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. Grand Valley State University can grant $25,624,210 in Emergency Grants to Students. 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, is in the process of distributing HEERF III Grants. Students are encouraged to set up direct deposit so that funds are expedited should they receive an emergency grant.

Eligibility Requirements for Round 1:

• Have a valid 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at Grand Valley State University 
• Be enrolled in at least 0.5 credit hours in the Fall 2021 semester, as of October 19, 2021
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $29,999 to receive $1200
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between $30,000 and $49,999 to receive $500
  • Individual emails notifications were sent to students at the time of HEERF distribution.

Eligibility Requirements for Round  2:

• Have a valid 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file at Grand Valley State University 
• Be enrolled in at least 0.5 credit hours in the Winter 2022 semester, as of February 14, 2022
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $9,999 to receive $900
• Have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between $10,000 and $29,999 to receive $500
  • Individual emails notifications were sent to students at the time of HEERF distribution.
  • Students who received paper checks were notified that they had 30 days to cash them. Students who were not signed up for direct deposit were sent a separate email with instructions in order to expedite funds.
  • Reminders were sent two more times before the checks were reversed and the grants were removed.

Eligibility Requirements for Round 3 (past due balances; individual requests until funds were spent)

• Be enrolled in at least 0.5 credits during the 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 the process of, or were not going to submit a Special Circumstances 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.
  • Individual emails notifications were sent to students at the time of HEERF distribution
• Students with past due balances with charges incurred between the federal emergency declaration and spring/summer 2021 were identified.
  • Recipients were sent a link to indicate their Delivery Method preference, direct refund or apply to student account balance with permission.
  • If no delivery preference was indicated, funds were sent in the form of a physical check with a notice to cash within 30 days.
  • A student could opt to send an email giving permission to apply the funds towards their student account balance.
  • Uncashed checks were reversed and reallocated to other recipients through individual requests until funds were spent.