Fall 2021
Funding for Institutional Aid
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) which includes a third stream of funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) "to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus". Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act), and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.
Quarterly report ending December 31, 2021
Funding for Student Aid
51³Ô¹ÏÍø received $2,112,454.00 for the HEERF III Student Aid Portion. The funds are to be used by 51³Ô¹ÏÍø to issue direct grants to students whose lives have been disrupted by Covid-19. Pursuant to the ARP Act, the grants are to be used by students for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health care), and child care.
The ARP Act requires institutions to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need. Unlike the previous two acts, non-U.S. citizens (DACA, undocumented, and international students) are eligible to receive HEERF III funding.
During the week of November 8, 2021, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø will have distributed $2,112,454.00 in HEERF III emergency financial aid grants to 1,111 students.
Eligible students will receive an email from JS Hope, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Investment Officer, the week preceding intended distribution (November 8, 2021). The HEERF III grant will be disbursed to eligible students' 51³Ô¹ÏÍø student accounts, and immediately refunded in-full.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for the HEERF III grant please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@colgate.edu.
If you have any questions about receiving your HEERF III funding, contact the Office of Student Accounts at stuaccounts@colgate.edu or 315-228-4817.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Non-U.S. citizens will be considered for HEERF III grants and may be eligible if they demonstrate exceptional need.
No. However, institutions are required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need.
HEERF III grant amounts will vary but the maximum award will be no more than $2,393.49.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø prioritized awarding of emergency grants to students with the greatest financial need, as demonstrated by their EFC.
No application is necessary to receive these funds.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø will distribute $2,112,454.00 to eligible students the week of November 8, 2021. If 51³Ô¹ÏÍø had your banking information on file (either as a TouchNet e-refund account or Payroll direct deposit), it distributed the funds to you electronically. Otherwise, a check was mailed to your 51³Ô¹ÏÍø mailbox.
No. 100% of your grant was refunded to you. If you wish to use it to pay any remaining student account balance you may make a regular payment.
No, this funding does not impact your financial aid eligibility.
No. This is a grant and not a loan.
Based on current guidance from the Department of Education, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø does not anticipate requesting or requiring documentation on your use of the grant funds. However, as noted above, the funds are to be used for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health care), and child care.
The IRS has indicated that this grant is not taxable. For further information, .