UT Dallas > Office of Financial Aid > CRRSA Act

CRRSA Act

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act was enacted December 27, 2020, and includes funding for emergency grants for students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who have experienced financial costs or hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for funding for educational or emergency costs.   

The last day to submit a Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid application was May 23, 2021.

Priority consideration for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid was be given to applicants with exceptional need as determined by the 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who met the following eligibility criteria were eligible to apply for Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid:

Eligibility Criteria

  • Enrolled Spring 2021 at UT Dallas in a degree seeking program
  • Have a complete and valid 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with UT Dallas
    • 2020/2021 FAFSA submitted must be complete with a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
    • 2020/2021 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”
  • Experienced a financial hardship or cost due to the COVID-19 pandemic 
  • Approved CRRSA Act Emergency Aid Application

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 should anticipate a response to submitted Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid applications within one week.  Responses and notices will be sent via email to your UT Dallas email address. 

Amounts

The maximum amount awarded will depend on your 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results as well as the number of eligible applications received. Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid awarded is a one-time, non-renewable award. 

Payment of Funds

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

  1. Request funds awarded to be applied toward your outstanding Spring 2021 educational costs (i.e. tuition and fees, housing, or meal plan); or
  2. Request funds awarded to be refunded to you via the method you have on file with the Bursar Office*. 

The payment method selection is made on question 3 of the emergency aid application process. Please note — 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 already if you anticipate receiving a refund. Please see FAQ below for instructions regarding how to set up direct deposit with the Bursar Office. 

CRRSA Act Emergency Aid FAQ

What information do I need to apply for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?  How long does the application process take?

If you have a complete and valid 2020/2021 FAFSA on file with UT Dallas, the CRRSA Act emergency aid application process should take under 5 minutes. To apply you will need to log in through the application portal using your UT Dallas NET ID and password. The application includes 3 required questions and an affirmation of your responses.  You will not need additional documentation (e.g. taxes or receipts) to answer the questions. Once complete, you will need to hit the “SUBMIT” button located at the bottom of the form. 

Who is not eligible for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

CRRSA Act emergency aid cannot be awarded to international students, TASFA applicants, or DACA students. Students enrolled Spring 2021 in a degree seeking program at UT Dallas who are not eligible for CRRSA Act emergency aid may submit an application for institutional emergency aid via the Dean of Student’s Emergency Aid Application. 

I have not completed a 2020/2021 FAFSA.  Can I receive CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

In order to apply for CRRSA Act emergency aid, you must have a complete and valid 2020/2021 FAFSA on file with UT Dallas. To determine if you meet the qualifications to submit and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), please see the financial aid eligibility website.  If you are eligible to complete a FAFSA and have not yet done so, you may submit your 2020/2021 FAFSA via the following website: Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Please note the following:

  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 2020/2021 FAFSA related information/documentation, respond as soon as possible.
  5. After receiving an acknowledgement email from “financial-aid@utdallas.edu”, you may submit a CRRSA Act emergency aid application if your FAFSA submission was complete and funding remains.  

I completed a prior (or next) year FAFSA. Do I still need to submit a 2020/2021 FAFSA before I can receive CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

Yes. You must complete the 2020/2021 FAFSA process in order to be eligible for Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid. Unlike CARES Act Emergency Aid, CRRSA Act Emergency Aid is dependent on a current year FAFSA’s need-analysis to determine eligibility and level of funding. 

I submitted a 2020/2021 FAFSA but I have been told it is in a “rejected” status. What does this mean and can I receive CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

You cannot apply for or receive CRRSA Act Emergency Aid while your 2020/2021 FAFSA is in a “rejected” status.  A “rejected” status means the U.S. Department of Education requires additional input from you in order to complete their review of your 2020/2021 FAFSA. Additional details regarding steps needed to complete your 2020/2021 FAFSA will have been sent to your UT Dallas email from “financial-aid@utdallas.edu”, and will include contact information for questions.

I completed my FAFSA but was asked to provide additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid. Do I need to submit the documents before I can receive CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

Yes. You will need to submit all documentation requested in relation to your 2020/2021 FAFSA in order to be eligible for Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid.  Information regarding documentation and/or action items required to complete your 2020/2021 financial application are sent to your UT Dallas email from “financial-aid@utdallas.edu”.  Outstanding financial aid documents are also listed in your “To Do” list in Orion. 

Although you will be able to apply for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid while your 2020/2021 FAFSA is in this status, requested documentation must be submitted in order to be considered for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid.

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

You will receive an email response to your application within 5 business days of 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 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

Students who meet the eligibility criteria as outlined above may apply once for Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid.

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 2020/2021 FAFSA does not accurately reflect your or your family’s current economic situation, you may submit a Special Circumstance Appeal for your 2020/2021 FAFSA. This coversheet includes additional details and instructions for submitting an appeal (pdf).

If your Special Circumstance Appeal is approved, you may request a reconsideration of your CRRSA Act emergency aid application based on your updated 2020/2021 FAFSA via email to financial-aid@utdallas.edu.

How do I set-up direct deposit with the UT Dallas Bursar Office for refunds?

Please see the following instructions for Direct Deposit Enrollment:

  1. Log in to EZPay with your Net ID and password. EZPay Instructions (pdf)
  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.

How much funding will I get from CRSSA Act Emergency Aid?

The maximum amount awarded will depend on your 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) results well as the number of eligible applications received.  Spring 2021 CRRSA Act Emergency Aid is a one-time, non-renewable award.  Final awards will depend on funding and applications received. 

Are undergraduate and graduate students eligible for CRRSA Act Emergency Aid?

Degree seeking undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at UT Dallas in the spring 2021 semester are eligible as long as they meet the criteria outlined above.  Students must be enrolled at both time of application and award in order to receive funds.

Will CRRSA Act Emergency Aid affect my other financial aid?

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

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

CRRSA 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.