Introduction
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.
Note: This page is dedicated to the new funding (HEERF III) established by the ARP. Information about the HEERF II established by the CRRSAA can be found at this link. HEERF I established by the CARES Act can be found at this link.
Latest News
May 2023: Click here to access the No Cost Extension (NCE) request form for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant(s) awarded to your institution of higher education. Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.308(e)(2) and 34 C.F.R. § 75.261(a), and as stated in the Department’s HEERF ARP FAQs, grantees have the option to receive a No-Cost Extension (NCE) as applicable HEERF grant recipients can request an additional twelve months to finalize plans for the remaining HEERF institutional awards through June 30, 2024, and an additional six months for the HEERF student awards through December 31, 2023. The Department may consider additional extensions as necessary. The authorized institutional representative identified on the most recent Grant Award Notification (GAN) must complete the NCE request form and email it to the assigned program specialist identified in Box 3 of the HEERF GAN on or before June 20, 2023. Please contact your assigned program specialist if you have questions.
March 2023: The 2023 HEERF Updates PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
February 01, 2022: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 2021 Annual Performance Reports can be found here.
October 13, 2022: Higher Education Emergency Response Unit 2-year Anniversary | Highlights of HEERF
April 04, 2022: Notice of Automatic Extension of Performance Period for All Open Grants Issued Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
February 15, 2022: The U.S. Treasury issued new FAQs clarifying that unpaid debts discharged using HEERF funds are nontaxable. The News Release can be found here.
February 03, 2022: Reopening; Notices Inviting Applications Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP)--Public and Private Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF); Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) That Meet the Criteria as a Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP); Institutions of Higher Education That Meet the Criteria for the Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Program; Proprietary Institution Grant Funds for Students Program.
February 03, 2022: On January 31, 2022, the Department announced $198 million in new awards under the Supplemental Support under the American Rescue Plan. Guidance can be found here. The SSARP Program assists public and private nonprofit institutions that have the greatest unmet need related to the coronavirus, as determined by the secretary after allocating available funds under HEERF III, including institutions with large populations of graduate students who otherwise did not receive a HEERF allocation under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021. The Department urges institutions applying for the SSARP program to continue to use the funds to support campuses and students as they deal with the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic.
January 20, 2022: The Department released new guidance on how colleges can use existing HEERF funds to support students’ basic needs, such as childcare, housing, and food insecurity.
August 17, 2021: Reopening; Notice Inviting Applications for the Proprietary Institution Grant Funds for Students Program Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
July 29, 2021: All successful applicants awarded the IREPO Grant: Allocation Table Here
May 14, 2021: Eligibility to Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Program
May 11, 2021: Today the Department is making available $36 billion in emergency aid to public and private non-profit institutions and $396 million to proprietary colleges to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full press release is available here.
Specific Program Information
Congress created several programs within HEERF III. Please click on the links below to be taken to information and resources for the specific program or distribution.
Institutional Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions (a)(1)
Student Aid Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions (a)(1)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (a)(2)
Minority Serving Institutions (a)(2)
Strengthening Institutions Program (a)(2)
Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (a)(2)
Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan (a)(3)
Proprietary Institutions Grant Funds for Students (a)(4)
| Program (with link to website) | ALN | ARP Section | Eligibility (with link to allocation table) | Certification & Agreement | Deadline | Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number |
| Student Aid Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions | 84.425E | Section 2003(a)(1) | Public and Nonprofit Title IV participating institutions Note: Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education but should contact their institutions for further information and guidance. Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-001 |
| Institutional Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions | 84.425F | Section 2003(a)(1) | Public and Nonprofit Title IV participating institutions Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-002 |
| Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) | 84.425J | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that qualify for funding under the following programs: Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Part B institutions as described in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)), Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (institutions named in section 326(e)(1) of the HEA), and Master’s Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (institutions named in section 723(b)(1) of the HEA) Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement
| Note: Institutions do not need to apply. | ED-GRANTS-xxxxxx-xxx |
| Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) | 84.425K | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that qualify for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 or the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978; are cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994; or are designated as eligible for funding by the Bureau of Indian Education Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | Note: Institutions do not need to apply. | ED-GRANTS-xxxxxx-xxx |
| Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) | 84.425L | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that would be eligible to participate in the following programs: Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI), Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI), and Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) programs Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreements: | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-080221-001 |
| Strengthening Institutions Program (SIPs) | 84.425M | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions designated as eligible in FY 2020 for grant programs in Titles III and V of the HEA that did not receive 18004(a)(2) grant awards as a result of not meeting the requirements for the Strengthening HBCUs, HBGIs, HBCU Master’s, TCCUs, PBIs, ANNH, AANAPISI, NASNTI, DHSI, and/or PPOHA programs Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreements:
| March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-080221-002 |
| Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan | 84.425T | Section 2003(a)(3) | Public and Private Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education, see Federal Register Notice for specific Absolute Priority Eligibility. No Allocaton Table. | Certification and Agreement | April 08, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-020322-002 |
| Proprietary Institutions Grant Funds for Students | 84.425Q | Section 2003(a)(4) | Title IV participating proprietary institutions Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement Required Proprietary Institution Certification Note: To receive funding under the ARP (a)(4) program, all proprietary institutions must complete and submit this form to assist with management and oversight. | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-003 |
Reporting and Data Collection
HEERF Grant Program FAQs and Documents:
- ARP HEERF III FAQS (Updated October 25, 2022)
- HEERF Mental Health FAQs (May 19, 2022)
- New ARP HEERF Voluntary Decline Form (April 19, 2022)
- Second Year HEERF Grant Program Auditing Requirements (March 23, 2022)
- IRS Fact Sheet and FAQs for HEERF (February 15, 2022)
- ARP HEERF III Proprietary Institution Certifications form (May 11, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive FAQs (July 2021)
- State and Congressional District Allocation Totals for ARP (October 13, 2021)
- HEERF Notice of Interpretation for Period of Allowable HEERF Expenses (March 22, 2021)
- HEERF Lost Revenue FAQs (March 19, 2021)
- HEERF Period of Allowable Expenses Grant Records Notice (March 19, 2021)
- HEERF Grant Program Auditing Requirements (March 8, 2021)
Briefings
Briefings on HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan in May and June of 2021. Please find the following materials from those briefings:
- Overview of HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan for Public and Private Institutions (PDF, 356KB)
- Overview of HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan for Proprietary Institutions (PDF, 344KB)
Contact Information
Have questions about HEERF grants? Email HEERF@ed.gov
Think an institution is misusing or abusing ED funds? Do not let ARP funding for schools and students end up in the wrong hands. File a complaint online with our Inspector General (OIG) or call their Hotline.
Introduction
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.
Note: This page is dedicated to the new funding (HEERF III) established by the ARP. Information about the HEERF II established by the CRRSAA can be found at this link. HEERF I established by the CARES Act can be found at this link.
Latest News
May 2023: Click here to access the No Cost Extension (NCE) request form for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant(s) awarded to your institution of higher education. Pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.308(e)(2) and 34 C.F.R. § 75.261(a), and as stated in the Department’s HEERF ARP FAQs, grantees have the option to receive a No-Cost Extension (NCE) as applicable HEERF grant recipients can request an additional twelve months to finalize plans for the remaining HEERF institutional awards through June 30, 2024, and an additional six months for the HEERF student awards through December 31, 2023. The Department may consider additional extensions as necessary. The authorized institutional representative identified on the most recent Grant Award Notification (GAN) must complete the NCE request form and email it to the assigned program specialist identified in Box 3 of the HEERF GAN on or before June 20, 2023. Please contact your assigned program specialist if you have questions.
March 2023: The 2023 HEERF Updates PowerPoint presentation can be found here.
February 01, 2022: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 2021 Annual Performance Reports can be found here.
October 13, 2022: Higher Education Emergency Response Unit 2-year Anniversary | Highlights of HEERF
April 04, 2022: Notice of Automatic Extension of Performance Period for All Open Grants Issued Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
February 15, 2022: The U.S. Treasury issued new FAQs clarifying that unpaid debts discharged using HEERF funds are nontaxable. The News Release can be found here.
February 03, 2022: Reopening; Notices Inviting Applications Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP)--Public and Private Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF); Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) That Meet the Criteria as a Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP); Institutions of Higher Education That Meet the Criteria for the Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) Program; Proprietary Institution Grant Funds for Students Program.
February 03, 2022: On January 31, 2022, the Department announced $198 million in new awards under the Supplemental Support under the American Rescue Plan. Guidance can be found here. The SSARP Program assists public and private nonprofit institutions that have the greatest unmet need related to the coronavirus, as determined by the secretary after allocating available funds under HEERF III, including institutions with large populations of graduate students who otherwise did not receive a HEERF allocation under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021. The Department urges institutions applying for the SSARP program to continue to use the funds to support campuses and students as they deal with the immediate challenges posed by the pandemic.
January 20, 2022: The Department released new guidance on how colleges can use existing HEERF funds to support students’ basic needs, such as childcare, housing, and food insecurity.
August 17, 2021: Reopening; Notice Inviting Applications for the Proprietary Institution Grant Funds for Students Program Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
July 29, 2021: All successful applicants awarded the IREPO Grant: Allocation Table Here
May 14, 2021: Eligibility to Receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Program
May 11, 2021: Today the Department is making available $36 billion in emergency aid to public and private non-profit institutions and $396 million to proprietary colleges to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full press release is available here.
Specific Program Information
Congress created several programs within HEERF III. Please click on the links below to be taken to information and resources for the specific program or distribution.
Institutional Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions (a)(1)
Student Aid Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions (a)(1)
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (a)(2)
Minority Serving Institutions (a)(2)
Strengthening Institutions Program (a)(2)
Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (a)(2)
Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan (a)(3)
Proprietary Institutions Grant Funds for Students (a)(4)
| Program (with link to website) | ALN | ARP Section | Eligibility (with link to allocation table) | Certification & Agreement | Deadline | Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Number |
| Student Aid Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions | 84.425E | Section 2003(a)(1) | Public and Nonprofit Title IV participating institutions Note: Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education but should contact their institutions for further information and guidance. Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-001 |
| Institutional Portion for Public and Nonprofit Institutions | 84.425F | Section 2003(a)(1) | Public and Nonprofit Title IV participating institutions Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-002 |
| Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) | 84.425J | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that qualify for funding under the following programs: Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Part B institutions as described in section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA)), Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (institutions named in section 326(e)(1) of the HEA), and Master’s Degree Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (institutions named in section 723(b)(1) of the HEA) Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement
| Note: Institutions do not need to apply. | ED-GRANTS-xxxxxx-xxx |
| Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) | 84.425K | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that qualify for funding under the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 or the Navajo Community College Assistance Act of 1978; are cited in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act of 1994; or are designated as eligible for funding by the Bureau of Indian Education Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement | Note: Institutions do not need to apply. | ED-GRANTS-xxxxxx-xxx |
| Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) | 84.425L | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions that would be eligible to participate in the following programs: Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI), Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (DHSI), and Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) programs Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreements: | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-080221-001 |
| Strengthening Institutions Program (SIPs) | 84.425M | Section 2003(a)(2) | Institutions designated as eligible in FY 2020 for grant programs in Titles III and V of the HEA that did not receive 18004(a)(2) grant awards as a result of not meeting the requirements for the Strengthening HBCUs, HBGIs, HBCU Master’s, TCCUs, PBIs, ANNH, AANAPISI, NASNTI, DHSI, and/or PPOHA programs Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreements:
| March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-080221-002 |
| Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan | 84.425T | Section 2003(a)(3) | Public and Private Nonprofit Institutions of Higher Education, see Federal Register Notice for specific Absolute Priority Eligibility. No Allocaton Table. | Certification and Agreement | April 08, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-020322-002 |
| Proprietary Institutions Grant Funds for Students | 84.425Q | Section 2003(a)(4) | Title IV participating proprietary institutions Allocation Table Here | Certification and Agreement Required Proprietary Institution Certification Note: To receive funding under the ARP (a)(4) program, all proprietary institutions must complete and submit this form to assist with management and oversight. | March 07, 2022 | ED-GRANTS-051321-003 |
Reporting and Data Collection
HEERF Grant Program FAQs and Documents:
- ARP HEERF III FAQS (Updated October 25, 2022)
- HEERF Mental Health FAQs (May 19, 2022)
- New ARP HEERF Voluntary Decline Form (April 19, 2022)
- Second Year HEERF Grant Program Auditing Requirements (March 23, 2022)
- IRS Fact Sheet and FAQs for HEERF (February 15, 2022)
- ARP HEERF III Proprietary Institution Certifications form (May 11, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Incentive FAQs (July 2021)
- State and Congressional District Allocation Totals for ARP (October 13, 2021)
- HEERF Notice of Interpretation for Period of Allowable HEERF Expenses (March 22, 2021)
- HEERF Lost Revenue FAQs (March 19, 2021)
- HEERF Period of Allowable Expenses Grant Records Notice (March 19, 2021)
- HEERF Grant Program Auditing Requirements (March 8, 2021)
Briefings
Briefings on HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan in May and June of 2021. Please find the following materials from those briefings:
- Overview of HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan for Public and Private Institutions (PDF, 356KB)
- Overview of HEERF funds in the American Rescue Plan for Proprietary Institutions (PDF, 344KB)
Contact Information
Have questions about HEERF grants? Email HEERF@ed.gov
Think an institution is misusing or abusing ED funds? Do not let ARP funding for schools and students end up in the wrong hands. File a complaint online with our Inspector General (OIG) or call their Hotline.