HEERF III (ARP) Information
The Federal ARP Act
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by 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.
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.
Additional information on the ARP Act can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html.
Required reporting
All institutions receiving ARP Act funding are required to complete multiple reports.
HEERF III Grant FAQ
Who is eligible to receive an emergency grant through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021?
- To be eligible, students must be currently enrolled in at least one credit hour and be classified as degree-seeking. Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible for this funding.
How much money am I eligible to receive?
- Per the U.S. Department of Education guidelines, priority will be placed on students
with exceptional financial need and domestic students. Broadly speaking, three funding
groups have been established:
- Pell-eligible students will receive $1,500.
- All other domestic students – graduate or undergraduate – will receive $1,000.
- International students may apply for $750 in assistance by completing an electronic application that was emailed to them.
Will the money automatically apply to my student account balance?
- No, per the U.S. Department of Education guidelines, Missouri State University cannot automatically apply the funds to an outstanding balance. However, at the time of award students will be given the opportunity to elect to have their grant funds applied toward any outstanding balance currently owed. Neither funding amounts nor availability of funds will be based on this choice and all grant recipients will have the option to receive a full refund, regardless of what may be owed to the institution.
When will the money be available?
- The funds should be available for eligible students in early October.
What should I do to ensure I receive my grant money as quickly as possible?
- We strongly encourage all students to setup and authorize Non-Payroll Direct Deposit to ensure refunds are received quickly and securely. Students who do not setup Non-Payroll Direct Deposit will be issued a paper check that will be mailed to the permanent address on record. Mailing refund checks is not the preferred method because it takes longer and makes it more difficult for students to access their refund money. Instructions to set up Non-Payroll Direct Deposit can be found online.
How do international students apply for funding?
- An online electronic application was emailed to all eligible international students on September 30.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at FinancialAid@MissouriState.edu