state financial aid agency.
Supplemental grants were once again awarded to students utilizing a rolling application process to support eligible students with qualifying expenses.
In June 2021, Muhlenberg distributed additional grants to students-- utilizing a portion of the CRRSAA allocation and a portion of the ARP allocation-- at $675, $2,500, and $3,200 based on identical criteria as the May 2021 distribution: Pell Grant recipients ($3,200), state grant recipients ($2,500), and remaining students with an EFC not exceeding tuition and fees ($675). From the CRRSAA allocation used for these grants, 89 students received a $675 grant, and $399 of a $3,200 grant exhausted the College’s CRRSAA allocation. The remaining grants from the June 2021 distribution were made out of the ARP allocation.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Student Employee Pay Program
During the College's move to remote learning and remote work, many of our students were not able to work the expected number hours in their student employee positions. On May 1, the College shared its plan for sending this financial support to students. Please read the FAQ below for more details.
Student Employee Pay FAQ
What is happening with students who were employed in on-campus jobs?
Muhlenberg will be sending a special paycheck to students who were in hourly positions:
- Working on-campus during the first half of the Spring 2020 semester, and
- Had a disruption in their on-campus position, either:
- Not able to work remotely at all during the second half of the spring semester, or
- Not able to work as many hours in their position in the second half of the semester as they did in the first half
Students paid through stipends are already being paid the full amount of their stipends through normal payroll processes.
How much will the payment be?
It will vary from student-to-student. The actual payment will be based on wages earned in the first half of the spring semester, reduced by the wages in the second half of the semester.
Examples:
Student 1
» Worked 45 hours in the first half of the semester at $8.00 per hour ($360 in wages).
» In the second half, could work remotely but only record 32 hours ($256 in wages).
» The one-time payment will be $104.
Student 2
» Worked 60 hours in the first half of the semester at $8.00 per hour ($480 in wages).
» In the second half, this student’s position could not be shifted to remote work ($0 in wages).
» The one-time payment will be $480.
Student 3
» Worked 55 hours in the first half of the semester at $8.00 per hour ($440 in wages).
» In the second half, this student’s position moved to remote work and the student worked 55 hours ($440 in wages).
» This student earned the same in the second half of semester than the first half and received their full wages for the semester.
How is this payment being made?
The special payment will be made through the College’s payroll office, the same as other payments to student employees. It will be paid on May 29, 2020. For faster receipt of funds, we encourage students to sign up for direct deposit if they haven't done so already (see below for direct deposit details).
Is this post-semester payment taxable?
By law, it is subject to the same tax requirements as other student employment pay.
I worked at two or three on-campus jobs and I continued at one but lost hours at the other(s)?
The one-time payment is based on total pay for all student employee positions worked at the College. Students will be treated the same whether they worked in one position or multiple positions.
Students who are working as Residence Assistants (RAs) and in positions receiving stipends are being paid the full amount of their stipends.
Why did Muhlenberg wait to announce this?
The College was anticipating that the Federal CARES Act would provide some assistance to students whose on-campus jobs were unable to be performed remotely, or were curtailed by the move to remote work. When the act was passed by Congress, it was unclear if CARES Act funds could be used to support students whose employment was no longer available or reduced.
With that uncertainty, and the knowledge it would soon be clarified, the College senior staff deferred a final decision on the details of payment distribution. This position was affirmed by several national higher education associations also awaiting further guidance. Making a decision on this issue before a clarifying statement was released by the U.S. Education Department may have risked students’ ability to receive assistance.
In its CARES Act announcement on April 21, 2020, the Education Department ruled that CARES Act student grants cannot be made for lost student employment positions or reduced hours. That decision is disappointing, but not likely to be reversed. Once it was made, the College senior staff created this new plan.
I was getting paid by check. How do I sign up for direct deposit to receive my money more quickly?
If you are interested in signing up for Direct Deposit, please send an email by May 15 to [email protected] from your Muhlenberg email account. Your email should state your intent to receive payroll funds through Direct Deposit and your current phone number that we can call if we have questions about your request.
After the Business Office has received your email, you will be emailed a Student Employment Direct Deposit Authorization Form along with instructions on how to return this information to us through a secure, encrypted email.
Once you have completed the form and sent it back to us through a secure, encrypted email, we will validate your banking information in the next payroll. During the payroll period that your banking information is being validated, you will receive a check. After your banking information has been validated, then your paycheck funds will be deposited directly into your bank account.
Be sure to start the process right away, so that your banking validation goes through and you can receive your special payroll check through Direct Deposit.
Muhlenberg College Professional Development Internship
This innovative summer program provides 10 weeks of financial support for current Muhlenberg students while offering students a professional development curriculum and structured experiential opportunities. The goal of this program is to assist students in obtaining professional skills and experiences necessary for future employment or academic pursuits.
Professional Development Internship Information
Muhlenberg Summer 2020 Professional Development Internship
An innovative summer program, the Professional Development Internship provides 10 weeks of financial support for current Muhlenberg students while providing students with a professional development curriculum and structured experiential opportunities.
The goal of this program is to assist students in obtaining professional skills and experiences necessary for future employment or academic pursuits. The program provides up to 15 students with an hourly rate of pay, training in a variety of professional skills and structured work experiences to help offset negatively affected summer jobs and internships as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of virtual working transitions and conditions.
Selected students will receive an hourly rate of $9 for up to 20 hours per week from May 26, 2020 through July 31, 2020. Students will work remotely on various projects submitted by departments across Muhlenberg College. Professional skills training will be provided by the Career Center, dean of students office and religious life. Applications are due Wednesday, May 13th, 2020. Selected students will be informed on Wednesday, May 20, 2020.
All students are eligible to apply, however the following considerations will be prioritized in our selection of interns.
- Students who are ineligible to work off campus;
- Students who have demonstrated significant financial hardship;
- Students who are able to complete work and meetings remotely (no in person work is possible right now);
- Students who are interested in completing critical work projects to support the College and are also developing professional and leadership development skills;
- Students who are not employed in another summer College opportunity (eg. Summer digital learning assistants).
Apply through Handshake: https://muhlenberg.joinhandshake.com/jobs/3755537/share_preview
For any questions, contact Samantha Hof, Career Center ([email protected])
