White House Extends Coronavirus National Emergency
By Owen Daugherty, NASFAA Staff Reporter
The White House on Friday extended the national emergency amid the coronavirus pandemic that was first declared in March 2020. The national emergency was set to expire on March 1, 2022 without an extension.
Declaring a national emergency gives the federal government additional authorities and abilities and allows the federal government to spend additional money, among other measures.
For financial aid offices, the announcement extends the verification flexibilities, use of the return of Title IV funds (R2T4) waiver and withdrawal benefits, as well as the transferral of unused Federal Work-Study funds into the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program through the time frames noted in a chart published by Federal Student Aid in January 2021.
“There remains a need to continue this national emergency. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause significant risk to the public health and safety of the nation,” President Joe Biden wrote in a letter to Congress announcing the extension. “More than 900,000 people in this nation have perished from the disease, and it is essential to continue to combat and respond to Covid-19 with the full capacity and capability of the federal government.”
While the extension time frames vary depending on the area of Title IV aid that is impacted, generally they are being extended by one year, unless the national emergency is ended before then.
Former President Donald Trump first declared a national emergency due to the pandemic on March 13, 2020, meaning next month will mark two years the country has been under a national emergency. President Biden last extended the national emergency in February 2021 until March 1, 2022.
A notice announcing the extension was published in the Federal Register Wednesday.
Publication Date: 2/23/2022
Richard L | 2/23/2022 1:13:57 PM
Will the federal direct student loan relief be expected to continue through March 1st, 2023 with this announcement as well?
Ciara N | 2/23/2022 12:17:22 PM
I agree, I do not see a new expiration date. It only states that it must continue
in effect beyond March 1, 2022 but does not have an expiration date.
Christopher A | 2/23/2022 12:2:55 PM
Does this include a waiver for income/household verification for 22/23?
Richard H | 2/23/2022 11:43:03 AM
Does this include the federal verification flexibilities of which we do not have to complete verification for students for the 22-23 Aid year?
Heather P | 2/23/2022 10:49:54 AM
I believe the extension should automatically expire in one year unless the President takes action to end the national emergency earlier.
Charles M | 2/23/2022 9:29:03 AM
I noticed the extension announcement didn't include a new expiration date. Where can we find info about the new expiration date of March 1, 2023 that is referenced above?
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