On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (P.L. 116-260).

This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education (Department) approximately $22.7 billion to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF. This law has some similarities—as well as important differences—from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (P.L. 116–136) that was enacted on March 27, 2020.

These FAQs provide an overview of those similarities and differences; describe the flexibilities for institutions that received grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act (“Student Aid Portion” and “Institutional Portion,” CFDAs 84.425E and 84.425F, respectively); and describe the differences between the funds allocated under that section and those under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA.

The grant programs authorized under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA are referred to below as the “(a)(1) programs” and their funds as “(a)(1) funds.”