Red Door Initiatives

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 payroll@muhlenberg.edu 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.

What is the CARES Act?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is a bill passed by the U.S. Congress to “provide emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The CARES Act’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was established to provide student grants for COVID-19-related expenses and to assist institutions for costs incurred as a direct result of their responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Education Department ruled on April 21 that student grants can be given to students eligible for Title IV aid, commonly known as federal student financial aid programs such as the Federal Direct Student Loan, the Pell Grant, and others. Based on the most recent guidance available from the Education Department and professional association, the way to ensure eligibility is through the use of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. The FAFSA includes a portion to ensure eligibility for Title IV funds and it is the main instrument for students to seek college financial aid. 

How much of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund is allocated to Muhlenberg College?

The total allocation to Muhlenberg is $1,619,907. By law, half will be given as grants to students. Grant recipients must be eligible to apply for federal student financial aid programs (see below).

How is Muhlenberg distributing the student grant CARES Act funding?

The College is dedicating approximately $710,000 of $809,954 to grants in the amount of $500 or $650 for each eligible student who (1) received a need-based financial aid grant for the 2019-2020 academic year and (2) was enrolled at Muhlenberg for the Spring 2020 semester as of March 14 and (3) filed a FAFSA financial aid application. These grants are to assist students with the greatest financial need with new or increased expenses (caused by COVID-19) related to food, housing, transportation, course materials, technology, family care or health care.

The remainder of the $809,954 will be designated for urgent student grants for additional COVID-19-related expenses. This will supplement the College’s on-going emergency grant established with current funds, including a contribution approved by SGA and donations from many alumni who have stepped forward to support our students in times of crisis. These grants are available to all Muhlenberg students through the Dean of Students Office through an online application. 

Who are the students receiving CARES Act funds through Muhlenberg?

CARES Act grants of $500 are going to students who filed a FAFSA financial aid application for the 2019-2020 academic year, were enrolled at Muhlenberg on March 14, 2020, and received need-based grant funds from either the College or government sources.

Students who received the Federal Pell Grant or a state need-based grant--our students with the highest financial need--will receive an additional $150, for a total for $650. 

What about students who received Muhlenberg need-based grants this year but are not eligible to apply for Title IV financial aid?

Through the generosity of many donors, the College is also making separate $500 or $650 payments to students with high financial need but who cannot receive CARES Act grants because they are not eligible to apply for Title IV financial aid.

The College’s emergency grant funds are also available by application to all students, regardless of their eligibility for CARES Act monies.

If I didn’t receive need-based financial aid for this academic year, could I still qualify for help?

Muhlenberg’s Emergency Grant Fund continues to assist students with urgent expenses related to the Coronavirus crisis and for other reasons. 

How do students get the money?

Every student who is eligible for a $500 or $650 grant through the CARES Act will receive an email on Monday, May 11. That email will notify them of their base grant amount. It will also include a link to request that their payment be sent to a different address than the one listed in Capstone if necessary. 

The email will also notify the student that if they have incurred expenses related to the Coronavirus disruption in excess of their $500 or $650 distribution, they should complete the additional expenses application. 

Students who do not complete the form by Friday, May 15, will get a payment as a check mailed to their permanent address as listed in Capstone.

What expenses are covered by CARES Act student grants?

The law establishing the CARES Act says that student grants are “for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.” In other words, costs you incurred due to the College’s move to remote learning, a change in residence from on-campus (or an apartment adjacent to campus), and other items related to the Coronavirus crisis that impact your learning. This includes:

• Purchase of technology services or equipment, including hardware and internet access
• Purchase course-related materials
• Need to pay a portion of rent/mortgage and utilities at a residence to which you relocated after March 13, 2020 (the last day of on-campus instruction for the Spring 2020 semester)
• Buy groceries or prepared food in place of meals you would have eaten under a college meal plan
• Unexpected travel and/or storage expenses resulting from the closing of on-campus housing, change in your off-campus residence as a result of Muhlenberg’s move to remote learning
• Health care or family care costs related to the Coronavirus crisis

Students who qualify for the $500 or $650 grants do not need to supply additional supporting information--either with the confirmation form or at a later date. CARES Act grants cannot be requested to pay tuition balances. (Requests for additional support, or support outside of the CARES Act grants, will require an application form.)

Are the CARES Act student grants going to be taxed?

No. On May 7, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service ruled that CARES Act student grants are disaster relief payments and, therefore, not taxable.

What is the college doing the other half of the CARES Act funding it has been allocated?

After our CARES Act application for student grants is approved, the College will apply for funds to assist with the many expenses incurred during the move to remote learning, the departure of most students from campus in March, and supplies and materials for health and safety needs of our students, faculty, and staff. 

Who should I contact with questions?

Rob Springall, Vice President for Enrollment Management, at robertspringall@muhlenberg.edu.

$500 CARES Act grant

Dear Student,

You are eligible for a $500 CARES Act grant for expenses you have incurred related to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the college’s move to remote learning.

Your next step is to confirm that you would like to receive the $500 grant because you had related expenses of at least this amount. Related expenses include:

• Purchase of technology services or equipment, including hardware and internet access;
• Purchase of course related materials;
• Need to pay a portion of rent/mortgage and utilities at a residence to which you relocated after March 13, 2020 (the last day of on-campus instruction for the Spring 2020 semester);
• Buy groceries or prepared food in place of meals you would have eaten under a college meal plan;
• Unexpected travel and/or storage expenses resulting from the closing of on-campus housing or a change in your off-campus residence as a result of Muhlenberg’s move to remote learning; and/or
• Health care or family care costs related to the Coronavirus crisis.

Please complete this form by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15. On the confirmation form, you can affirm your interest in receiving the $500 grant, your interest in receiving the grant and applying for additional assistance, or you may decline the grant. The money from declined grants will be returned to the CARES Act fund to support additional requests for student assistance.

You will also get a separate notification from Google Forms asking for your reply to the confirmation form.

Your eligibility for this $500 grant is based on two criteria, following the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) guidelines to institutions:

• The DOE has affirmed that you are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid program (through your filing of a 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application); and
• At least a portion of your financial aid award for the 2019-2020 academic year was based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements).

Checks will be issued in late May and mailed to your permanent address or alternate address if provided.

Please accept our best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.

     Kent A. Dyer, Chief Business Officer and Treasurer

     Allison Gulati, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

     Robert G. Springall, Vice President for Enrollment Management

$650 CARES Act grant

Dear Student,

You are eligible for a $650 CARES Act grant for expenses you have incurred related to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the college’s move to remote learning.

Your next step is to confirm that you would like to receive the $650 grant because you had related expenses of at least this amount, which include:

• Purchase of technology services or equipment, including hardware and internet access;
• Purchase of course related materials;
• Need to pay a portion of rent/mortgage and utilities at a residence to which you relocated after March 13, 2020 (the last day of on-campus instruction for the Spring 2020 semester);
• Buy groceries or prepared food in place of meals you would have eaten under a college meal plan;
• Unexpected travel and/or storage expenses resulting from the closing of on-campus housing or a change in your off-campus residence as a result of Muhlenberg’s move to remote learning; and/or
• Health care or family care costs related to the Coronavirus crisis.

Please complete this form by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 15. On the confirmation form, you may affirm your interest in receiving the $650 grant, your interest in receiving the grant and applying for additional assistance, or you may decline the grant. The money from declined grants will be returned to the CARES Act fund to support additional requests for student assistance.

You will also get a separate notification from Google Forms asking for your reply to the confirmation form.

Your eligibility for this $650 grant is based on three criteria, following the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) guidelines to institutions:

• The DOE has affirmed that you are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid program (through your filing of a 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application);
• At least a portion of your financial aid award for the 2019-2020 academic year was based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements); and
• You received a Federal Pell Grant or a need-based grant from a state financial aid agency.

Checks will be issued in late May and mailed to your permanent address or alternate address if provided.

Please accept our best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.

     Kent A. Dyer, Chief Business Officer and Treasurer

     Allison Gulati, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

     Robert G. Springall, Vice President for Enrollment Management

CARES Act email with instruction on applying for supplemental grant 

Dear Student,

We are writing to let you know that you are not eligible for an automatic grant through the CARES Act student grant program.

Eligibility for any automatic CARES Act grant is based on two criteria, following the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) guidelines to institutions:

• Qualification for Title IV federal financial aid program through filing of a 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application; and
• At least a portion of a student’s financial aid award for the 2019-2020 academic year was based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements).

Please know that you are still able to apply for funding!

On a limited basis, the college is offering emergency grants by application for COVID-19-related expenses. These grants are funded through donations from alumni and friends of the college, college resources, Student Government Association designations, and CARES Act funds. Related expenses include:

• Purchase of technology services or equipment, including hardware and internet access;
• Purchase of course related materials;
• Need to pay a portion of rent/mortgage and utilities at a residence to which you relocated after March 13, 2020 (the last day of on-campus instruction for the Spring 2020 semester);
• Buy groceries or prepared food in place of meals you would have eaten under a college meal plan;
• Unexpected travel and/or storage expenses resulting from the closing of on-campus housing or a change in your off-campus residence as a result of Muhlenberg’s move to remote learning; and/or
• Health care or family care costs related to the Coronavirus crisis.

If you need help with these expenses and they have caused a disruption to your ability to successfully complete your coursework, please complete the emergency grant application. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is prioritized for students who have suffered the greatest educational disruption and who are in the most urgent need of support.

Please accept our best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer.

Kent A. Dyer, Chief Business Officer and Treasurer

Allison Gulati, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Robert G. Springall, Vice President for Enrollment Management

CARES Act Reporting

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Postsecondary Education released guidance on reporting on student grants through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Reporting. As part of the College’s compliance with the CARES Act and this DOE guidance from DOE, information is provided below. Questions may be sent to Robert Springall, Vice President for Enrollment Management, at robertspringall@muhlenberg.edu.

Muhlenberg received formal notice of its allocation of $809,954 in HEERF funds in a Grant Award Notification from DOE on May 4, 2020. The College is required to make HEERF student grant details available 30 days after this allocation, and update it every 45 days thereafter.

1. 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.
1. Muhlenberg signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for student grants on April 27, 2020.
2. On May 4, 2020, Muhlenberg received the Grant Award Notification from DOE
3. Muhlenberg affirms that it will use at least fifty (50) percent of its total HEERF fund allocation, $1,619,907, for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2. 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.
1. The College has been allocated $809,954 in HEERF for student grants
2. On of May 18, the College made its first draw of $732,950 for student payments
3. 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).
1. On May 20, the College issued checks to 1,330 students for a total of $732,950:
1. 742 students are receiving a standard grant of $500 ($371,000)
2. 490 students are receiving a standard grant of $650 ($318,500)
3. 98 students are receiving supplemental grants of various amounts ($43,450)
2. On May 28, 37 students are receiving supplemental grants of various amounts ($17,650)
3. On May 29, 1 student of the students who were issued a $500 check, declined the grant by returning the check
4. On June 3, 8 students are receiving supplemental grants of various amounts ($3,500)
4. 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.
1. 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
5. 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. As of May 11, 1,294 had been offered standard grants of $500 (790) or $650 (504), for a total commitment of $722,600
2. As of May 16, the day the confirmation form was closed 62 students had declined their standard grants, releasing an additional $33,100 to be awarded as new and supplemental grants
3. Therefore, as of May 16, there are 1,232 to receive $500/$650 standard grants, totaling $689,500
4. In addition, as of May 18, there are 98 students receiving an additional $43,450 in grants of various amounts, up to $500
6. 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.
1. 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 great need for financial assistance at all times, but especially in times of educational and residential disruption
2. This same group determined that $500 expense for this group would be reasonable, based on:
1. Purchase of technology services or equipment, including hardware and internet access: Muhlenberg provides all students access to high-speed wireless internet, computer labs, printing, and in-person technology support; Muhlenberg could not offer a ubiquitous replacement for these services and equipment
2. Purchase of course related materials: The College’s library and other common use facilities provide low-cost or no-cost access to basic supplies and equipment and the on-campus essentials pantry offers basic school supplies; Muhlenberg could not offer a ubiquitous replacement for these services and equipment
3. Need to pay a portion of rent/mortgage and utilities at a residence to which you relocated after March 13, 2020 (the last day of on-campus instruction for the Spring 2020 semester): most Muhlenberg students live on or close to campus and housing and meal plan is included in the college’s financial aid program; when students were displaced from campus, they had to rely on personal or family resources for housing and food and they were not commonly extended other grants from the college to assist with housing or food
4. Buy groceries or prepared food in place of meals you would have eaten under a college meal plan: see 6.b.iii., above
5. Unexpected travel and/or storage expenses resulting from the closing of on-campus housing, change in your off-campus residence as a result of Muhlenberg’s move to remote learning: most Muhlenberg students live on or near campus and had to fund transportation costs in conjunction with their mid-March departure (at “last minute” prices), do not have access to long-haul ground transportation due to cutbacks by bus companies, have to return to campus unexpectedly to collect belongings and/or have limited local storage facility options (only one storage facility exists in immediate vicinity of Muhlenberg’s campus)
6. Health care or family care costs related to the Coronavirus crisis: Of the students who commute to campus, the majority are working adults who are also providing support for one or more family members
3. This same group also agreed that students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant and/or state need-based grant (most commonly the Pennsylvania State Grant Program, but also including other states’ programs) are likely to experience genuine hardship from the expenses listed in 6.b. (above) and agreed to increase standard grants for those students to $650
4. 790 students were identified to receive $500 grants
1. Through accepting a filed 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application, the U.S. Department of Education has affirmed these students are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid programs;
2. 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)
3. These students did not receive Federal Pell Grants or need-based grant from a state financial aid agency
5. 504 students were identified to receive $650 grants
1. Through accepting a filed 2019-2020 FAFSA aid application, the U.S. Department of Education has affirmed these students are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid programs;
2. 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
3. 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
6. 232 students were identified as eligible for CARES Act grants should they choose to apply and demonstrate need for assistance with eligible costs
1. 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;
2. These students did not receive financial aid for the 2019-2020 academic year based solely on demonstrated financial need (grant aid beyond that awarded for academic achievement, talent, citizenship, or personal achievements) and, therefore, did not have unmet financial need as commonly defined;
3. On May 11, students in this group were instructed how to apply for CARES Act grants (see 7.b., below)
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants. (See CARES Act Communication section for email content)
1. Email to students eligible for standard grant
1. $500 standard grant email
2. $650 standard grant email
2. Email to students not eligible for standard grant with information on applying for assistance
1. Supplemental grant email
3. The College maintains a Frequently Asked Questions web page on the CARES Act student grants at muhlenberg.edu/assist/#CARESActFAQ.

This information is posted per the May 6, 2020, notification from the Department of Education on HEERF, supplemented by information from a subsequent update from NAICU’s president.

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 (samanthahof@muhlenberg.edu)