American Rescue Plan Act (ARP)

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

Students may use the grants toward any component of their cost of attendance such as tuition, food, housing, health care, childcare expenses, or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.

The ARP Act encourages institutions to prioritize undergraduate domestic students in allocating this funding.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Degree-seeking undergraduate students enrolled for the fall 2021 semester.
  • Distance education students are eligible
  • International students are eligible
  • Undocumented/DACA students are eligible
• Submission of a FAFSA is NOT required

WHAT STUDENTS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ARP ACT FUNDS?

• Non-degree seeking students
• Graduate students

WHAT ARE THE RELIEF GRANTS THAT ESU IS PAYING OUT TO STUDENTS?

The ARP Act directs universities to prioritize undergraduate students who show exceptional financial need. Therefore, Emporia State will use some of the ARP funds to provide a one-time automatic relief grant to students who are eligible for Pell grants and/or subsidized loans as determined by the 2021-22 FAFSA. Eligible students will be notified through their ESU Gmail account. Emails will come from ESU Cares (esucares@emporia.edu). Eligibility for the automatic relief grant will be evaluated for enrolled undergraduate students with a completed FAFSA (and have received a financial aid offer) through July 30th. FAFSAs/enrollment completed after July 30th will be approved at a later date based upon available funding.

Students who are not eligible for Pell and/or subsidized loans but meet the eligibility requirements (see “Who is eligible”) may submit an application to request assistance for ARP Act funds. Students who did not meet criteria for the auto grant but are eligible to apply have been notified by email. If you feel you should have received an email with the application link but did not please reach out to esucares@emporia.edu for assistance. Students who receive the automatic relief grant are NOT eligible for additional funding through the application process. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first served basis through July 30th. Completion of the ARP Act application does not guarantee funding.

HOW WILL ESU GET MY EMERGENCY RELIEF GRANT TO ME?

Funds will pay out during the week of September 6th and will be based on enrollment level at that time. For students who have direct deposit set up the funds will be deposited into the bank account authorized.

Students are strongly encouraged to set up direct deposit if they have not done so already. Checks will be mailed to permanent addresses by September 10th for those who choose not to set up direct deposit.

WHAT IF I HAVE AN OUTSTANDING BALANCE ON MY ACCOUNT? WILL MY FUNDS PAY THAT FIRST?

Not automatically. The full amount of the ARP relief grant will be paid directly to you unless you authorize payment toward the balance on your account. ESU will not hold funds to pay balances owed without your permission.

Send questions to esucares@emporia.edu

TOTAL FUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS

• As of 9/9/21, the total amount distributed is $3,299,000
• As of 10/9/21 the total amount distributed is $3,493,000
• As of 11/9/21, the total amount distributed is $3,665,000
• As of 12/10/21, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 1/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 2/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 3/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 4/11/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 5/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 6/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 7/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 8/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 9/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 10/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 11/10/22, the total amount distributed remains unchanged
• As of 12/6/22, the total amount distributed is $4,922,634.67
• As of 12/21/22, the total amount distributed is $ 4,922,244

TOTAL RECIPIENTS

• As of 9/9/21, the total number of students who have received these funds is 1,902
• As of 10/9/21, the total number of students who have received these funds is 2,000
• As of 11/9/21, the total number of students who have received these funds is 2,172
• As of 12/10/21, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 1/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 2/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 3/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 4/11/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 5/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 6/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 7/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 8/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 9/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 10/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 11/10/22, the total number of students who have received these funds remains unchanged
• As of 12/6/22, the total number of students who have received these funds is 2,736
• As of 12/21/22, the total number of students who have received these funds is 2,736