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Posted: October 6, 2021 Last updated: July 22, 2022
Worcester State University was allocated funding as part of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III). This funding was authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, and signed into law on March 11, 2021.
This act requires that $6,660,064 is disbursed to students to cover emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, or child care. Additionally, this act requires prioritization of students who demonstrate the greatest financial need. Worcester State University distributed approximately 50% of the student portion of the ARP HEERF III funds during the Fall 2021 semester and the remaining 50% of the student portion of the ARP HEERF III funds during the Spring 2022 semester.
Approximately 99% of Fall 2021 ARP HEERF III funds were automatically distributed as direct payments to eligible undergraduate, graduate and non-degree seeking students based on a combination of the number of credit hours a student is registered for in the Fall 2021 semester and a student’s latest Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as of 10/07/2021. The EFC is an index number that is calculated based on the information students provide on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.
Approximately 1% was reserved for supplemental emergency payments for students with additional critical financial needs as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Eligible students with additional financial need must apply for Supplemental Funds. Please refer to ARP HEERF III Supplemental Funds (below) for additional information.
Utilizing these criteria allowed Worcester State University to support its students with the highest financial need.
Approximately 99% of Spring 2022 ARP HEERF III funds were automatically distributed as direct payments to eligible undergraduate, graduate and non-degree seeking students based on a combination of the number of credit hours a student is registered for in the Spring 2022 semester and a student’s latest Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as of 3/14/2022. The EFC is an index number that is calculated based on the information students provide on their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov.
Additionally, approximately 1% was reserved for supplemental emergency payments for students with additional critical financial needs as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Eligible students with additional financial need must apply for Supplemental Funds. Please refer to ARP HEERF III Supplemental Funds (below) for additional information.
Utilizing these criteria allows Worcester State University to support its students with the highest financial need.
Distribution of student payments followed a tiered process, as shown on table below. Please note, for the Spring 2022 disbursement the University increased the Tier 1 amount to $650.00 for eligible students.
Awarded students received an increased ARP HEERF III direct payment (bonus), if the students have an EFC between $0.00 and $5,711.99, as shown on the table below. Please note, for the Spring, 2022 disbursement the University increased the Bonus 1 amount to $650.00 for eligible students.
Eligible students receive payments through direct deposit. Students not yet enrolled in direct deposit should log in to WebAdvisor and follow the direct deposit instructions under the Financial Information header. Students who are not able to enroll in direct deposit, received a paper check at the student’s last known address.
Undergraduate, graduate and non-degree seeking students are eligible to receive ARP HEERF III funds for the Fall, 2021 and Spring, 2022 semesters. As noted above, payments amounts are determined by combination of the students’ credit hours and their EFC. Dual enrollment students, and students with a vaccine documentation hold (as of 10/07/2021 for the Fall 2021 semester and as of 3/14/2022 for the Spring 2022 semester) are not eligible for ARP funds.
For the Fall, 2021 semester, approximately 1% of ARP HEERF III funds were reserved for supplemental emergency payments for students with additional critical financial needs as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Fall 2021 ARP HEERF III Supplemental Funds were exhausted in late October 2021.
In the Spring 2022 semester, eligible students with additional financial need may apply for Supplemental Funds. Any supplemental funding approved will be in addition to the direct payments noted above. Utilizing these criteria for supplemental payments allows Worcester State University additional flexibility to support its students with the highest need. The number of students who receive supplemental payments will be subject to the availability of funds. The maximum ARP HEERF III Supplemental Fund award is $500.00 and students may receive no more than one ARP HEERF III Supplemental Fund award per semester.
To be considered for these funds, students must apply for ARP HEERF III Supplemental Funds to document that they have incurred an expense as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic and meet other eligibility criteria. Current expenses could relate to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses, among others. Supplemental Fund applications will begin being considered starting 4/4/2022, and awards will be made until the funds are exhausted.
For students enrolled in Spring 2022 or Summer 2022, students must meet eligibility criteria including:
Worcester State University ARP/HEERFIII Quarterly Report (Student Financial Aid) Sponsor: U.S. Department of Education Award #: P425E203852 Award Amount: $6,660,064.00 Report Date: 9/30/21 (Q3, 2021 Report), 12/15/21 (Q4, 2021 Report), 3/29/22 (Q1, 2022 Report), 6/22/2022 (Q2, 2022 Report – FINAL)
An acknowledgement that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Worcester State University agrees to the conditions outlined within the Certification and Agreement, including using no less than 50 percent of the funds received under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. Please note, CRRSAA and ARP did not require institutions to sign/return the Certification and Agreement, and this was signed/returned during the CARES Act.
The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
Worcester State University has received $6,660,064.00 from the department.
Update 12/15/2021: Worcester State University received a total of $6,660,064 associated with ARP (HEERF 3). Worcester State University received a total of $2,111,417 associated with the CRRSAA (HEERF 2). Worcester State University received a total of $2,111,417 associated with the CARES (HEERF 1). In total (combining HEERF1, HEERF2, HEERF3), Worcester State University received $10,882,898. The following section explains the ARP (HEERF 3) distribution. For additional information on CARES (HEERF 1), please visit: https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/cares-act/. For additional information on CRRSAA (HEERF 2), please visit: https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/crrsaa-act-heerf-ii/.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the initial report and every calendar quarter thereafter).
As of 9/30/2021, no Emergency Financial Aid Grants were distributed to students. Payments will be issued beginning Q4, 2021.
Update 12/15/2021: A total of $3,361,150 was distributed to students as of 12/15/2021. The remaining funds will be distributed in Q2, 2022.
Update 3/29/2022: A total of $6,571,350 was distributed to students as of 3/29/2022. The remaining funds will be distributed in Q2, 2022.
Final Update 6/22/2022: A total of $6,660,064.00 was distributed to students as of 6/22/2022.
The estimated total number of students at the institution that are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
Preliminary calculations indicate that approximately 5,000 – 5,400 students will be eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP. Final calculations will be completed in Q4, 2021.
Update 12/15/2021: A total of 5,271 unduplicated students were eligible, and received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (Fall 2021, disbursements).
Update 3/29/2022: A total of 4,896 unduplicated students were eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (Spring 2022 disbursements).
Final Update 6/22/2022: A total of 4,897 unduplicated students were eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants under ARP (Spring 2022 disbursements).
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
Update 12/15/2021: A total of 5,271 unduplicated students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the ARP (a)(1) program (Fall, 2021 disbursements). Worcester State University did not issue any CRRSAA payments in Q3 or Q4, 2021.
Update 3/29/2022: A total of 4,704 unduplicated students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the ARP (a)(1) program (Spring, 2022 disbursements). The remaining payments will be issued in Q2, 2022. Worcester State University did not issue any CRRSAA payments in Q3 or Q4, 2021 or Q1, 2022.
Final Update 6/22/2022: A total of 4,897 unduplicated students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the ARP (a)(1) program (Spring, 2022 disbursements). Worcester State University did not issue any CRRSAA payments in Q3 or Q4, 2021 or Q1/Q2 2022.
The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs.
The distribution methodology is posted on the Worcester State University website (https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/arp-heerf-iii/) and grant amounts will be finalized in Q4, 2021.
Update 12/15/2021: Worcester State University separated the response into two parts: 1.) Eligibility determination, and 2.) Distribution methodology.
In total, Worcester State University distributed $3,361,150.00 of the ARP funds to students based on the eligibility criteria noted above. The remaining ARP funds will be distributed to students in Q2, 2022.
Update 3/29/2022: Worcester State University separated the response into two parts: 1.) Eligibility determination, and 2.) Distribution methodology.
Final Update 6/22/2022: Worcester State University distributed a total of $6,660,064 in ARP funds to students. This is comprised of $$3,361,150.00 (Fall Distribution) and $3,298,914 (Spring Distribution) based on the eligibility criteria noted above.
Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Instructions, directions or guidance will be distributed upon disbursement in Q4, 2021.
Update 12/15/2021: Worcester State University communicated instructions, directions and guidance directly to students via individualized emails. Additionally, Worcester State University created a webpage: (https://www.worcester.edu/admissions-aid/enrollment-management/arp-heerf-iii/) dedicated to providing students instructions, directions, guidance and contact information concerning ARP Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 9/30/2021.
2021 Q3 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 12/30/2021.
2021 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2021 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-04-08)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion, (a)(2), and (a)(3), if applicable as of 3/31/2022.
2022 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2022 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-07-06)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 6/30/2022
2022 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report 2022 Q2 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report (Amended 2022-10-06)
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 9/30/2022
2022 Q3 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 12/31/2022
2022 Q4 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for all HEERF I, II, and III grant funds as of 3/31/2023
2023 Q1 Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report
