ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)
Students experiencing a financial hardship or have expenses related to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, tuition and childcare) may contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance and Request a Re-Evaluation of their financial aid eligibility and/or complete an emergency grant application.
What is the American Rescue Plan?
On March 11, 2021 President Biden signed 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.
The ARP appropriated funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), referred to as HEERF III is the third stream of emergency grants for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.
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.
ARP at Sacred Heart University
Sacred Heart University has received through ARP $11,824,197 of which $5,928,579 is for Student Aid. The remaining funds $5,895,618 are designated for use by the institution to cover expenses related to COVID-19. The estimated number of eligible Sacred Heart University students is 9,785.
The U.S. Department of Education released guidance following final rules published on May 14, 2021, by the federal government stating that Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds emergency financial aid grants can be awarded to any individual who is or was enrolled (as defined in 34 CFR SS 668.2) at an eligible institution on or after March 13, 2020.
Furthermore, in accordance with federal guidelines, institutions are directed to prioritize students with exceptional need. To confirm exceptional need, the University will be requiring that students submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The funds are to provide students with financial grants that may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.
As of Monday, June 26, 2023, the Sacred Heart University ARP HEERF III Higher Education Emergency Funds to students ended as we reached our funding limit.
Sacred Heart University acknowledges the following:
- On June 22, 2021, Sacred Heart University received the terms and consideration notification in regard to the supplemental award made under section 2003 of the ARP 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2) notifying institutions of the minimum amount each institution can award for emergency grants to students
- The total amount of funds Sacred Heart University received from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 2003 of ARP for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students is $5,928,579.
- At Sacred Heart University, it is estimated 9,785 students were enrolled for the academic year 2021-2022 and potentially eligible to participate under Section 2003 of ARP.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 203 of ARP as of June 26, 2023 is $5,932,379.
- As of June 26, 2023, 4,310 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 2003 of ARP.
Sacred Heart University acknowledges the following:
Sacred Heart University is determining which students may receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 2003 of the ARP in three phases as follows.
Applying for ARP Funds
Phase 1: Request for Re-Evaluation
Effective Date 07/22/2021
We are currently not accepting Higher Education Request for Re-Evaluation through the ARP HEERF III funds.
As part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) the Office of Student Financial Assistance (SFA) understands the Coronavirus Pandemic has, and continues, to impact families in many different ways. The process of Professional Judgment (PJ) is designed to recognize extenuating circumstances and allows financial aid administrators to make adjustments on a student’s behalf to more accurately represent the student’s/family’s financial situation. This review is for the potential adjustment of federal student aid and/or federal emergency grants. SFA will re-evaluate each students’ circumstance on a case-by-case basis, but it is not a guarantee that students who submit this request will be given an adjustment.
To request a professional judgment, review the information below and submit the Re-Evaluation Request: Professional Judgment/Special Conditions form along with all the required supporting documents to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
We understand these cases are sensitive and confusing to some. Let our teams of professional counselors assist you. Email SFAadjustment@sacredheart.edu or call SFA at 203-371-7980.
The Office of Student Financial Assistance continues to work with students who are experiencing financial hardships and have Requests for Re-Evaluation of financial aid eligibility as the pandemic continues to impact students and their families. Visit our Request for Re-Evaluation website for more detailed information.
Phase 2: Application for Emergency Grant Funds
Effective Date 4/1/2022
We are currently not accepting Higher Education Emergency Relief Applications through the ARP HEERF III funds.
To qualify for an emergency grant the student will have to meet the following criteria:
- Enrolled at Sacred Heart University as of the spring 2020 semester or beyond
- Incurred an eligible expense related to the coronavirus pandemic.
SHU will prioritize funds to students with exceptional need, through the use of a valid FAFSA on file with SHU. If you have not completed a FAFSA, you can still do so online. If you are an international, DACA or undocumented student and are not eligible to complete a FAFSA, an alternate need assessment is available.
It is important for you to read through all the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) before submitting an application. The FAQs provide essential information and instructions. If you have questions on any part of this application process, please submit those questions to CaresActContactUs@sacredheart.edu.
Students may elect to apply their HEERF III grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF III application. This includes applying their HEERF III grant to charges posted to their student account after March 13, 2020.
Phase 3: Block Grants
Effective Date 6/27/2022
Sacred Heart University provided HEERF III grants ranging from $6 -$4000 to eligible degree seeking undergraduate and graduate students with a Federal Total Family Contribution (TFC) up to $45,687 resulting from students’ 2021-2022 FAFSA on record, enrollment for the spring 2022 semester and previous ARP HEERF III grant assistance received. Qualified students were sent an email notification from the office of the senior vice president of finance. Students who need additional emergency assistance are instructed to apply for additional funds through the Request for Re-Evaluation and/or Application for Emergency Grant Funds.
Phase 4: Block Grants
Effective Date: 6/26/2023
Sacred Heart University provided HEERF III grants ranging from $200- $900 to eligible degree seeking undergraduate and graduate students with a Federal Total Family Contribution (TFC) up $6,202, based on student enrolled in SS (Summer 2023) as of June 5th 2023. Students were awarded $200 Per SS# of Classes, Maximum Award $900 & ARP HEERF Total distribution to student is less than $6,000.
HEERF III (ARP) Student Aid Report
The total amount of funds Sacred Heart University received from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to Section 2003 of ARP for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students is $5,928,579.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 203 of ARP as of June 30, 2023 is $5,932,379.
The estimated number of Sacred Heart University students who were eligible to receive ARP: 9,785
Total ARP Funds distributed to students as of June 30, 2023: 4,310 (unduplicated)
| As of September 30, 2021 | As of December 31, 2021 | As of March 31, 2022 | As of June 30, 2022 | As of September 30, 2022 | As of December 31, 2022 | As of March 31, 2023 | As of June 30, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total ARP Funds Distributed to Students | $108,000 | $695,900 | $587,000 | $2,265,363 | $541,511 | $358,800 | $444,256 | $931,549 |
| Number of Students Who Received ARP Funds | 46 | 219 | 156 | 3,424 | 235 | 115 | 144 | 1,041 |
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The emergency grant is not considered financial aid or a loan. You will not need to repay the funds. However, in certain cases this may be included in the IRS Tax Document 2022 1098-T, Box 1.
Since ARP expanded eligibility for grants to any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that may have arisen due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare, a student may apply for assistance that includes a balance due. Students may also elect to apply their HEERF III grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF III application. This includes applying their HEERF III grant to charges posted to their student account after March 13, 2020.
Your relief funding will be sent to your direct deposit refund preference as defined with Bank Mobile (review your preference online). Students also may elect to apply their HEERF III grant directly to their student account by consenting in the HEERF III application.
No. However, you must certify that the reported expenses are true and accurate. The committee reserves the right to request documentation on a case-by-case basis to substantiate a request.
Eligible expenses are those expenses related to any component of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that may have arisen due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. Normal living expenses are not eligible. It is also important to note this funding opportunity is not intended to replace lost income due to job furloughs or layoffs.
All Title IV-eligible, enrolled spring 2022 degree-seeking undergraduate students with a valid 2021-2022 FAFSA on record may receive a grant. The grants will be prioritized based on a unique calculation determined by the institution which includes several different factors (Pell eligible, demonstrated financial need, prior outstanding balance, student loan borrowing at SHU, EFC, etc.). Grant amounts will vary based on the eligibility calculation. Eligible students will receive notification of their grant, which will be a direct deposit to their Bank Mobile account. No further action or application required.
Additional funds will be available through an Emergency Grant Application process for students who have a valid FAFSA on file. Since Sacred Heart University is committed to providing assistance to as many students as possible, amounts may be limited and will vary based each student’s particular socioeconomic circumstances. We will consider expected family contribution (EFC), amount requested, demonstrated financial need and available funds.
Yes. Because of the recent federal final ruling, you are eligible for emergency financial aid grants if you have extraordinary financial circumstances resulting from the pandemic and meet the noted enrollment requirement. If you have qualified expenses, complete the Emergency Grant Application. If you do not have a valid FAFSA on file, you will be asked to provide documentation as to your family’s financial circumstances.
Yes. According to the U.S. Department of Education, SHU’s online students are eligible for ARP HEERF III emergency grants. If you have qualified expenses, complete the Emergency Grant Application, have a valid FAFSA on file and meet the noted enrollment requirement.
Yes, provided they meet the eligibility criteria as stated in the answer to the previous question.
Any enrolled student on or after March 13, 2020, who has expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic is eligible. ARP HEERF III Grants, per guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, will give priority to those with exceptional need. SHU will determine need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Therefore, students with a valid FAFSA and expenses related to the pandemic are encouraged to apply. Students who have not yet filed a FAFSA can still do so online. Please note, if you are an international, DACA or undocumented student and are NOT able to complete a FAFSA, the University will evaluate extraordinary financial circumstances on a case-by-case basis with alternate documentation.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria will receive notification of approval for funding via email within 7-14 business days from submission of a complete application.
You are not required to be a financial aid recipient to receive a HEERF III Grant; however, you will need to have COVID-19-eligible expenses. SHU will prioritize funding to students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
These funds are available regardless of whether or not you have applied for or received another HEERF Grant. However, you should only apply for additional grant funds if your expenses exceed the amount of the grants you have already received. If you have already received an ARP professional judgment grant, the amount applied for may limited.
If you were enrolled at SHU on or after March 13, 2020, and have coronavirus eligible expenses, you may submit an Emergency Application.
If you were enrolled at SHU on or after March 13, 2020, and have COVID-19 eligible expenses, you may submit an Emergency Application.