The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 included additional COVID-19 relief through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. This new COVID-19 stimulus bill was signed into law Dec. 27, 2020, and included funding for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding must be prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF II financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or childcare. The availability of this aid is not continuous.
In early June 2021, any HEERF II funding that had been declined by recipients was reallocated to students who accepted an initial HEERF II offer and maintained eligibility for Title IV federal student financial aid. Each recipient received additional aid.
The grants were offered based on the following criteria:
- USC received an official FAFSA as of April 12, 2021
- The student met the Title IV Federal eligibility requirements
- The student was a degree-seeking student enrolled for Spring 2021 term as of April 12, 2021
- The student met the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
This one-time offer of financial aid was placed on the student’s account for Spring 2021 and an aid notification email was sent to students to view their new aid offer on SSC. The student was required to accept the certification to receive the funds. However, if the student did not incur any expenses, they were asked to decline the grant via SSC. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your campus Financial Aid Office.
HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FEDERAL GRANT (HEERF III) - American Rescue Plan (ARP)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. It provided support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continued during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding was prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF III financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or childcare. The availability of this aid is not continuous.
This one-time grant was placed on the student’s account for Fall 2021 and an aid notification email was sent to students to view their aid on SSC. Students were required to accept the certification to receive the funds. However, if the student did not incur any expenses, they were requested to decline the grant via SSC. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your campus Financial Aid Office.
USC Palmetto College HEERF II/III Grant FAQs
HEERF II/III financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or childcare.
For HEERF II, eligible students are selected automatically based on their enrollment during the Spring 2021 semester. Students must meet the additional criteria as stated above.
For HEERF III, eligible students are selected automatically based on their enrollment
during the Fall 2021 semester. Students must meet the additional criteria as stated
above.
Eligible students will have the grant posted to Self Service Carolina. After the acceptance of the grant, the HEERF II/III Grant will be direct deposited into your bank accounts or a refund check in the mail.
The HEERF II/III Grant will be refunded regardless of any outstanding balance on your account. If you owe a balance on your student account, you can use HEERF III funds to reduce or possibly pay in full your account balance by completing the HEERF II/III Consent form. Students whose grant amount is more than their student account charges will receive a refund for the difference. If you wish to have the credit applied, please complete the HEERF II/III Consent form located at HEERF II/III Consent to Apply to Student Account Balance.
Return the form to the Bursar’s Office via the email address or fax number listed at the top of the form.
No, the HEERF II/III Grant does not have to be repaid.