The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education nationwide to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Millsaps disbursed to qualified students starting in May 2020.
In good news, the college has received $1,031,799 in ARP funds to provide directly to students for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Students determine how they use their emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses.
In order to ensure support of students with exceptional need and/or extenuating circumstances, Millsaps will distribute ARP funds through an application process.
The grant requires the prioritization of students with exceptional need. To meet this requirement, students with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Financial Aid Office with Pell Grant eligibility will be given priority. Beyond Pell eligibility, other types of exceptional need include students who may have faced significant unexpected personal expenses or situations that have adversely impacted their financial circumstances, such as the loss of employment, reduced income, or food or housing insecurity.
Interested and impacted Millsaps College students are required and encouraged to submit their request for these emergency funds by completing this online application. Fund recipients may choose to have their ARP funds applied directly to an outstanding balance on their student account or to receive a check. Students will make this election on their application.
Students who are no longer enrolled at Millsaps prior to March 13, 2020, are not eligible for HEERF funding. The deadline to apply for ARP funds is Friday, September 24, 2021.
Please contact caresfunding@millsaps.edu for further information.
ARP FAQs
The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) provides emergency funding to colleges to assist students in need during the coronavirus pandemic. Prior HEERF funding was known as both the CARES Act Funding and CRRSAA Funding.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for ARP funding if you are currently an enrolled Millsaps College undergraduate, graduate, or non-degree student or if you enrolled at Millsaps on or after March 13, 2020.
How do I apply?
Students must request funds via our online application. The deadline to apply is Friday, September 24, 2021.
ARP Emergency Grant Application
What is the American Rescue Plan (ARP) HEERF III Funding?
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education nationwide to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136, which Millsaps distributed to qualified students beginning in May 2020.
Millsaps College has received $1,031,799 in ARP funds to provide directly to students for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Students may determine how they use their emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses.
How much will I receive?
Millsaps is committed to assisting all eligible to the greatest extent possible with the ARP funds available.
Funds will be distributed through an application process. Students should request funds based on their actual financial need for expenses related to any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs due to the impact of COVID-19, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. The actual amount each student will receive is based on the number of applications received and the funds available. Exceptional need and other factors such as Pell eligibility, estimated family contribution (EFC) and extenuating circumstances will also be utilized in prioritizing the funds. Student grants will be considered up to $6,495 as suggested by the Department of Education.
How will I receive this money?
Students will choose to have their ARP funds applied directly to any outstanding balance on their Millsaps account or to receive a check. Students will make this election on their application. If a student requests to receive a check, the check will be mailed to their permanent address on file in the college’s Office of Records. Students may update their permanent address by completing and submitting a change of address form.
Do I need to repay the money?
No. Students will not need to repay any money received through this fund.
Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. This is an emergency grant to help students manage unexpected expenses related to the impact of COVID-19. It will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Can I use this money to pay my student account balance?
Yes. Students can choose to have their ARP funds applied directly to any outstanding balance on their student account. Students will make this election on their application.
Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion
