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Cares Act Student Funding

Cares Act Student Funding

The American Rescue Plan Act, passed March 11, 2021 provided funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) grant.  This is the third round of funding appropriated to institutions to provide emergency grants to students for prevention, preparation, and response to coronavirus.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must have been registered in at least one credit hour at FHSU on or after March 13, 2020;
  • Must have exceptional need.
    • Exceptional need is defined as being Pell eligible or students with extraordinary financial circumstances.
  • Must verify or update ACH data in myFHSU worklet in Workday. If check is selected, must have domestic mailing address (permanent address) in myFHSU worklet.

In accordance with Department of Education guidelines, FHSU will distribute HEERF III Grants in the following way:

  • Need eligible students will receive a direct grant. Need eligibility will be determined by the expected family contribution calculated on the FAFSA that Fort Hays State University has on file.  In 2020-2021 students with an EFC of 5,711 could have been considered need eligible.  EFC will be based on the year the student was or is registered.
  • All other eligible students are able to apply for the remaining HEERF III grant funds. Students in this group must meet the eligibility requirements outlined above.  Students in this group will be notified that they are eligible through their email that includes a link to the application.   Awarding to this group will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, and when funds are depleted awarding will cease.

 

FAQ

No, a FAFSA is not required to determine eligibility for this award.
All eligible students who did not receive a direct HEERF III grant due to need eligibility will be sent notification with a link to the application.
Yes, online students are eligible to receive these funds. Need eligibility will be determined if a FAFSA is on file, or you may apply for the funds.
Yes, DACA, undocumented, and international students are eligible if they were registered in at least one credit hour at FHSU on or after March 13, 2020. However, international students must not be registered as international partner students, and they must have a domestic mailing address and/or a domestic bank account to qualify for the HEERF III funds.
Need eligible students who were registered in at least one credit hour in spring 2021 will receive a one-time disbursement of $1,000. All other eligible students will be awarded based on identified need through the application process.
The funds will be applied directly to the student account in Student Fiscal Services. The balance will be sent via ACH to the student’s bank account on record, or a paper check will be mailed to the student’s permanent address.
No, you can wait for the funds to be deposited in your bank and use the money to pay for your educational expenses.
Yes, if you received an award from the Student Emergency Fund you are still eligible to receive the HEERF III Grant.
Applicants who indicate need will be awarded a HEERF III grant and notification will be sent to the student letting them know that the award has been applied to their student account. When all HEERF funds have been exhausted, the application will be removed from the website.
No, HEERF awards will not affect the aid that was previously awarded. Additionally, it will not affect any future financial aid eligibility.
No, you can wait for the funds to be deposited in your bank and use the money to pay for your educational expenses.
Please allow 1-2 business weeks for processing time.

How to Reach Us

Financial Assistance Office
Picken Hall 202
Fort Hays State University
600 Park Street
Hays, KS 67601


Online Inquiry Form
Phone: 785-628-4408

Additional Contact Information and Staff Listing


Division of Student Affairs

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