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What is CRRSAA?
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, was approved on December 27, 2020 in response to ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. This new law received bipartisan support from federal legislators and includes additional stimulus funding for colleges and universities to provide emergency grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The U.S. Department of Education issued guidance for how these funds can be used. Students can use these awards to cover costs associated with attendance at ETSU. This includes both anticipated and emergency costs that arise due to the pandemic such as tuition, food, housing, medical and mental health care, and childcare.
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Why did I receive money from CRRSAA?
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, included additional COVID-19 relief through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), including emergency grant funds for students. Students may use the grant funds toward any component of their cost of attendance and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, including mental health, and child care.
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I received notice that I was eligible to receive CRRSAA money. Will my ETSU account balance automatically be deducted from the money I receive?
No. CRRSAA funds will be paid directly to students. However, students may use the funds to pay towards their account balance at ETSU.
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Can I use this money to pay off my ETSU balance?
Yes. You can choose to use the money however you wish. If you choose to pay your ETSU account balance with your grant, you will need to redirect the money to ETSU via logging into your Goldlink account and paying your balance there.
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Can I use this money to pay off other ETSU balances, such as my tuition, housing, or meal plan?
Yes. You can choose to use the money however you wish. If you determine to pay for other related ETSU expenses, you can access the links for payment below.
- For the ETSU tuition payment link click here
- For the ETSU housing payment link click here
- For the ETSU meal plan payment link click here
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Can ETSU just apply the funds to my account balance?
No. CRRSAA funds will be paid directly to you, the student. However, you can choose to use the funds to pay towards your account balance.
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How will I receive my CRSSA money?
If you have signed up for direct deposit, your refund will be sent directly to your bank.
Information on how to enroll in direct deposit can be found here or this YouTube link
For those without direct deposit, a check will be mailed to you at the mailing address on file with the university. -
Do I have to pay this money back?
No. The money you receive from the CRRSAA is a grant. Grants do not need to be repaid.
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Does this money count against my financial aid package or in my “cost of attendance?”
No. Money you receive from the CRRSAA will not impact your eligibility for financial aid.
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Is money received from CRRSAA considered taxable income?
No. Money from the CRRSAA is listed as qualified disaster relief. This money is not taxable in your gross income. -
If I do not qualify for any CRRSAA funding are there any other emergency funds for which I can apply?
Yes. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements for funding under CRRSAA may apply for institutional relief funds provided by the Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund. Students should submit a care report to apply for these funds. However, these funds also have eligibility criteria that applicants must meet to qualify.
More information is available here. Additionally, unlike CRRSAA grants, Buccaneer Student Crisis Fund grants will count against an applicant's financial aid package and will be figured into a student’s “cost of attendance.”
For questions, contact finaid@etsu.edu