Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II)
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRSSA) provides additional funding to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) to ensure learning continues for students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Antioch University has received HEERF II funding and will be distributing grants ranging from $250 to $1,000 to eligible students enrolled in Spring 2021 periods of enrollment.
Grant funds may be used for any component of the cost of attendance (i.e., food, housing and utilities, health insurance including mental health care, transportation, or childcare) or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus.
To apply for HEERF II grant funds, please log into AUDirect between April 12-21, 2021.
The application will be open from April 12-21, 2021.
Funding is limited, and Antioch University is required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional need. Not all students who apply will receive federal grant funds. All responses will be reviewed and award notifications will be sent to students’ Antioch email address. Applicants not awarded grant funds will also be notified by email.
We are using the FAFSA’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as a proxy to define exceptional need as we review student applications. We will award based on priority groups, until all funding is expended.
If you are awarded a HEERF II grant, you will receive notification via email and funds will be refunded directly to you via your preferred method currently on file (by direct deposit or paper check).
If you have questions, see FAQ’s below or contact the HEERF Response team at: [email protected]
I received an e-mail telling me I am eligible, but I can’t find the link to the application. What should I do?
If you are unable to find the HEERFII Apply button on your AUDirect home page, please try the following:
- Log out of AUDirect
- Close your browser
- Open a new browser* and log into AUDirect.
*Google Chrome is the recommended browser for this specific application.
If issues persist, please reach out to [email protected], and a team member will assist you.
How much money has Antioch University received for CRRSAA HEERFII Student Aid funds and how many students qualify?
Antioch received a total of $1,813,557 in HEERF II funding, split into two portions – $553,606 in student aid grants, and $1,259,951 in institutional support. Approximately 2,999 students may be eligible.
Who is eligible for the CRRSAA HEERF II Student Aid funds?
Congress has directed these funds to go to students with exceptional financial need, such as those eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant. Current Antioch University undergraduate and graduate students who apply within the application period of April 12-21, 2021 will be considered for an award and will be reviewed by way priority groups using EFC as a proxy to identify exceptional need.
To be considered eligible to apply, you must be:
- Matriculated into a program of study
- Currently enrolled within the Spring 2021 term
- A citizen or eligible non-citizen
If my EFC is more than zero, am I excluded from eligibility?
No. All students who apply and attest to the need for the funds within the application period will be considered. and Funds will be granted using priority groups (established using EFC as a proxy to identify exceptional need) until fully expended. PLEASE NOTE: There are limited funds and so not all students who apply will receive a grant.
What if I didn’t file a FAFSA, am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, eligibility for aid is not a requirement for HEERFII funding. Note that we are required to award funds to students with exceptional need and will use EFC as a proxy, if on file, to prioritize those eligible for grants until funding is fully expended. PLEASE NOTE: There are limited funds and so not all students who apply will receive a grant.
To be considered eligible to apply, you must be:
- Matriculated into a program of study
- Currently enrolled within the Spring 2021 term
- A citizen or eligible non-citizen
When were qualifying students notified of their eligibility status and the amount of their grants?
On April 12, 2021, the University sent emails to the 2,999 students identified as eligible to apply for HEERFII federal funds. The email announcement included a link to the application for HEERFII funding. We will review all applications after the close of the application period. Application period is April 12, 2021 – April 21, 2021. We will begin communicating to students awarded funding on April 27. All communications go to a student’s Antioch University student email.
How do I apply?
There is an application process. A communication was sent from the Chancellor’s Office on Monday April 12, 2021 that included a link to the application. Eligible students will be able to find a link logged into AUDirect . If you have trouble locating the application, please contact [email protected].
When will CRRSAA HEERF II Student Aid funds be available?
We will begin communicating to students awarded funding on April 27. All communications will go to a student’s Antioch University student email.
How will students receive their grants?
We will be processing your award on or after April 30; you will receive the full amount via mailed check or automatic deposit if you are signed up for it.
- If you are not signed up for automatic deposit, you can sign up via ‘AU View “under the Financial Information section “Non-Payroll Bank Information”
- You can also verify or make changes to your mailing address in ‘AUView’ under “Update My Contact Information. ‘AUView’ can be found after logging into your student account via the AUDirect Link.
Will receiving a grant through the CRRSAA HEERFII affect a student’s regular financial aid?
No. Recipients of emergency grants will see no impact on the calculation of their financial need.
How were funds awarded?
The HEERFII grant was awarded by way of priority groups until all funds have been expended. We acknowledge that there is more need than we have available funds, so not all students who applied received a grant.
To determine exceptional need and priority groups, we utilized a student-centric approach by comparing EFC scores on both 2020-21 and 2021-22 FAFSA applications that were submitted by the close of the HEERFII application period. We used the lesser EFC score as a proxy in determining priority groups.
Are CRRSAA HEERFII Student Aid fund grants taxable?
No. The grants are not included in gross taxable income. For that reason, also, students who use some of their grant to pay for course materials required for online learning cannot claim that expense as a qualifying tax deduction or credit.
Are students who were enrolled exclusively in online programs prior to the national coronavirus emergency eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants?
Yes. This is a change from the previous policy set by Congress under the CARES Act.
Do I have to pay this money back?
No. Any funds a student receives from the CRRSAA HEERF II will not need to be repaid.
I got this money as a refund. Does this mean my student account balance has been paid off?
No. Distribution of CRRSAA HEERF II Student Aid funds is made directly to students and not applied by the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student. As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their financial obligations to Antioch University for any charges incurred during the Spring 2021 term or any terms prior. Please check your current student account balance in AUView.
Can students appeal decisions regarding their eligibility or the amount of their grant?
There is no process for appeal. However, for students in immediate, urgent need, we encourage you to communicate that to us by emailing: [email protected]
Can CRRSAA HEERF II Student Aid fund grants be used to pay for tuition or outstanding balances for fees, debts or other amounts owed to their college?
Yes. The funds are for the students to use however they see fit, but are intended for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the coronavirus. These include expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare. AU chose to put the money directly into the hands of its students so that they may choose how to best use these funds.