COVID-19

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), 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 CRRSA Act (2021) and the CARES Act (2020).

UWest has received $234,939 in HEERF III funds to provide emergency grants to students. The funds are intended to assist students with their educational costs or various emergency expenses incurred due to Covid-19, such as food, housing, course materials, healthcare (including mental health care), and childcare.

Who is eligible for the HEERF III Grant?

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s final rule (May 14, 2021, 86 FR 26608), the HEERF funding is available to all students regardless of their Title IV aid status. This means that DACA recipients, Dreamers, similar undocumented students as well as international students are now eligible for HEERF student grants.

How is the HEERF III Grant Distributed?

Similar to the previous HEERF funding, the U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to prioritize HEERF III grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as Pell Grant recipients and recipients of other state need-based grants. In compliance with this directive, UWest has developed a HEERF III Student Grants distribution plan based on student’s Pell Grant and Cal Grant status, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), as well as enrollment status.

Summer 2021 HEERF III Student Grant

To assist students with additional summer tuition costs and expenses related to the Covid-19 pandemic, a portion of the HEERF III funding will be awarded to all degree- and certificate-seeking students currently enrolled for a summer 2021 session.

UWest has identified 15 students who are eligible to receive the Summer 2021 student grant.

Pell Grant or Cal Grant eligible student: $600
Non-Pell or non-Cal Grant eligible student: $150

Spring 2021 HEERF III Student Grant

Based on Pell Grant or Cal Grant eligibility, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the 2020-2021 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and enrollment status for Spring 2021, students who were enrolled half-time or above in a degree or certificate program at UWest in Spring 2021 will be awarded a supplemental HEERF grant.

UWest has identified 165 students who are eligible for the Spring 2021 student grant.

Block 1 Grant: $1,000
2020-21 Pell or Cal Grant eligible student

Block 2 Grant: $500
Eligible 2020-21 EFC: $0 ~ $10,000
Enrolled half-time or above*

Block 3 Grant: $300
Eligible 2020-21 EFC: Greater than $10,000
Enrolled half-time or above*

Block 4 Grant: $150
FAFSA or CADAA was not received for 2020-21**
Enrolled half-time or above*

* 6 or more undergraduate units / 5 or more graduate units

**This population includes international students, undocumented students without AB540 status, and students who did not fill out a 2020-21 FAFSA or CADAA.

Fall 2021 HEERF III Student Grant

Based on Pell Grant or Cal Grant eligibility, Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated in the 2021-2022 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and enrollment status for Fall 2021, domestic students who were enrolled at least half-time in a degree or certificate program at UWest in Fall 2021 will be awarded a HEERF III grant.

UWest has identified 78 students who are eligible for the Fall 2021 student grant.

Block 1-a Grant: $3,000
2021-22 Pell or Cal Grant eligible student

Block 1-b Grant: $3,000
DACA recipients, Dreamers, and other similar undocumented students

Block 2 Grant: $1,350
Eligible 2021-22 EFC: $0 ~ $10,000
Enrolled half-time or above*

Block 3 Grant: $500
Eligible 2021-22 EFC: $10,001 ~ $60,000
Enrolled half-time or above*

* 6 or more undergraduate units / 5 or more graduate units

HEERF III Grant Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the HEERF III Grants?

To distribute the funding as quickly as possible and assist students with exceptional need, UWest will not require an application for students to receive the HEERF III grants.

Do I have to file a FAFSA or CADAA to be eligible for the HEERF III Grants?

The general answer is no. A FAFSA or CADAA is not required to receive the HEERF III Grants. However, we use FAFSA data to determine the amount of the HEERF III student grants.

For the HEERF III Spring and Summer 2021 Grants, students with no FAFSA or CADAA on file will automatically receive the Block 4 Grant.

For the HEERF III Fall 2021 Grant, student eligibility requirements have been adjusted to prioritize funding towards domestic undergraduate students. Therefore, international students and domestic students with no FAFSA record on file will not receive a grant this time.

Will these funds be applied to my student account and then sent to my bank account?

The funds will be processed through your student account, but they will be payable directly to you via direct deposit, if available, or by paper check. The funds can be applied toward your current or future UWest charges ONLY if you provide a written HEERF Grant Student Consent to UWest. A Consent Form is provided in the HEERF III email notification that has been already sent to you.

Will these funds affect my current or future financial aid eligibility?

No. These funds are not considered Title IV financial aid.

Are these funds taxable?

No. Like previous HEERF Student Grants, the HEERF III Grants are not subject to federal and state tax according to the IRS.

If you have any further questions regarding the ARP HEERF III Grants, please contact UWest’s Financial Aid Director at lezliyf@uwest.edu.

Financial Aid Review for Special Circumstances under ARP

Directed by the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, we have been working to determine how best to allocate the funding to prioritize grants for students with exceptional need. In determining the amount of the Fall 2021 HEERF III Student Grant, we will review data from the 2021-22 FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA).

The current information we have on file for financial need (FAFSA or CADAA) is based upon income and tax return data from 2019. For some students and families, this information may not accurately represent their current financial circumstances.

If you or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly due to the recent unemployment or income reduction, or other special circumstances, you may request financial aid adjustments to your FAFSA or CADAA through a special circumstances review called “Professional Judgement” under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Education. Please reach out to our Financial Aid Office at financialaid@uwest.edu and they will review your situation to determine what documentation you will need to submit to support your request for this review.

We plan to begin distributing the Fall 2021 HEERF III Student Grant around the mid-term of the Fall 2021 Semester. To avoid any delay in the grant distribution, we encourage you to reach out to us as soon as possible if you would like to request a “Professional Judgement” review for 2021-22.

NOTE: The HEERF funding is a complex, challenging, and fluid situation which continues to evolve rapidly. All information is subject to change as deemed necessary by University of the West in accordance with guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education.