UT Dallas > Office of Financial Aid > ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF, which was initially established by the CARES Act, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

Priority consideration for ARP Emergency Aid will be given to undergraduate applicants with exceptional need as determined by the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA).

Eligibility Criteria

Students must:

  • Be enrolled at least half-time in Spring 2022 at UT Dallas.
  • Have one of the following complete and valid forms on file in the Office of Financial Aid:
    • 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or;
    • 2021-2022 Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA), or;
    • institutional financial statement.
      • Your submitted FAFSA or TASFA must be complete with a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
      • The institutional financial statement will be available for completion within the ARP application if there is no FAFSA or TASFA on file and will be reviewed for eligibility.
      • Any 2021-2022 documentation requested by the Office of Financial Aid must be submitted.
        • You may view outstanding financial aid documents via your Orion To Do List.
        • Email notices regarding your financial aid application status are sent to your UTD email from financial-aid@utdallas.edu.
  • Have experienced a financial hardship or cost due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Have an approved ARP Emergency Aid Application.

Funding is extremely limited. The deadline to apply was Wednesday, February 23, 2022.

Eligible Costs

ARP Emergency Aid may apply toward the following educational or emergency costs:

  • Tuition
  • Course Supplies
  • Rent
  • Food
  • Healthcare
  • Computer/Laptop
  • Internet
  • Utilities
  • Childcare
  • Transportation

Timing

Students will receive an email from financial-aid@utdallas.edu to their UT Dallas email address which will direct them to the ARP Emergency Aid application. These emails will be sent in phases and prioritized as recommended by the U.S. Department of Education.

Students should anticipate a response to submitted Spring 2022 ARP Emergency Aid applications within two weeks. Responses and notices will be sent via email to your UT Dallas email address.

Amounts

The maximum amount awarded will depend on your 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or institutional financial statement results as well as the number of eligible applications received. Spring 2022 ARP Emergency Aid is a one-time, non-renewable award.

Payment of Funds

Students have the following options for payment of funds awarded via the ARP Emergency Aid application process:

  1. Request awarded funds to be applied to your student account to help cover outstanding Spring 2022 educational costs (e.g. tuition and fees, housing, or meal plan); or
  2. Request awarded funds to be refunded to you via the method you have on file with the Bursar Office*.

You will select your payment method within your ARP Emergency Aid application. If you opt to have funds applied to your outstanding educational costs and this results in a credit balance (i.e. your award is more than your outstanding charges), the credit balance will be refunded to you via the method you have on file with the Bursar Office.

*The Bursar Office issues refunds via direct deposit or paper check, depending on the method you have on file. We recommend setting up direct deposit if you have not done so and anticipate receiving a refund. Please see the FAQ below for instructions regarding how to set up direct deposit with the Bursar Office.

ARP Act Emergency Aid FAQ

Who is eligible for ARP Emergency Aid?

Any student enrolled at least half-time at UT Dallas in Spring 2022 may receive ARP Emergency Aid. Priority consideration will be given to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants or other federal or state need-based aid.

How Do I Apply for ARP Emergency Aid?

Students will receive an email from financial-aid@utdallas.edu to their UT Dallas email address which will direct them to the ARP Emergency Aid application. These emails will be sent in phases and prioritized as recommended by the U.S. Department of Education.

What do “priority consideration” and “exceptional need” mean?

The U.S. Department of Education encourages institutions to prioritize domestic students, especially undergraduates, in allocating ARP Emergency Aid. Domestic students include citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.

Institutions receiving ARP Emergency Aid are also required to prioritize students with exceptional need, as relates to components of the student’s cost of attendance.  While students are not required to have a FAFSA or TASFA on file, the information provided via the FAFSA or TASFA will be the primary way to qualify those with exceptional need.

Am I eligible to complete a FAFSA or a TASFA?

To determine if you meet the qualifications to complete a FAFSA or a TASFA, please see the financial aid eligibility website.  If you are eligible to complete a FAFSA or a TASFA and have not yet done so, you may submit your 2021-2022 FAFSA at the Federal Student Aid website or your 2021-2022 TASFA at the UTD Applying for Financial Aid website.

Please note the following regarding FAFSA applications:

  1. Make sure you included UT Dallas (FAFSA School Code: 009741) on your FAFSA when designating schools to receive your data.
  2. Make sure the FAFSA data submitted is complete, including required signatures.
  3. Allow one week after submitting your FAFSA for the data to be received by UT Dallas.
  4. Once UT Dallas receives your FAFSA, you will receive an automated email acknowledgement from financial-aid@utdallas.edu.
    • If you subsequently receive an email request from the Office of Financial Aid for additional 2021-2022 FAFSA related information/documentation, respond as soon as possible.

Please note the following regarding TASFA applications:

  1. Make sure the TASFA data submitted is complete, including required signatures.
  2. Submit the TASFA and related documents via email to financial-aid@utdallas.edu.
  3. Allow 10 days after submitting your TASFA for the data to be recorded by UT Dallas.
  4. Once UT Dallas receives your TASFA, you will receive an automated email acknowledgement from financial-aid@utdallas.edu.
    • If you subsequently receive an email request from the Office of Financial Aid for additional 2021-2022 TASFA related information/documentation, respond as soon as possible.
I have not completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA or TASFA.  Can I receive ARP Emergency Aid?

Yes. If you have not filed a FAFSA or TASFA and meet the listed eligibility criteria for this emergency aid, you will be provided an institutional financial statement to complete with your ARP Emergency Aid application.

How will I know if I’m approved for ARP Emergency Aid?

You will receive an email response to your application within two weeks of your submission. Requests for additional information, status updates, and award notices will be sent from the Office of Financial Aid to your UT Dallas email address.

How many times may I apply for Spring 2022 ARP Emergency Aid?

Students who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above may apply once for Spring 2022 ARP Emergency Aid.

How much funding will I get from ARP Emergency Aid?

The maximum amount awarded will depend on your 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or institutional financial statement results as well as the number of eligible applications received. Spring 2022 ARP Emergency Aid is a one-time, non-renewable award. Final awards will depend on funding and applications received.

What if my emergency aid funding is not enough?  Can I appeal or request additional funding?

We are not able to accept appeals or requests for additional funding.  However, if your 2021-2022 FAFSA or TASFA do not accurately reflect your or your family’s current economic situation, you may submit a Special Circumstance Appeal. The following cover sheet includes additional details and instructions for submitting an appeal: Special Circumstance Request.

If your Special Circumstance Appeal is approved, you may request a reconsideration of your ARP Emergency Aid application based on your updated FAFSA or TASFA by emailing financial-aid@utdallas.edu.

How do I set up direct deposit with the UT Dallas Bursar Office for refunds?
  1. Log in to EZPay with your Net ID and password. See EZPay Instructions.
  2. At the top of the page, select the eRefunds tab and click “Set up Account”.
  3. Enter your bank routing number (RTN) and account number. They can be found on your checks or by calling your financial institution. Your account number is not the 16-digit number on your debit card.
  4. Click Continue.
  5. Check the “I Agree” box and click “Continue” to save.
Will ARP Emergency Aid affect my other financial aid?

ARP Emergency Aid will not affect other financial aid awarded to you.

Do I need to report ARP Emergency Aid on my federal tax return?

ARP Act Emergency Aid is considered a qualified disaster relief payment under section 139 of the Internal Revenue code and thus is excluded from income. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions section of the IRS Coronavirus and Economic impact Payments: Resources and Guidance webpage.