Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II)
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) was approved by Congress and includes support for higher education, including emergency grants for students facing expenses due to COVID-19. The University of New 51¶ºÄÌ is set to receive approximately $4.6 million, of which $2.3 million is designated for emergency grants that will be awarded directly to students. The remaining funds are designated for use by the institution to cover unexpected expenses.
The U.S. Department of Education recently issued guidance on distribution of these emergency grants to students. They recommended a students’ need, as determined by the completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) be strongly considered when awarding funds. This means that students must have submitted a FAFSA to the University of New 51¶ºÄÌ and met all Federal Financial Aid eligibility guidelines required to be Title IV (federal) aid eligible.
HEERF II funding must be used for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Eligible expenses include tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and/or child care. The grants may not fully cover the expenses a student has incurred due to the disruption.
The University used the schedule below for distribution of funds, based on each student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as a result of their FAFSA. The University selected this tiered approach to provide more substantial award amounts to students and families who are most in need, while also providing emergency grants to those students with higher EFCs.
| Expected Family Contribution (EFC) | Award Value Per Full-Time Student |
|---|---|
| $0 - $999 | $1,750 |
| $1,000 - $2,499 | $1,400 |
| $2,500 - $3,499 | $1,200 |
| $3,500 - $5,563 | $1,000 |
| $5,564 - $13,450 | $500 |
| Graduate Students | $400 |
HEERF II funds will be processed and refunded through ePay. Students who are signed up for direct deposit in ePay will automatically receive their funds in that manner. Students who are not signed up for direct deposit, and elect not to sign up, will automatically have a check mailed to their home address. Please ensure your home address is accurate in Banner. The funds will be passed through Banner and will not be applied to or used to offset any charge, debt, tuition, fees, or other balance in a student’s account without written permission from the student.
For students enrolled in direct deposit, they will have access to the funds in approximately three business days from the date of disbursement. For those not enrolled in direct deposit, a check will be mailed to their home address.
In order to qualify for HEERF II funding, a student must have an EFC as outlined in the chart above and must meet the following criteria:
- The University of New 51¶ºÄÌ has received a valid 2020-2021 FAFSA as of February 1, 2021.
- Enrolled full-time and degree seeking for spring 2021 term as of February 26, 2021.
- Meet all Federal Financial Aid eligibility guidelines required to be Title IV (federal) aid eligible.
The University has identified approximately 2,100 students who meet the above listed criteria and have a 2020-2021 EFC that qualifies them for funding in our awarding model (EFCs $0-$9,999) or are full-time graduate students who are Title IV aid eligible. In total, these students will receive approximately $2,238,650 of our designated $2,321,398 for students. Please note that the remaining $82,748 will be used to assist students whose families experienced a serious healthcare emergency related to COVID-19.