Consumer Information

CARES Act (HEERF I) Information

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) has provided funds to MSM as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).

Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Below are items MSM is required to report on as part of the CARES Act (Last Updated on 10/30/2020):

1. MSM acknowledges 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.
2. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:  $220,741.
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):  $220,741.
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:  332.
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:  131.
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:  MSM launched a formal application process, inviting all Title IV-eligible students to apply.  Students were required to provide details about expenses they have or will incur as a result of disruption of MSM campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under their cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare).  MSM made grant award decisions based on information provided by the student as part of the grant application process and their overall financial need, prioritizing students with the most need.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants:  Besides the communication around the formal grant application process, MSM has an email address, CaresAct@photographywaltz.com, for questions.

In addition, MSM received funds under Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion and (a)(3) of the CARES Act for Institutional Relief. MSM’s Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report, detailing the allocation of these funds can be found by clicking below.

CRRSAA (HEERF II) Information

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) has provided funds to MSM as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (“CRRSAA”).

The CRRSAA requires that an institution receiving funding under section 314(a)(1) provide the “same amount” in financial aid grants to students from the new CRRSAA funds that it was required or which it would have been required to provide under its original CARES Act Student Aid Portion award.

Below are items MSM is required to report on as part of CRRSAA (Last Updated on 8/30/2021):

1. MSM acknowledges 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 and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide 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 under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. $220,741
3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter). $220,741
4. The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 141
5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 141
6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.Initial awards totaling $175,000 were based on EFC as outlined below
   EFC 0-5711                   $1,500
   EFC 5712-15000            $1,000
   EFC 15001-25000          $750
   Letters were sent to qualifying students in which they were asked to apply via an electronic link.Additional awards totaling $45,741 were given based on financial hardship related to disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The same qualifying cohort was given the opportunity to explain the change in their financial circumstances and proof of financial hardship to apply for these additional funds.
7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.Students were sent two communications with instructions on how to apply for funds based on their EFC, and for additional funds based on financial hardship. Once they were awarded grants, they were sent instructions on how to communicate whether they wanted the funds to be granted as a refund check or applied to their student account balances.

American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) Information

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) has provided funds to MSM as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP).

Under the ARP (a)(1) program, as authorized under section 2003 of the ARP, the amount each institution must use for financial aid grants to students is determined by calculating the sum of 50 percent of the amount each institution receives under the formula factors in CRRSAA section 314(a)(1)(A)-(D); and 100 percent of the amount received under the formula factors in CRRSAA section 314(a)(1)(E)-(F). Student award amounts for both the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs are identified for each institution in their respective allocation table.

Below are items MSM is required to report on as part of ARP (Last Updated on 7/8//2022):

(1) MSM acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and assures that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide 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 under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. $597,416

(3) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter). $597,416

(4) The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 214

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs. 157

(6) The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.

Initial awards (Fall 2021) totaling $147,000 (49 students @ $3,000 each) were awarded to students who were PELL eligible in the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. 

Additional awards totaling $214,500 were awarded to students with the following qualifications:

• Enrolled in Fall 2021 term
• Filed a 2020-2021 FAFSA
• EFC ranging from 0-25,000

Of the 165 eligible students contacted, 108 completed the application.

• 93 students were awarded a base sum of $1,500.
• 15 students who were identified as higher need based on their applications were awarded $5,000.

Additional awards (January 2022) totaling $150,000 (75 students @ $2,000 each) were awarded to PELL eligible undergraduate students in January, 2022.

Additional awards totaling $40,000 were awarded to students with the following qualifications:

• Domestic
• Undergraduate
• In their final semester

Of the 87 eligible students contacted, 14 completed the application and 11 were awarded funds

• 3 students were awarded a total of $8,000 each
• 8 students were awarded a total of $2,000 each

Final awards (May 2022) totaling $45,916 were awarded to 31 need based/PELL eligible students.

(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

For the first award, students were sent communication informing them they were eligible for $3,000 in relief funds. They were instructed to reply to the email with their name and student ID and an indication of whether they preferred a check or a credit to their student account balance.

For the second award, they were asked to submit similar identifiers and disbursement preferences, as well as a narrative explaining how they had been financially impacted by COVID-19 related events.

For the third award, students were emailed a form to complete in order to receive the funds, though all qualified students received funds whether or not they completed the form. They were also asked to indicate whether they preferred a check or a credit to their student account balance.

For the fourth award, students were required to complete an appeal form and submit supporting documentation. They were also asked to indicate whether they preferred a check or a credit to their student account balance.

For the final award, students were informed that they were eligible for the funds and were asked to indicate whether they preferred a check or a credit to their student account balance.