Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III)

American Rescue Plan Funding Report and Disclosure

Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2022

Funding has been allocated under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act that was signed into law March 31, 2021. These funds have been provided by the federal government to directly support students facing urgent needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Montana State University (MSU) Bozeman has been allocated $14,567,454 in student level support.

MSU Bozeman has, as of March 31, 2022, disbursed over 14 million in the form of block grants and emergency fund applications from the student share of the funds.

For the quarter ending March 31, 2022, MSU distributed block grants to over 16,000 students at approximately $13,762,850.  Additionally, continued support has been extended via the Student Emergency Fund and has issued an estimated $69,900 to approximately 133 students. Students may have been duplicated in both block and emergency fund support.

The methods used to determine which and how much students receive in block grants follow these general principles:

  • Undergraduate or graduate degree seeking students who were enrolled as of late October 2021.
  • Preference to students who had completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2021/2022 year.
  • Consideration for state residency was evaluated.
  • Non-Degree and Dual Enrolled were excluded.

This is the third and expected final round of Department of Education support under HEERF. The original agreement was signed in April 2020 and MSU Bozeman issues funds within the guidance provided by the Federal Department of Education. Amounts will be updated every fiscal quarter as prescribed by the Federal Department of Education.

Funds were disbursed through individual student accounts. Students with an ACH set up received funds directly into bank accounts. Students without an ACH were mailed paper check. Remaining Funds are being evaluated for future use in Spring 2022 while also supporting the Student Emergency Fund as mentioned earlier.

Tiers of awarding were based on need and residency. The FAFSA is a common measurement of need and the resulting Expected Family Contribution was used in ranking need. The FAFSA needed to contain a valid EFC as of late October 2021. Both undergraduate and graduate students were reviewed. The next reporting timeframe will be end of April 2022 for the period ending March 2022.

 

Additional MSU Bozeman support related to COVID-19

Last Updated: 4/8/2022