HEERF III
ARP (American Rescue Plan)The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
HEERF III provides financial support to higher education institutions. A portion of each institution’s allocation must be awarded to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Information pertaining to the Student Emergency Grants can be located below.
Student Emergency Grant
Valencia College has received authorization from the US Dept of Education to receive the $102.4 million from the Department, provided under Section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP Act. Of that amount, at least $40 million will be used for emergency student aid.
In distributing these funds, Valencia has followed, and will follow, the instructions and guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid, and the Certification and Agreement completed by the College. That guidance provides institutions with discretion to develop their own systems and processes for determining how to allocate these funds, subject to certain limitations on student eligibility and expense eligibility.
For more information, view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
HEERF III Disbursement
Distribution
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) was established and funded by the Federal government to provide emergency financial aid grants to students 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. Valencia College plans to distribute the HEERF III emergency grants in multiple rounds — including round one (November 5 - November 16) and round two (April 6 - April 19).
Eligibility: Round One CLOSED
Applications open November 5 to November 16 2021
In this round of HEERF funding, there will be three groups of students who are eligible for a grant. Each group will have unique eligibility criteria and will be eligible to apply for specified grant award amounts. Students who are eligible to apply for a HEERF III grant will be contacted through email. Students may only apply for one grant during this period even if they meet multiple eligible criteria.
Eligibility: Round Two CLOSED
Applications open April 6 to April 19, 2022
In this round of HEERF funding, there will be three groups of students who are eligible for a grant. Each group will have unique eligibility criteria and will be eligible to apply for specified grant award amounts. Students who are eligible to apply for a HEERF III grant will be contacted through Atlas email. Students may only apply for one grant during this round even if they meet multiple eligible criteria. (Students may, however, apply for a grant during both round one and round two of the HEERF III grant period.)
Degree- and Certificate-seeking Students
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive emergency aid as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you must meet all of the qualifications below:
- Be enrolled at Valencia College in at least one course in a degree or certificate program in Spring 2022.
- Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or have completed homeschooling.
Grant Award Amounts
Eligible students who apply for a HEERF III Round Two grant and have an expected family contribution (EFC) of zero through their 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will receive at least $2,000. (Students must have a 2021-2022 FAFSA on file to be potentially eligible to receive this amount.)
Eligible students who apply for a HEERF III Round Two grant and do not have an expected family contribution (EFC) of zero or students who have not completed their 2021-2022 FAFSA will receive a grant of at least $1,250.
Accelerated Skills Training (AST) Students
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive emergency aid as a student enrolled in an Accelerated Skills Training (AST) program, you must meet all of the qualifications below:
- Be enrolled in a Valencia College Accelerated Skills Training program that meets anytime between Monday, January 10 and Friday, April 1, 2022.
Grant Award Amounts
Eligible AST students who apply for a HEERF III Round Two grant will receive a grant of at least $750.
Intensive English Program (IEP) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Students
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible to receive emergency aid as a student enrolled in an IEP or ESOL program, you must meet all of the qualifications below:
- Be enrolled in a Valencia College IEP or ESOL program that meets anytime between Monday, January 10 and Friday, April 1, 2022.
Grant Award Amounts
Eligible language students who apply for a HEERF III grant will receive a grant of at least $500.