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:
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 [email protected] 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:
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.
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.
Students will receive an email from [email protected] 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.
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.
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:
Please note the following regarding TASFA applications:
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.
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.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above may apply once for Spring 2022 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.
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: 2022-special-circumstance (utdallas.edu)
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 [email protected]
ARP Emergency Aid will not affect other financial aid awarded to you.
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.