Axe ’Em, Jacks!
American Rescue Plan - Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds III
On May 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education approved additional funding for institutions of higher education through the American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
All students enrolled for the fall 2021 term, excluding dual credit, will automatically receive these funds prior to the start of the fall term until funds are exhausted. Disbursement updates began Aug. 3, 2021. Students can check the eBill tab in mySFA for fund award amount.
All HEERF III funds have been distributed to students as of April 19, 2022.
American Rescue Plan Fund Report
Acknowledgment:
Stephen F. Austin State University has received additional funding from HEERF III through the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law March 11, 2021. The university has been allocated $30,256,363 through ARP. The university has allocated $15.3 million of the funds received under Public Law 117-2 to directly serve students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for SFA Students: $15,344,767
Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to Students under Section 2003 of the ARP (a)(1) program: $15,344,767
Estimated number of SFA students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the American Rescue Plan: 12,527
Number of SFA students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 2003 under the ARP (a)(1) program: 12,527
HEERF III (ARP) FAQ
What is the American Rescue Plan Fund?
Per the Department of Education, this fund provides direct relief to students and ensures learning continues during the COVID-19 national emergency.
Who is eligible to receive emergency funds?
Per the U.S. Department of Education, eligible students are those who are enrolled and have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are not required to have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) to qualify.
For the fall 2021 term, dual credit students are excluded from receiving emergency aid grant funds.
How does a student apply for these emergency funds?
There is no requirement for a fall 2021 application to obtain emergency aid grant funds. All students enrolled for the fall term will automatically receive American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) funds, excluding dual credit students.
How much will eligible students receive?
The amount provided to each student will vary depending on his or her need and funding availability.
HEERF III (ARP) Quarterly Reporting for Institutional Expenditures
- June 30, 2022 report (revised Sept. 23, 2022)
- March 31, 2022 report
- Dec. 31, 2021 report
- Sept. 30, 2021 report
HEERF II (CRRSAA) Reporting
NOTE: On Jan. 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education approved additional funding for institutions of higher education through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The application opened March 19, 2021 and is now closed. All HEERF II funds have been distributed to students as of March 31, 2021.
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Fund Report
Acknowledgment:
Stephen F. Austin State University has received additional Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II) through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), which was signed into law December 27, 2020. The university has been allocated $17,133,422 through CRRSAA. The university intends to use $5.2 million of the funds received under Section 314(a)(1) Public Law 116-260 to serve students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for SFA Students: $5,262,539
Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to Students under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as of March 31, 2021: $5,262,539
Estimated number of SFA students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act: 4,737
Number of SFA students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 314(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act as of March 31, 2021: 4,315
HEERF II (CRRSAA) FAQ
What is the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act Emergency Relief Fund?
Per the Department of Education, this fund is additional assistance needed to enable institutions an opportunity to better address academic needs as well as the safety and well-being of the campus community.
Who is eligible to receive emergency funds?
Per the U.S. Department of Education, eligible students are those who are enrolled and have exceptionally high need. Students are not required to have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify. Dual credit and students enrolled exclusively in online courses are eligible.
Who is not eligible to receive CRRSAA emergency funds?
DACA and international students do not qualify.
How does a student apply for these emergency funds?
Students must complete an online application to be considered for Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funding. Access to the application is available to eligible students on their mySFA account, under the Important Notifications tab. The U.S. Department of Education guidelines require documentation indicating that a student has experienced a financial hardship caused by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. A Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act introduction letter is being sent to students' SFA email with information on eligibility and directions on how to apply.
HEERF I (CARES) Reporting
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, was passed by Congress on March 27th, 2020. The CARES Act includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Funding was allocated to Stephen F. Austin State University to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.
CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief 30-day Fund Report
Acknowledgment:
Stephen F. Austin State University has been allocated $10,525,078 in higher education emergency relief funds through the CARES Act. SFA signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form. The university intends to use $5.2 million or 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Estimated number of SFA students eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965; thus making them eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants through the CARES Act: 9,249
Number of SFA students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of Oct. 10, 2020: 7,662
Award Phases
- Established three awarding phases based on spring 2020, summer 2020, and fall 2020 terms.
- Phase I identified spring 2020 enrolled students that submitted a FAFSA.
- Identified students which indicated a financial hardship caused by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 on a submitted SFA Emergency Financial Aid Grant application.
- Students identified as international, non-U.S. citizens, dual credit, enrolled exclusively in an online program prior to March 13, 2020, or not having a good Satisfactory Academic Progress status were excluded based on the U.S. Department of Education guidelines.
- Phase II will serve eligible students enrolled in summer 2020; Phase III will serve eligible students enrolled in fall 2020.
Method used to determine how much an eligible student would receive
- Created an SFA Emergency Financial Aid Grant application with financial need categories, such as housing/rent, transportation, food, technology, childcare.
- Internal values were assigned to each financial need category.
- Two award levels were determined based on the financial need category values.
- Grant fund levels for Phase I were set at $500 and $300.
- Grant fund levels for Phase II and III may adjust based on availability of funds and number of eligible students.
Instructions, directions and information provided to SFA students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants
- Established a Coronavirus/COVID-19 Information web page.
- Developed a FAQ resource for web page.
- Sent an email to all currently enrolled students introducing them to the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Grant and providing instructions on how to apply.
- Established tailored messages within the students’ mySFA portal regarding eligibility and application information.
- Created an application for the emergency financial aid grants, which could be accessed via a student’s mySFA account under the Important Information tab.
- Provided an acknowledgment response upon submission of the application.
- Emailed communication to students’ SFA email regarding Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
- Provided direction for any questions to be directed to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office; this included students with extenuating circumstances beyond the scope of the emergency financial aid grants.
What is the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund?
Federal funding that has been entrusted to higher education institutions in order to provide emergency grant funds to eligible students who experienced a financial hardship caused by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.
Who is eligible to receive emergency funds?
Per the U.S. Department of Education, eligible students are those who filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or who are eligible to file a FAFSA.
Who is not eligible to receive CARES Act emergency funds?
Per the U.S. Department of Education, international, dual credit, non-U.S. citizen students and students enrolled exclusively in online courses prior to March 13, 2020, are not eligible for CARES Act funding.
How does a student apply for these emergency funds?
Students must complete an online application to be considered for CARES Act funding. Access to the application is available to eligible students on their mySFA account, under the Important Notifications tab. The U.S. Department of Education guidelines require documentation indicating that a student has experienced a financial hardship caused by the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. A CARES Act introduction letter is being sent to students' SFA email with information on eligibility and directions on how to apply.