ARP: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) III

This information is provided to comply with the U.S. Department of Education’s HEERF reporting requirements.

NOTE: Information available on additional COVID-19 funding provided UC and students. Information on UC's response to coronavirus is also available at our university COVID-19 resource site. 

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

The University of Cincinnati (UC) has signed a Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education to accept allocated funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2. UC's allocation for HEERF III is $69,995,422, of which $35,417,151 is to be used as "student aid portion" and $34,578,271 for institutional expenses.

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

Funding was again distributed by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education aimed at institutional support as well as direct student assistance. Fund usage by UC is also reported and posted quarterly.

The University of Cincinnati recognizes that students continue to see the affects of the COVID pandemic. While a return to normalcy is desired and is becoming more a reality, the coronavirus continues to impact the campus community and students day-to-day. Economic impacts of the pandemic continue to be an issue.

Students enrolled in an institution of higher education during the COVID-19 national emergency are eligible for emergency financial aid grants via HEERF III. Unlike with HEERF I & II where completion of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and eligibility for Title IV aid was required, HEERF III allows some flexibility. At the same time, institutions are directed when making HEERF III awards to once again prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants or are undergraduates with extraordinary financial circumstances.

The university seeks to help as many students as possible address the unexpected expenses and losses due to COVID-19. Funds are to be distributed to students as follows (with additional awarding measures detailed as they are developed):

• Spring and summer 2021
  • Up to $2000 in Federal Emergency Relief 3 awards
    • Enrolled for spring 2021 or summer 2021 as reviewed on July 6, 2021
    • Shown to have financial issues at this time by having an unpaid balance owed the university
      • Total expenditure:  $2,158,450.96
       
• Fall 2021
  • $2000 in Federal Emergency Relief 3 awards
    • Enrolled at least half-time as reviewed on August 11 and September 2 and 17
      
    • High financial need as shown by completing the FAFSA
    • Some awards made using remaining HEERF II funding
      
      • Total expenditure:  $13,770,164.50
  •  6 hours tuition or assistance with balance in Federal Emergency Relief 3 awards
    • Enrolled in UCBA Bearcat Reboot or Bearcat Come Back program
      
    • Total expenditure:  $13,464
      
      
• Spring 2022
  • $2000 in Federal Emergency Relief 3 awards
    • Enrolled at least half-time as reviewed on January 7 & 25
      
    • High financial need as shown by completing the FAFSA
      • Total expenditure:  $12,876,000

• Emergency Fund Applications
  • Up to $1,000 in Federal Emergency Relief 3E awards
  • Consideration
    
    • Experienced additional expenses related to education while enrolled or had a loss of income (for you or for someone that would have assisted in meeting your educational costs) due to COVID
    • Enrolled at UC for one or multiple terms since spring 2020 including awarding term
    • Awards may be limited by other HEERF3 funding up to or exceeding $1,000
  • Application
    • Student may be awarded, placed on hold, or denied during the review period. 
    • Primary consideration will be given to students who have high financial need (as demonstrated through completing the FAFSA), have been enrolled multiple terms during the pandemic, and have not already received CARES or HEERF funding.
    • Apply for UC Federal Emergency Relief 3 Appeal via Scholarship Search tile within Catalyst available beginning July 1, 2021, and remaining open as applications are reviewed. [Application has been closed as of October 20, 2021, with the allocation of available funding allotted through fall 2021 exhausted.]
    • Apply for UC Federal Emergency Relief 3 Appeal - Spring 2022 via Scholarship Search tile within Catalyst beginning February 7, 2022, and remaining open as applications are reviewed and funding remains available. [Application was closed as of March 3, 2022, given we will have reached our allocation limit with submitted applications.]
      • Total Expenditure Spring & Summer 2021: $1,108,801
      • Total Expenditure Fall 2021: $3,058,028
        
      • Total Expenditure Spring 2022: $2,432,242.54
       
• UCBA Regional Campus Summer 2022
  
  • Up to $300 in Federal Emergency Relief UCBA awards 
    • Enrolled for summer 2022 and in a UCBA degree-seeking program by June 25, 2022
    • 2021-22 FAFSA on file with an EFC of less than 90,000
    • $300 awarded if Pell-eligible; $100 awarded if not.
      • Total expenditure: $128,700

NOTE: The University of Cincinnati meets the definition of high need and Federal Pell Grant eligibility though the expected family contribution (EFC) determined by a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate aid year. Students eligible to complete the FAFSA should do so.

Awards made will post to financial aid awards and student accounts as Federal Emergency Relief Funds 3. Federal Emergency Relief Funds are intended to help with expenses due to coronavirus.

Awarded students will be given the opportunity via an assigned To Do item in Catalyst to have their Federal Emergency Relief Funds applied toward any outstanding charges owed to UC (with excess amounts refunded to the student) or have funds entirely refunded to the student. Students who do not make an election one way or another could have refunds delayed 21 days when the full amount of the Emergency Relief would be issued.

Awards and the associated refunds will appear on your award offer and then the bill within Catalyst.

Even if you request funds to be applied to your outstanding charges, receipt of a refund does not indicate your financial obligations to UC have been paid.

Always review your current financial status within Catalyst, and monitor it routinely during the term (and particularly after course changes) to see that any charges to your bill are addressed. Failure to meet payment obligations can carry penalties including late fees and registration blocks. 

Students should confirm they are currently enrolled in direct deposit with an active bank account to speed any refund process. Direct deposit enrollees will see deposits into your bank account 2-3 days after the refund transaction appears on your student account. Students without direct deposit will be sent a paper check that could take up to 10 days for processing.