HEERF III
ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)
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 theCoronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency fundstotal $76.2 billion.
CNEI signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The institution has used, or intends to use, 100 percent of the funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can 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. Unlike the CARES Act, the HEERF III (ARP) requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants.
CNEI has available $133,370 in HEERF III Emergency Grants for eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate that 169 students will be eligible for these funds.
These are grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment. The HEERF III (CRRSAA and ARP) emergency grant provides temporary, short-term, emergency financial assistance to eligible students who are experiencing an unforeseen hardship that could adversely affect their educational success. The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.
CNEI received our allocation of HEERF III funds from the U.S. Department of Education on July 27, 2021.
CNEI has distributed $87,270 of HEERF III funds to 75 students as of September 30, 2021.
CNEI has distributed $125,770 of HEERF III funds to 108students as of December 31, 2021.
CNEI has distributed the entire $133,370 of HEERF III funds to 115 students as of March 31, 2022.
Eligibility Criteria
- Currently enrolled CNEI students in programs longer than 6 months. Students that subsequently enroll are also eligible until funds are exhausted. Withdrawn, Graduated, LOA students are not eligible until they become current students.
- Students that have already received HEERF I or HEERF II funds are also eligible for these funds.
- Unexpended HEERF II funds as of August 1, 2021 will also be disbursed according to the criteria set forth on HEERF III disbursements.
We will begin distributing grants to eligible as quickly as possible, and anticipate the first round of checks will be available to pick up at the school by mid-August. Recipients will be notified in class and via school email. We will mail out the check for any student that requests it.
Method of Calculation: CNEI will provide funds in 3 groups.
Group 1: Your 2021/22 FAFSA EFC is 0. You can expect to receive $1300. Disbursement will be automatic.
Group 2: Your 2021/22 FAFSA EFC is 1-5,846. You can expect to receive $1200. Disbursement will be automatic.
Group 3: Your 2021/22 FAFSA EFC is 5,847 or above. Students will need to apply. Applications are available at the Financial Aid Office or you can email Todd Huff THuff@cnei.edu. After you apply, you can expect to receive $1100.