HEERF III Funds

Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, Elmhurst University has been authorized to distribute emergency cash grants to students as part of the funding allocated in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III).

The University has accepted this supplemental funding from the Department of Education assuring to use no less than $4,333,655 to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.  Elmhurst is also electing to use a portion of the Institutional Funding provided under this act to allow for an increase in the individual amounts granted to each student.

Note: This page is dedicated to the new funding (HEERF III) established by the ARP.  Information pertaining to the CARES Act can be found on our CARES Act Emergency Grants page, and information pertaining to the CRRSAA Act can be found on our HEERF II Funds page.

The University has established a committee to facilitate the distribution of this emergency funding while adhering to the regulations established by the Department of Education.  The University intends to distribute the majority of this funding as quickly as possible in order to provide maximum benefit to the students impacted by COVID-19.

ARP Student Distribution Data
Reporting DateGrant Funds DistributedNumber of Students Receiving Funds
10/10/2021$4,318,300.003,588
1/10/2022$4,318,300.003,588
4/10/2022$4,318,300.003,588
7/10/2022$4,333,6553,430
Number of Eligible Students: 3,588

Eligibility Requirements

  • Similar to the HEERF II funds, the HEERF III funds include no student eligibility requirements. However, Elmhurst University is required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as those who receive Pell Grants. The HEERF III funds can be awarded to online students as well. Eligible student groups include citizens, permanent residents, international students, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.
  • Elmhurst University consolidated its tiers of students from HEERF II. Tiers were created using 2021-22 EFC as a determining factor for undergraduate students. Students not completing a 2021-22 FAFSA were grouped accordingly.  Enrollment is based on Fall ’21, 10th day, September 10, 2021.

Definition of a Qualified Use of Funds

The emergency funds distributed by Elmhurst University as part of financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of the 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 child care.

FAQ

No. Students meeting the above eligibility requirements will automatically be considered for the emergency funds.

ARP requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. Therefore, we must have a 2021-22 FAFSA on file to determine group level and property prioritize students.

Eligibility is based on guidance from the Department of Education.

We want to consider your special circumstance as it relates to your 2021-22 FAFSA. If you, a spouse, or a parent experienced job loss, or wage or savings reduction associated with the economic impact of the coronavirus, it is recommended that you contact the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss the details of your situation. It may be an option to request a Special Circumstances appeal to determine if you are eligible for additional federal funds.

At this time, Elmhurst University does not require students to provide any information as it relates to the receipt or usage of these emergency funds.

EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) & Enrollment Level GroupsAmount
01 - Full-Time Undergraduate students receiving Pell$2,400
02 - Part-Time Undergraduate students receiving Pell$2,400
03 - Undergraduate students with FAFSA, non-Pell, EFT of $0-$9,999$1,500
04 - Undergraduate students with FAFSA, non-Pell, EFT of $10,000-$14,999$1,000
05 - Undergraduate students with FAFSA, non-Pell, EFT of $15,000-$19,999$700
06 - Undergraduate students with FAFSA, non-Pell, EFT of $20,000 or above$500
07 - Graduate FAFSA$1,000
08 - Undergraduate/Graduate no FAFSA$500
09 - Less than Half-Time Undergraduate/Graduate$500
10 - Non-Degree$500

No, these funds are considered to be emergency grant awards and do not need to be repaid to the federal government or the University.

No, students who receive these funds are not required to record or track how it is spent.

Elmhurst University will begin distributing money to eligible students once we confirm receipt from the Department of Education.  Funds will either be issued as a direct refund via ACH to those who have a refund account set up on TouchNet or via check mailed to your permanent address on file at the time of issue.  Time may vary depending on your situation.

No, this was not offered as an option for this round of money.

Please contact [email protected] for any and all questions about the HEERF III (ARP) emergency funds.

Questions?

Please contact us via email.

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