The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is a government initiative that was formed during the COVID-19 (global) epidemic to aid colleges with emergency grants. These awards are intended to provide financial assistance to institutions during the epidemic, but institutions are compelled to distribute a portion of the grant to students. Since its commencement in 2020, the program has gone through three funding phases: HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III. Do you want to apply for a higher education emergency relief fund but don’t know how to? Here’s the complete guide to HEERF grants, who can still qualify, and how to apply.
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What are Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants?
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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grants are grants awarded to institutions with financial needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to federal regulations, schools must use the money to better satisfy students’ basic needs, whether through need-based grants or improved on-campus resources. Students who get financial aid through the program can use it to pay for needs such as housing and food, as well as academic fees such as tuition. The majority of HEERF funding went to minority-serving institutions (MSIs), historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), community colleges, rural colleges, and institutions that served a substantial number of low-income students.
HEERF funding has been split into three:
HEERF I: Created under the Coronavirus Assistance, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, HEERF I funded institutions with more than $14 billion. Institutions were expected to give 50% of the grant money to students directly.
HEERF II: The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was signed into law on December 27, 2020, awarding $21.2 billion to institutions. Institutions were expected to provide the same amount of money to students as they did under HEERF I.
HEERF III: The Biden administration signed the American Rescue Plan into law on March 11, 2021, authorizing the third and final stream of money under HEERF III. The program received $39.6 billion in this final tranche of funding.
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Can you still qualify for HEERF grants
If your school has previously received Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund funding, there is a chance that there is still aid available to provide, regardless of whether you have previously received an emergency grant through the program. But, you should first verify with your school’s financial assistance office, as many universities have already depleted their HEERF funds. Hence, it’s critical to act fast.
HEERF grants are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, international students, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and other undocumented students in comparable situations. Although the specific requirements differ by school, students with the greatest financial need and those who have had unforeseen financial difficulties as a result of the coronavirus are among those eligible.
How to apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
The application process for HEERF student financial aid is determined by the school. Some colleges require you to have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This allows them to determine which students have the greatest financial need. Some schools have automated the distribution of aid. You may be required to submit a student emergency fund application (or a comparable application) to your school’s financial aid office in some situations. If you are approved, you will most likely be contacted by your school email or student portal, though the process may vary depending on the institution. Contact your financial aid administrator or use your online student portal to monitor the status of your application. There are other grants also available to students. They include:
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Special consideration grants
Special consideration grants are accessible to students who have financial need that was not identified on the FAFSA or who have never filed an FAFSA. Students who do not satisfy the eligibility requirements for the Federal Relief Fund III standard grant but have suffered significant financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 may apply for special consideration. A portion of the HEERF III fund will be used to help them. To apply for special consideration, go to the NNU student site and fill out the Special Consideration Application. Students may be required to file the FAFSA under specific conditions.
Standard block grants
The federal government urged colleges to give priority to students in dire financial need. NNU wishes to provide immediate economic help to students who may have incurred increased expenses and/or lost income as a result of COVID-19. As a result, the HEERF III emergency aid funds provide a basic relief award to students who meet eligibility criteria based on their FAFSA information and other financial circumstances.
