HEERF III (ARP)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was authorized under the American Rescue Plan and was signed into law on March 11, 2021.
Fall 2021
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education funding to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF III.
Keene State College has received $3,880,304 for student grants under the HEERF III allocation.
Grant Requirements
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 childcare. The HEERF III (ARP) grant requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell grant recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants. Additionally, students do not need to file a FAFSA or be eligible for Title IV funds to be eligible for the ARP grant.
Keene State College intends to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
Keene State College will receive up to $3,880,304 in supplemental funds awarded under ARP from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement (for) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
As required, Keene State College conducted direct outreach by providing a postcard via the US postal service to financial aid recipients that they may be able to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or due to other special circumstances. Students were directed to contact the Financial Aid Office to complete a Special Circumstances form for consideration.
The ARP emergency financial aid grants may be used by students for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. Students determine how they may use their emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses. Keene State College also informed students, with an affirmative written consent from them, emergency financial aid grants could be used to satisfy a student’s outstanding account balance.
Distribution of Funds
Keene State College has received and will distribute $3,880,304 in emergency grants for eligible students experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are one-time grants from the federal government and do not require any repayment. The HEERF III (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.
Block Grant: Keene State College begin distributing ARP grants to eligible students in early November 2021. Primary distribution of ARP funds will be through a block grant. All currently enrolled and matriculated students for the spring 2022 semester were eligible to receive a grant for an amount of $750.00. Block grants were distributed to eligible students the end of March 2022.
As of 3/21/2022, a total of 2,848 students were eligible for a KSC Block grant. As of 3/30/2022 a total amount of $2,136,000 has been distributed in a Block grant.
Keene State College recognizes that additional students may have cost of attendance or coronavirus related expenses that may be in addition to the block grant amount. Students may contact the Financial Aid Office for consideration of a HEERF III ARP grant. HEERF III ARP grants will continue to be distributed until the funds have been exhausted.
Disbursement Updates
As of December 30, 2021, Keene State College has Disbursed $966,950 in emergency financial aid grants to 1,940 students.
As of March 30, 2022, Keene State College has Disbursed $3,525,038 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,006 students.
As of June 30, 2022, Keene State College has Disbursed $3,562,116 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,007 students.
As of September 30, 2022, Keene State College has Disbursed $3,642,254 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,007 students.
As of December 31, 2022, Keene State College has Disbursed $3,708,658 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,055 students.
As of March 31, 2023, Keene State College has Disbursed $3,880,304 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,173 students.
HEERF III (ARP) grant funds will not be applied to a student’s KSC billing account even if there is an outstanding balance unless the student specifically directs the College to apply the funds directly to their bill. If not directed to be applied to the current bill, the ARP funds will be refunded via the refund preference that the student has chosen.
