ARP Act - HEERF III

On May 19, 2021, Grinnell College received authorization for $1,563,297 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP Act.

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* Total Federal Student Allocation was $1,563,297, therefore this fund is fully expended as of 12/31/2021.

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Federal Requirements - All Recipients

• Eligible Students: All U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, and persons granted asylum, DACA recipients, other DREAMers, similar undocumented students, and international students.
• Prioritize Need: Prioritize students with exceptional need and encouraged to prioritize domestic students.

Institutional Requirements - Payment Method 1 (Application)

• Must have been enrolled at Grinnell College on or after 03/13/2020.
• Application submitted requesting funds and certifying use will be for any component of cost of attendance or emergency costs due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

Institutional Requirements - Payment Method 2 (Block Grant)

• Must be enrolled at Grinnell College as of the fall census, 5 p.m. Sept. 10, 2021.
• Must have applied for aid during the 2021–22 academic year and have institutionally determined financial need or federally determined financial need (in the absence of institutional need).

Procedures - Payment Method 1 (Application)

Active Confirmation: Due to the known urgent need of some students, we will begin awarding the student portion of the ARP Act of 2021 funding immediately using an online request form/application. The application will detail appropriate uses of the funds, and state that, by submitting the form, the student certifies the funds will be used for these COVID-19 related expenses. Students who have already contacted the Office of Financial Aid for assistance with COVID-19 related expenses will be emailed a link to complete the online request so funds can be awarded without delay. In addition, students currently enrolled who meet the general eligibility criteria will receive an email notification detailing the application process. This is expected to be delivered no later than July 16.

Students requesting funds must certify the following:

1. I have experienced a financial hardship due to the pandemic equivalent to or greater than the amount of funds requested.
2. I understand that submission of an application does not guarantee funds will be awarded. The application is strictly a request for funding.
3. I understand that any funds awarded are not part of any Title IV Federal Student Aid package for this year and will not count as estimated financial assistance in calculating my aid eligibility for next year.
4. I understand that any distribution of funds to me will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education as required by the federal ARP Act.
5. I understand that, if approved, funds will be disbursed directly to me and not applied toward any outstanding balance without my permission. Note: if you wish for funds to be applied/held on your student account, you must indicate your permission on the application.
6. I understand that receipt of funds does not necessarily indicate I have satisfied my financial obligations to Grinnell College for any prior, current, or future debts incurred.

• Award Breakdown: Award amount will be based on amount requested and certified by the student, not to exceed the maximum Pell grant amount of $6,345.
• Awarding the ARP Act student portion of funding immediately supports the intent of this funding, which is to provide aid to students that need it as quickly as possible. After funding has been disbursed from the applications process the College will consider awarding funds via block grants.

After students who have the greatest need have received their funding, Grinnell College will review the remaining balance of the funds and determine if student’s needs are still outstanding or if funds should be voluntarily declined due to lack of need by our students.

Procedures - Payment Method 2 (Block Grant)

Passive Confirmation: Grinnell College will use passive confirmation as HEERF III provides for any component of the student’s cost of attendance (COA) and for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. Students will be instructed to notify the Financial Aid Office if they do not or cannot meet the conditions listed in the email or if they wish to decline funds.

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Payment Method 1 (Application)

Initially, communication is taking place one-on-one with financial aid counselors.  Additional communication to follow.

Payment Method 2 (Block Grants)

Email to Automatic Payment Recipients

September 16, 2021

Dear,

Grinnell College received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) to provide Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF III) to students.  Grants are intended to be used to help cover expenses for any component of your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. 

The College determined you meet eligibility requirements to receive a HEERF III grant payment of $«float_in_12_CRSSA_HEERF».00 provided you were enrolled as of 5:00 PM September 10, 2021.  Payment will be processed during the month of October.

To receive funding quickly, you are encouraged to sign up for/review Direct Deposit payment information in the student self-service portal by September 20, 2021.  Recipients not enrolled in direct deposit will receive payment via paper check sent to their mailbox on campus.  Note: Using Direct Deposit for payroll is separate and does not link to bank information entered into the student self-service portal.

By accepting the HEERF III grant payment, you are certifying the following: 

1. I have experienced at least $«float_in_12_CRSSA_HEERF».00 in expenses for my cost of attendance and I will use the funds for these expenses. 
2. I understand that funds awarded are not part of my Title IV Federal Student Aid package for this year and will not count as estimated financial assistance in calculating my aid eligibility for next year.
3. I understand that distribution of funds to me will be reported to the U.S. Department of Education as required by the federal ARP Act. 
4. I understand funds will be disbursed directly to me and not applied toward any outstanding balance without my permission. Note: if you wish for funds to be applied to/held on your student account, you must email your request to Student Accounts no later than September 20, 2021.
5. I understand that receipt of these funds does not necessarily indicate I have satisfied my financial obligations to Grinnell College for any prior, current, or future debts incurred.

If you do not or cannot meet these conditions or wish to decline these funds, notify financial aid by September 20, 2021, and we will exclude you from this HEERF III grant payment process.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Office of Financial Aid

Grinnell College

641-269-3250

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