Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III)
Spring Semester 2022
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed by Congress and signed into law March 11, 2021 and is the third round of funding under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) during the coronavirus pandemic. The funding package provides aid to higher education students to cover components of cost of attendance and emergency costs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
The total HEERF III Emergency Grants awarded was $2,524,878. Of those funds, Piedmont University awarded and disbursed $1,396,150 fall semester 2021. There is a balance of $1,128,728 in HEERF III Emergency Grant funds to be awarded for spring semester 2022. HEERF III funds will be awarded to all students enrolled spring semester 2022 as of February 1, 2022 at Piedmont University. Any student with a total withdrawal/void/drop on or before February 1, 2022 will be considered not enrolled.
The Federal HEERF III Emergency Grant requires the University to prioritize a greater portion of funding to undergraduate students that exhibit exceptional need. “Exceptional need” is defined as demonstrating via the FAFSA an expected family contribution (EFC) number within the Pell eligible range with an EFC less than 5,847. HEERF Grant III awards for spring semester 2022 will be based on 2021-2022 FAFSA expected family contribution (EFC) and verification status as of date of award.
HEERF III awards will range from $1,050 to $300 depending on EFC. Students who have not completed a FAFSA will qualify for an award at the lowest tier level: $400 undergraduate and $300 graduate. Students in verification of any element on FAFSA that affects EFC at time of initial distribution will be awarded the grant at the lowest tier level: $400 undergraduate and $300 graduate. Verification exception will be those students selected for verification of Identity and Statement of Purpose only (V4 status). These students will be awarded based on their EFC. Any adjustments after February 1st will be dependent on availability of funding. Deadline for Spring 2022 HEERF III awards and adjustments is April 1, 2022.
HEERF III Emergency Grants will be processed through the Student Accounts Office and will be directly refunded to eligible students. It will not be applied to student account balances unless authorization is given by the student. Any outstanding balance is the financial responsibility of the student.
Students should complete an authorization form found at: HEERF III Authorization Form. Eligible students are recommended to setup a direct deposit profile to obtain funding as quickly as possible.
Submitted: February 4, 2022
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III)
Fall Semester 2021
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed by Congress and signed into law March 11, 2021, and is the third round of funding under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) during the coronavirus pandemic. The funding package provides aid to higher education students to cover components of cost of attendance and emergency costs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Eligibility criteria for automatic funding for HEERF III: Phase I at Piedmont University:
• Enrolled in fall semester 2021 at Piedmont University
The Federal HEERF III Emergency Grant requires the University to prioritize a greater portion of funding to undergraduate students that exhibit exceptional need. “Exceptional need” is defined as demonstrating via the FAFSA an expected family contribution (EFC) number within the Pell eligible range. For HEERF III awards, an EFC of less than 5,847 demonstrates exceptional need. Students who have not completed a FAFSA will qualify for an award, however they will not receive the “exceptional need” level of award. Students will be prioritized for these funds based on a valid 2021-2022 FAFSA and need calculation from the Department of Education. HEERF III Grants will range from $1,050 to $300 depending on EFC.
Reconciliation of HEERF III Emergency Grants will be conducted in October 2021 to identify and award students registered after the initial list was collected and to adjust grants upward due to decreases in EFC or receipt of FAFSA. Students in verification at time of initial distribution will be awarded the grant at the lowest tier level: $400 undergraduate and $300 graduate. Adjustments to the grant will be made accordingly during the October 2021 reconciliation. Grants will not be decreased once awarded.
HEERF III Emergency Grants will be processed through the Student Accounts Office and will be directly refunded to eligible students. It will not be applied to student account balances unless authorization is given by the student. Any outstanding balance is the financial responsibility of the student.
Students should complete an authorization form found at: HEERF III Authorization Form. With this acknowledgment, students will confirm HEERF III Grant funds:
- Do not have to be repaid.
- Will not be automatically applied to student account balances unless authorized by student.
- May be reported as income on their 2021 1098-T IRS Form.
- Disbursement will be deposited to their bank account via direct deposit authorization.
Eligible students are recommended to setup a direct deposit profile to obtain funding as quickly as possible.
Submitted: July 28, 2021
ARPA/HEERF III Funding Section 314(a)(1) | Student Portion Quarterly Reports
June 30, 2022 (Please Note: Format for Student Portion Quarterly Report has changed per DOE guidance)
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)
Spring Semester 2021
On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education approximately $22.7 billion to distribute to institutions of higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF. The CRRSAA requires that institutions receiving funding under section 314(a)(1) provide the “same amount” of funding in financial aid grants to students that it was required to provide under its original Student Aid Portion (CFDA 84.425E) allocation amount, as listed on the CARES Act Section18004(a)(1) allocation table.
Unlike the CARES Act, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, in awarding financial aid grants to students. 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. The university has the discretion to determine the amount of each individual emergency financial aid grant consistent with all applicable laws including non-discrimination laws.
Piedmont University HEERF II: $2,872,263
Institute Allocation: $1,989,102
Student Grant Allocation: $ 883,161
Distribution of Student Allocation of Financial Aid Grants:
- HEERF II Student Grants were determined by using a tier distribution method based on financial need as determined by a valid 2020-2021 FAFSA expected family contribution (EFC). Student criteria included all undergraduate students that completed a 2020-2021 FAFSA who were enrolled spring semester 2021 at least 6 hours on or after February 14, 2021, which had expected family contributions (EFC) less than $40,500 with these exclusions:
- Dual Enrolled Students
- Transient Students
- DACA, International Students and Non-US Citizens – Must be U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen
- Undergraduate Students with EFCs greater than $40,500 or no FAFSA
- Graduate Students
- Students with incomplete verification on 2020-2021 FAFSA (if applicable)
HEERF II Determination:
In these unusual and unprecedented times, Piedmont University recognized that students may face unexpected challenges in reaching their educational goals and require short-term financial support to achieve success. Financial grants were distributed to qualifying students who had coronavirus-related cost of attendance or emergency needs. The main criteria for the grant were for the student to demonstrate a genuine need and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.
As of June 2, 2021, Piedmont University distributed HEERF II student fund in the amount of $883,900 to 917 students. Students were prioritized for these funds based on a valid 2020-2021 FAFSA and need calculation from the Department of Education. Grants ranged from $1,050 to $800 depending on EFC. HEERF II funds were distributed to qualifying students who had coronavirus-related costs that included any component of their cost of attendance or emergency needs as stated in the Act. Funds were given to undergraduate students with the highest need meeting the eligibility criteria set by the University:
- Enrolled as an undergraduate student for spring 2021 in a degree or certificate program.
- Enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours or more) on or after February 14, 2021.
- U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Complete a need analysis, which is measured by the 2020-21 FAFSA with Expected Family Contribution (EFC) below $40,500.
Piedmont University students meeting the eligibility requirements submitted a Coronavirus Student Funding Acknowledgment to expedite their grant payment. https://piedmontcollegega.wufoo.com/forms/q3ietai131o79w/ With this acknowledgment, students confirmed HEERF II Grant funds:
- Did not have to be repaid.
- Will not be automatically applied to student account balances.
- May be reported as income on their 2021 1098-T IRS Form.
- Disbursement will be deposited to their bank account via direct deposit authorization.
Upon receipt of acknowledgment form and direct deposit authorization, HEERF II Grant funds were processed for deposit into students' bank account.
This is the institution’s final quarterly posting for the Student Portion of HEERF II funds. The Student Portion of HEERF II funds have been disbursed in full.
Submitted: June 10, 2021
HEERF II Report: March 31, 2021
HEERF II Report: June 30, 2021
CARES ACT – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I)
Spring Semester 2020
Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students
In compliance with Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”), directing institutions receiving funds under Section 18004(e) of the Act to submit a report to the Secretary of the Department of Education. This required report describes the use of the distributed HEERF funds and must be posted on the institution’s primary website within 30 days of the Certification and Agreement letter and updated every 45 days thereafter.
Piedmont’s 30-Day Fund Report Posted May 12, 2020:
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Piedmont’s Certification and Agreement is accessible through the link provided.
- The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student.
Piedmont received $883,161 in funding for distribution to students.
- The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).
Through May 11, 2020, Piedmont has distributed $883,165 to eligible students.
- The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Piedmont’s estimated number of students is 2,191 (1,131 Undergraduate level and 1,060 Graduate level)
- The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Through May 11, Piedmont has distributed funds to 945 students.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Piedmont established eligibility parameters based on a student’s financial need determined by their 2019-2020 FAFSA expected family contribution (EFC). Student criteria include all undergraduate students that completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA who were enrolled on or after March 16, 2020, which had expected family contributions (EFC) under the highest need threshold with the exclusion of:
- Dual Enrolled Students
- Transient Students
- International Students
- Leadership Studies Students
- Non-Degree Seeking Students
- Undergraduate Students with EFCs over the need threshold
- Graduate Students
- Students ineligible for Federal Title IV financial aid
The amount of automatic disbursement ranges from $1,000 to $761.25 per student based upon need determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Any questions regarding eligibility for HEERF funds may be directed to the Financial Aid Office at finaid@piedmont.edu.
- Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Piedmont sent a personalized letter to all recipients of the distribution.
This is the institution’s final quarterly posting for the Student Portion of HEERF I funds. The Student Portion of HEERF I funds have been disbursed in full.
Submitted May 12, 2020