Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is part of the federal government’s American Recovery Plan (ARP) that was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. Schools received allocations to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the Coronavirus or to be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance. Congress directed that this funding be distributed to students with the exceptional financial need.
The University is committed to distributing the funding to assist our students identified as having exceptional need, which is consistent with the federal guidelines. We are in the process of determining our eligible population.
Hofstra University will continue to work to raise funds and assist our community through the pandemic. We are working through changing times and we appreciate your patience and cooperation.
ARP Act FAQ
- What is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided by the federal government?
- The American Recovery Plan Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the ARP Act set aside additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Schools received allocations to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the Coronavirus or to be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance.
- When will Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds be available?
- We are still in the process of identifying eligible students. We will be using the FAFSA as the standard for distribution and will be able to release funding directly to qualified students once they certified their eligibility. Eligible students will receive a text message, as well as an email to their Pride email address.
- Who is eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds?
- Congress has directed these HEERF III funds be distributed to students with exceptional financial need, such as those eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant. The University is still determining the population of students with demonstrated exceptional financial need. If you are enrolled or planning to enroll for the fall semester, please complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA at fafsa.ed at your earliest convenience.
- Is there an application process?
- No. Eligible students will receive notification informing them that they meet the criteria.
- What is Hofstra HEERF III Grant?
- The ARP Act provided funding for schools to distribute to their students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Hofstra will be directing the HEERF III Grant funding to our neediest students. These funds are meant to help students pay expenses for tuition, technology, health care, child care, course materials, rent, food or other expenses related to the cost of attendance.
- If I am eligible, how can I make sure I will receive my funding quickly?
- Respond to our notification. If you choose to receive a refund instead of having the funds apply directly to your student account, please set up an e-refund account on my.hofstra.edu. Instructions can be found at https://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/sfs/sfs-set-up-erefund-account.pdf
- Is the HEERF III grant considered financial aid?
- No. It is a one-time grant that does not have to paid back. It has no impact on your current or future financial aid eligibility.
- Why didn’t I receive a Hofstra HEERF III Grant?
- Congress directed schools to distribute the funding to their students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. If you are eligible for federal financial aid programs, you probably didn’t receive a grant because you did not meet the criteria of greatest financial need.
For other emergency needs, the Hofstra Student Emergency Assistance fund may be able to help you with emergency aid from other institutional or private donations. These funds are limited and do not generally exceed $500, but we encourage you to apply.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II (CRRSAA)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) is part of the federal government’s Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) that was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. Schools received allocations to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the Coronavirus or to be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance. Congress directed that this funding be distributed to students with the exceptional financial need.
CRRSA Act Institutional Share First Quarter 2021 Report
Consistent with the federal guidelines, in order to distribute the funding as quickly as possible and assist our students with exceptional need, the University used the 2020-2021 FAFSA to determine eligibility. We informed our neediest students through the campus notification system, and asked those qualified students to certify their eligibility to receive funding, as defined by the CRRSA Act.
Hofstra University will continue to work to raise funds and assist our community through the pandemic. We are working through changing times and we appreciate your patience and cooperation.
CRRSAA FAQ
- What is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided by the federal government?
- The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CRRSA Act set aside additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Schools received allocations to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the Coronavirus or to be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance.
- When will Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds be available?
- As of the week of March 8, 2021, we began to notify students of their eligibility. Because we used the FAFSA as the standard for distribution, we were able to release funding directly to qualified students once they certified their eligibility. Eligible students received a text message, as well as an email to their Pride email address.
- Who is eligible for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds?
- Congress has directed these HEERF II funds be distributed to students with exceptional financial need, such as those eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant. Students who are U.S. Citizens and permanent residents currently enrolled at Hofstra for the Spring 2021 semester, who had a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file as of February 24, 2021 and who had the greatest financial need were considered for these funds.
- Is there an application process?
- No. Eligible students will receive notification informing them that they meet the criteria.
- What is Hofstra HEERF II Grant?
- The CRRSA Act provided funding for schools to distribute to their students demonstrating exceptional financial need. Hofstra is directing the HEERF II Grant funding to our neediest students. These funds were meant to help students pay expenses for tuition, technology, health care, child care, course materials, rent, food or other expenses related to the cost of attendance.
- If I am eligible, how can I make sure I will receive my funding quickly?
- Respond to our notification. If you choose to receive a refund instead of having the funds apply directly to your student account, please set up an e-refund account on my.hofstra.edu. Instructions can be found at https://www.hofstra.edu/pdf/sfs/sfs-set-up-erefund-account.pdf
- Is the HEERF II grant considered financial aid?
- No. It is a one-time grant that does not have to paid back. It has no impact on your current or future financial aid eligibility.
- Why didn’t I receive a Hofstra HEERF II Grant?
- Congress directed schools to distribute the funding to their students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. If you are eligible for federal financial aid programs, you probably didn’t receive a grant because you did not meet the criteria of greatest financial need.
For other emergency needs, the Hofstra Student Emergency Assistance fund may be able to help you with emergency aid from other institutional or private donations. These funds are limited and do not generally exceed $500, but we encourage you to apply.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. This funding was designed to help those students with the most need as demonstrated through filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), as defined by the federal government.
Consistent with the federal guidelines, in order to distribute the funding as quickly as possible and assist our neediest students, the University used the FAFSA 2019-2020 to determine eligibility. Only students who met these eligibility criteria for federal financial aid were considered for these funds. We informed our neediest students through the campus notification system, and asked those qualified students to certify their eligibility to receive funding, as defined by the CARES Act.
Hofstra University will continue to work to raise funds and assist our community through the pandemic. We are working through changing times and we appreciate your patience and cooperation.
CARES Act FAQ
- What is the CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provided by the federal government?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. - When will CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds be available?
As of the week of May 4, we began to notify students of their eligibility. Because we used the FAFSA as the standard for distribution, we were able to release funding directly to qualified students once they certified their eligibility. Eligible students received a text message, as well as an email to their Pride email address. - Who is eligible for the CARES/Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds?
Students who met basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who had the greatest financial need were considered for these funds. Hofstra University used the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine student eligibility. - What is a Hofstra CARES ACT Relief Grant?
The letter from the Secretary of Education regarding CARES Act funding asked that universities prioritize the neediest students while reaching the widest number of students. Hofstra’s goal was to provide economic relief quickly to students who may have experienced additional expenses in response to the disruption of normal campus operations due to COVID 19. Hofstra directed the CARES Act funding to our neediest students, 2844 in total, providing relief grants between $725 to $1500, based on family income reported on the FAFSA. These funds were meant to help students pay expenses for technology, health care, child care, course materials, rent, food, moving or other expenses incurred after the interruption of our campus operations. - Why didn’t I receive a Hofstra CARES Act Relief Grant?
Under U.S. Department of Education rules for the program, students who are not eligible for federal financial aid programs are not eligible for federal CARES grants. If you are eligible for financial aid programs, you probably didn’t receive a grant because you did not meet the criteria of greatest financial need.
For other emergency needs, the Hofstra Student Emergency Assistance fund may be able to help you with emergency aid from other institutional or private donations. These funds are limited and do not generally exceed $500, but we encourage you to apply. - Will there be CARES funds for 2020-2021?
Hofstra University is advocating for additional federal stimulus money for tuition and more emergency grants funding for universities and students. The status of future funding through more legislative action is not yet clear; however, we will continue to advocate for support for our students.