Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.

Fall 2021

Out of the University’s total eligible population of 27,422 for the fall 2021 term, the following groups of students who submitted a 2021-22 FAFSA received emergency relief funding from the University were disbursed this funding:

  • 8,561 undergraduate students enrolled for the fall 2021 term who were eligible for the Federal Pell Grant were awarded $1,250.
  • 3,146 undergraduate students enrolled in the fall 2021 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA of less than $15,000 (but were not Pell eligible) were awarded $1,000.
  • 5,006 graduate, medical and law students enrolled in the fall 2021 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $750.
  • 43 non-degree (graduate) seeking students enrolled in the fall 2021 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA of less than $15,000 were awarded $750.
  • 1 non-degree (undergraduate) seeking student enrolled in the fall 2021 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA of less than $15,000 was awarded $750.

Spring 2022

Out of the University’s total eligible population of 27,012 for the spring 2022 term, the following groups of students who submitted a 2021-22 FAFSA received emergency relief funding from the University were disbursed this funding:

  • 8,236 undergraduate students enrolled for the spring 2022 term who were eligible for the Federal Pell Grant were awarded $1,552.
  • 3,059 undergraduate students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA of less than $15,000 (but were not Pell eligible) were awarded $1,216.
  • 3,847 graduate students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,001. 1 student received the balance of the funding of $1,000 for a grand total of 3,848 graduate students.
  • 699 law students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,002.
  • 406 medical students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,004.
  • 39 non-degree (graduate) seeking students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA of less than $15,000 were awarded $1,433.
  • 5 students that demonstrated COVID related financial hardship were awarded $1,552.
  • Additionally, 1,027 international/DACA students that applied for emergency funding were each awarded $1,000 without a valid FAFSA submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will I get my grant money?

For students who have signed up for direct deposit with Student Finance funding will be sent to the student’s financial institution via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).  For students not enrolled in direct deposit, checks will be mailed.

Do I have to repay my grant?

No. The money awarded to you is a grant, not a loan.

Are there any restrictions on how I spend my grant?

Federal guidelines indicate the funds can be used for any number of financial costs related to the disruption of education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.  This could include money spent for unanticipated travel, additional technology requirements, food, housing, course materials, health care, child care, etc.

Will this funding impact my current or future financial aid awards?

No, this grant is a one-time emergency grant and it will not impact your current or future financial aid.

Report and Disclosure

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III Reporting
Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students -
Florida State University

Florida State University (FSU) acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 22, 2020, and gives the assurance that FSU has used more than 50% of the funds received under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. The total amount of funds FSU received on January 14, 2021 from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $14,669,914.

  1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA as of March 31st, 2021, is $5,780,700.
  2. The estimated total number of students at FSU eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA was 26,284 for Spring 2021.
  3. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA was 14,511 for Spring 2021.
  4. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows:
    • Enrolled for term of disbursement
    • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
    • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
      • Pell eligible undergraduate students;
        • Pell Grant recipients were provided with the highest award of $500 during the Spring 2021 term.
      • Undergraduate students with an expected family contribution less than $10,000 were provided with $300 during the Spring 2021 term.
      • Graduate and professional students with an expected family contribution less than $10,000 were provided with $ 250 during the Spring 2021 term.

Quarter 2 April – June 2021: No additional HEERF II funds were disbursed in Quarter 2.

  1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA as of July 21, 2021, is $14,669,914.
  2. The estimated total number of students at FSU eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA was 16,647 for Summer 2021.
  3. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSAA was 9,715 for Summer 2021.
  4. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows:
    • Enrolled for term of disbursement
    • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
    • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
      • 5,348 Pell eligible undergraduate students were awarded $1,000;
      • 1,069 undergraduate students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $10,000 (but were not Pell eligible) were awarded $918.
      • 3,249 graduate, medical and law students who had an estimated family contribution less than $9,999 were awarded $775.
      • 48 non-degree (graduate) seeking students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $9,999 were awarded $855.
      • 1 non-degree (undergraduate) seeking student who had an estimated family contribution of less than $9,999 was awarded $857.
  1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 117-2 of the ARP as of December 31, 2021, is $17,634,750.
  2. The estimated total number of students at FSU eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 117-2 of the ARP was 27,422 for Fall 2021.
  3. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 117-2 of the ARP was 16,757 for Fall 2021.
  4. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows:
    • Enrolled for term of disbursement
    • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
    • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
      • 8,561 Pell eligible undergraduate students were awarded $1,250;
      • 3,146 undergraduate students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $15,000 (but were not Pell eligible) were awarded $1,000.
      • 5,006 graduate, medical and law students who had an estimated family contribution less than $15,000 were awarded $750.
      • 43 non-degree (graduate) seeking students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $15,000 were awarded $750.
      • 1 non-degree (undergraduate) seeking student who had an estimated family contribution of less than $15,000 was awarded $750.

Final Report – All HEERF funding expended in this quarter.

  1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 117-2 of the ARP as of March 31st, 2022, is $40,187,282.
  2. The estimated total number of students at FSU eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 117-2 of the ARP was 27,012 for Spring 2022.
  3. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 117-2 of the ARP was 17,319 for Spring 2022.
  4. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows:
    • Enrolled for term of disbursement
    • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965; or
    • Applied for emergency funding utilizing the application developed to permit International/DACA students to certify need
    • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
      • 8,236 Pell eligible undergraduate students were awarded $1,552;
      • 3,059 undergraduate students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $15,000 (but were not Pell eligible) were awarded $1,216.
      • 3,847 graduate students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,001. 1 student received the balance of the funding of $1,000 for a grand total of 3,848 graduate students.
      • 699 law students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,002.
      • 406 medical students enrolled in the spring 2022 term who had an estimated family contribution as determined by the FAFSA less than $15,000 were awarded $1,004.
      • 39 non-degree (graduate) seeking students who had an estimated family contribution of less than $15,000 were awarded $1,433.
      • 5 students that demonstrated COVID related financial hardship were awarded $1,552.
      • 1,027 international/DACA students that applied for emergency funding were each awarded $1,000 without a valid FAFSA submission.

 

The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by FSU to all eligible students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants were sent via University email and published on the University website.

 

Last updated 08/23/2024