Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) III Fund Information 2022–2023
As required in the U.S. Department of Education May 6, 2020 Electronic Announcement, August 31, 2020 Federal Register notice, and May 13, 2021 Federal Register notice, the University of Georgia is providing the following information:
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) authorized the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) to allocate formula grant funds to postsecondary education institutions for the purpose of addressing needs related to coronavirus. The University of Georgia submitted to ED the Certification and Agreement (CFDA 84.425E) for the Student Aid Portion pursuant to Section 2003(a)(1) of the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
Section 2003(7) of the ARP requires higher education institutions to provide at least the same amount of funding in financial aid grants to students as was required to be provided under sections 18004(a)(1) and (c) of division B of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136). Under section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP, Recipient must make financial aid grants to students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education), which may 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 child care.
According to the allocation formula, the University of Georgia will receive $63,500,537 (PDF). As required, the University of Georgia will provide at least the same amount of funding in financial aid grants to students as was required to be provided under sections 18004(a)(1) and (c) of division B of the CARES Act (Pub. L. 116–136) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants (called “HEER III Fund Grants” at UGA) to students. On May 21, 2021, the University received $31,775,893 of its allocation to administer HEER III Fund Grants under Section 2003 of the ARP.
The total amount of funds the University of Georgia will receive and use for paying such HEER III Fund Grants is $31,775,893.
The total amount of HEER III Fund Grants distributed to students under Section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP as of December 31, 2022 is $31,775,893.
The estimated number of students at the institution enrolled for at least one credit in degree programs who meet eligibility criteria and are thus eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 2003 of the ARP is 24,997.
The total unduplicated number of students who received a HEER III Fund Grant Fall 2022 is 8,041.
- On September 19, 2022, 8,040 students received $6,930,399.60.
- On November 17, 2022, 1 student received $58.40.
To determine which students received HEER III Fund Grants and the amount they would receive under Section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP, the University of Georgia applied the following guidance and policies:
The American Rescue Plan established the HEER III Fund and authorized monies which may 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 child care. Priority must be given to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. If a student had a valid and complete 2022–23 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Financial Aid by September 16, 2022, the student was considered for a HEER III Grant. Undergraduate (full‑ and part‑time), graduate, and professional students who are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are eligible for the HEER III Fund including those in online‑only programs, except dual enrolled (DE), Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), and international students.
The HEER III Fund Grants were awarded to students enrolled in the Fall 2022 semester who met the above described eligibility criteria; the HEER III Fund Grant amount is $861.99 and was disbursed beginning September 19, 2022. There is no appeal process for Fall 2022.
In recognition of the U.S. Department of Education guidance (PDF) to prioritize HEER III Funds to students with exceptional financial need, UGA awarded funds to students who had EFCs in Federal Pell Grant range.
If you have questions, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at [email protected].
Direct communications via email were sent to each student regarding eligibility for HEER III Fund Grants. The Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable for the period ending 9/30/2021 can be found in the following reports:
- Quarterly Report – period ending 9/30/2021 (PDF)
- Quarterly Report – period ending 12/30/2021 (PDF)
- Quarterly Report – period ending 3/31/2022 (PDF)
- Quarterly Report – period ending 6/30/2022 (PDF)
- Quarterly Report – period ending 9/30/2022 (PDF)
- Quarterly Report – period ending 12/31/2022 (final HEER III report) (PDF)