How to Apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – The higher education emergency relief fund also known as HEERF was created to aid students with academically connected expenses like housing, healthcare, technology, food, childcare, and course materials. It is available to students in the United States of America and non-citizens who are eligible.
This emergency fund is not taxable and it is given to applicants with the most need. In this article, we will show you how to apply for higher education emergency relief fund. Keep reading to find out.
Types of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
There are currently three types of higher education emergency relief funds, and they are;
- CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (HEERF I)
- CRRSAA: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (HEERF II)
- ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)
- CARES: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (HEERF I)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act was signed by Congress on the 27th of March 2020. This bill was assigned $2.2 trillion to offer swift and straight economic aid to American citizens who were impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around $14 billion was donated as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund or HEERF to the Office of Postsecondary Education.
- CRRSAA: Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (HEERF II)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is accredited by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, (CRRSAA). This was signed into law on the 27th of December 2020 and donated $81.88 billion in support of education. It also donated an additional $30.75 billion directly last spring via the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.
- ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is permitted by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2.This law was signed on the 11th of March 2021 and it offered $39.6 billion in support to higher learning institutions. This was done to ensure that learning continues in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The American Rescue Plan (ARF) is donated in addition to funds allowed by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Emergency funds accessible to higher learning institutions and their students under all emergency funds are a total of $76.2 billion.
Eligibility Requirements for HEERF Funding
Before applying for the higher education emergency relief fund, it is necessary to check your eligibility. Below are the eligibility criteria to apply for the higher education emergency relief fund.
- Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America (USA) or eligible non-citizens.
- They must have a valid social security number.
- Applicants must have obtained their GED, high school diploma, or completed homeschooling in an accredited setting.
- They must be registered with selective service if they are males between the ages of 18 and 25.
- Applicants must present a certification of a statement of educational purpose.
- They must not owe a refund on grants received prior at any school.
- Applicants must not be convicted of a crime involving fraud concerning federal financial aid.
- They must have and maintain a minimum academic grade/progress.
- Applicants must not be convicted of a drug offense while obtaining federal financial aid.
The above criteria were set by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and will be verified by the applicant’s school based on a review of their student’s FAFSA.
How to Apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
Once you have confirmed that you are eligible for this fund. You can now apply for it. Below are steps you should take to apply for the higher education emergency relief fund.
- Applicants must apply for this fund through their schools as they are not permitted to apply directly to the U.S. Department of Education.
- It is the higher education institutions that decide how the funds will be distributed to students, how the amount each student gets is calculated, and the development of any directive and supervision that are offered to the students about the fund.
- Applicants should contact their school and get information about how to apply for higher education emergency relief funds from the school.
- Once an applicant has done this, they should follow the instructions the school gives meticulously.
- After that, they can wait to know the decision on their application.
Conclusion
The higher education emergency relief fund is here to help make life easier for higher education students. If you are eligible, you should apply through your institution.We hope you found this article on “How to Apply for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund” helpful.
Reference
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html
- https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
- https://askregs.nasfaa.org/article/34789/how-do-we-apply-for-higher-education-emergency-relief-funds-on-grants-gov
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