The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding II (HEERF II) is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), which was passed into law in December 2020. Grand Valley State University can grant $9,166,714 in Emergency Grants to Students, according to Section 314 (a)(1). The law requires that emergency grants be prioritized to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. The Grand Valley State University Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, in partnership with the Student Accounts Office, has distributed all HEERF II Grants. Students were encouraged to set up direct deposit so that funds could be expedited should they receive an emergency grant.

Eligibility Requirements for Round 1:

• Have a valid 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at Grand Valley State University 
• Be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the Winter 2021 semester, as of March 22, 2021
• Not have any outstanding FAFSA requirements
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less

Eligibility Requirements for Round 2:

• Have a valid 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at Grand Valley State University 
• Be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the Spring/Summer 2021 semester, as of June 24, 2021
• Not have any outstanding FAFSA requirements
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less
• Be an International student who previously submitted a COVID-19 emergency grant request but was not eligible for Federal CARES Act funds
• Be a non-FAFSA filer that has completed an Institutional Grant Assistance Request form but was not eligible for Federal CARES Act funds

Eligibility Requirements for Round 3 (individual requests until funds are spent):

• Be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour in the Spring/Summer 2021 semester, Fall 2021 semester, or Winter 2022 semester
• Submit a GVSU Financial Hardship Grant Request Form 
  • On the form, students indicated the following:
    • if they were asking for additional financial support to assist with GVSU account balance; textbooks, course materials, and supplies; food; housing costs (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.); internet access; technology (computer, tablet, etc.); healthcare costs; childcare expenses; or other needs;
    • how much they were requesting to receive;
    • if they had, were in process of, or were not going to submit a Special Conditions Form; and
    • if they wanted the funds to be credited towards their student account and applied towards charges on the account, with any remaining funds refunded, or if they wanted the funds sent to them directly via direct deposit or paper check.
  • All students enrolled for Fall 2021 were notified of the availability of emergency grant funds through an email that contained a link to the GVSU Financial Hardship Grant Request Form. 
  • Individual email notifications were sent to students at the time of HEERF distribution.