March 29, 2021

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

Through three separate actions to date, the federal government made emergency funds available to institutions of higher education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Allocated by the Department of Education, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) were intended to provide pandemic relief to both enrolled students and institutions related to the pandemic’s disruption of campuses. These three laws are known as the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or HEERF I), the CRRSAA (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act or HEERF II), and the ARP (American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or HEERF III).

Financial aid applicants had the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment due to the recent unemployment of a family member or independent student, or other circumstances, described in section 479A of the HEA (20 USC § 1087tt). More information about this process can be found via the following links: Undergraduate students, Graduate Students, and Law Students.
[Page updated 7/5/22]