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 to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Millsaps has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement for HEERF funding and Millsaps has utilized the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

In addition to the $380,920 in CRRSAA student funding, 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 coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. Students determine how they may use their emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses.

As of 12/31/21, Millsaps has disbursed $380,920 in CRRSAA funds to 315 students. We estimated there were 587 Spring 2020 students who may have been eligible to receive emergency grants based on FAFSA submissions and self-certification. Information regarding the method used to distribute CRRSAA funds can be found here.

As of 12/31/21, Millsaps has disbursed $1,031,799 in ARP funds to 240 students. We estimated there were 732 Fall 2021 students eligible to receive ARP funds.

**UPDATE: As of 12/31/2021, all student funds available through ARP and CRRSAA have been disbursed.

In order to ensure support of students with exceptional need and/or extenuating circumstances, Millsaps distributed ARP funds through an application process.

Students submitted a request for these emergency funds by completing an application. This grant requires the prioritization of those 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 could include students who may have faced significant unexpected expenses either for themselves or that would affect their financial circumstances, such as the loss of employment, reduced income, or food or housing insecurity. Students chose to have their ARP funds applied directly to an outstanding balance on their student account or elected to receive a check. Students made this election on their application.

Students who ceased enrollment prior to March 13, 2020, were not eligible for HEERF funding.

Please contact caresfunding@millsaps.edu for further information.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) provided 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 have been eligible for ARP funding if you were 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 requested funds via our online application. The deadline to apply was Friday, September 24, 2021.

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 were 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 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 was committed to assisting all eligible students to the greatest extent possible with the ARP funds available.

Funds were distributed through an application process. Students requested 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 received was 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 chose to have their ARP funds applied directly to any outstanding balance on their Millsaps account or to receive a check.  Students made this election on their application. If a student requested to receive a check, the check was 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.

Information on the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERF) II may be found here.