On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Pub. L. 117-2). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260), and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.
HEERF III is structured like the HEERF II programs under the CRRSAA, with certain important differences 1. Students are no longer required to be eligible for Title IV student financial aid in order to receive HEERF grants.
All students who are or were enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from the HEERF, regardless of whether they completed a FAFSA or are eligible for Title IV. That includes citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students. International students may also receive HEERF. The Department encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students, especially undergraduates, in allocating this funding.
(September 2021). Â̲èÖ±²¥ awarded additional American Rescue Plan Act aid totaling $5,407,250.00 to current Â̲èÖ±²¥ students. Because funds were limited, aid was distributed only to eligible students with the greatest financial need based on current financial aid information. A total of 7273 students (1924 graduate & 5349 undergraduate) received aid of $250, $500, $750, $1000 or $1250.
(October 2021). Â̲èÖ±²¥ awarded additional American Rescue Plan Act aid in the amount of $44,500.00 bringing the total disbursed to current Â̲èÖ±²¥ students to $5,444,500.00. Because funds were limited, aid was distributed only to eligible students with the greatest financial need based on current financial aid information. A total of 103 students received additional aid for a total of 7347 students (1968 graduate & 5379 undergraduate) have received aid of $250, $500, $750, $1000 or $1250. The distribution methodology appears below.
Undergraduate Student, Full-Time ($500, $750, $1000, or $1250)
· $1250: Pell Eligible (EFC = 0)
· $1000: Pell Eligible (EFC > 0)
· $750: Not Pell Eligible
· $500: No FAFSA
Undergraduate Student, Less than Full-Time ($500, $750, $1000, or $1250)
· $1250: Pell Eligible (EFC = 0)
· $1000: Pell Eligible (EFC > 0)
· $500: Not Pell Eligible
· $500: No FAFSA
Graduate Student, Full-Time ($500)
Graduate Student, Less than Full-Time ($250.00)
Graduate Student NO FAFSA ($250.00)
International Student Full time ($500.00)
International Student, Less than Full-Time ($250.00)
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