American Rescue Plan (ARP) – Emergency Aid to Students Reporting
The U.S. Department of Education requires the following information related to “ARP Emergency Aid to Students” to be posted on our university website. This report will be updated quarterly.
HEERF-III ARP Quarterly Report: Quarter Ending December 31, 2021
- An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students:
- The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), signed into law on March 11, 2021, to provide funding to institutions for emergency grants to students.
- The University of Massachusetts Lowell received $14,082,876 in HEERF-III ARP funding by the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed and returned to the Department on April 16, 2020. The university’s funding became available on May 24, 2021.
- The university assures that the institution has used, or intends to use, the $14,082,876 of funds distributed to students through ARP to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
- General information about the ARP funding for higher education is available on the Office of Postsecondary Education website.
- $14,082,876: The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP program.
- $7,367,500: The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the ARP program as of the date of the submission.
- 13,254: The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP program.
- 6,925: The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the ARP program.
- The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the ARP program:
In accordance with federal guidelines and recommendations, the university will prioritize undergraduate students with exceptional need. HEERF emergency funds may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, books and supplies, health care, and child care), or for emergency costs due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare, mental healthcare, and child care.
The university will award ARP funds plus any remaining HEERF-I & HEERF-II student portion funds as described below.
HEERF Student Emergency Grant Formula Distribution ($12.5M)
Eligible students include:
- Have a valid 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university.
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen as determined by FAFSA.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program during Fall 2021.
- Be registered for at least 6 credits of coursework during Fall 2021.
Awards and Distribution:
The university will prioritize students with exceptional need using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by FAFSA to determine award amount as follows:
| Estimated Family Contribution | Award Value |
|---|---|
| $0 - $5,846 | $1,250 |
| $5,847 - $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $10,001 - $15,000 | $750 |
| $15,001 - $20,000 | $500 |
| $20,001+ | - |
HEERF Student Emergency Grant Application Distribution ($1.5M)
Approximately $1.5M of the HEERF funds will be set aside for graduate and international students.
Eligible students include:
- Graduate students who are US Citizens and legal permanent residents, or undergraduate and graduate students in any of the following categories: international students, refugees and asylum seekers, DACA recipients and DREAMers.
- Be matriculated in a degree granting program at UMass Lowell.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of six credits of coursework during Fall 2021.
- Reside in the United States.
- Completed HEERF-III grant application.
Awards and Distribution:
Eligible students with a completed application awarded $1,000.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants:
- The university created an Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for HEERF Student Emergency Grant.
- This and other information is posted on the university's HEERF-III American Rescue Plan, 2021 (ARP) Student Emergency Grant webpage, and provided to HEERF recipients via email.
- In addition, Graduate and international students were notified about the HEERF Emergency Grant application process via email notification.