ARP Spring 2022 Frequently Asked Questions

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

The University of La Verne received $8,635,830 through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) to be disbursed in the form of emergency grants to students.

This disbursement, from the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to prioritize students with the greatest demonstrated financial need.

To be eligible to be automatically considered for an ARP 2021 emergency student grant, you must:

Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
Have a completed 2021-22 FAFSA on file, demonstrating your eligibility to receive federal financial aid, and substantial unmet financial need. If you have not completed a 2021-22 FAFSA, please complete a FAFSA for the 2021-22 financial aid year. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.
Be enrolled in a degree-seeking or teacher-certification University of La Verne program for the Spring 2022 semester.

For students who have completed a FAFSA there is not an application process to request funding from this grant. All U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens who have a FAFSA application completed will automatically be considered for the grant.

The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.

Students who are unable to complete a FAFSA, such as international and undocumented students, are eligible for these grants, with an additional application process. The deadline to complete the application for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the application for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.

The maximum amount of emergency assistance that is provided by this grant is up to $1,000 based on need and eligibility.

Priority consideration for grants is being given to students with substantial funding gaps (“unmet need”). Eligible students enrolled in Spring 2022 may receive an emergency grant of up to $1,000. If funding allows, students with smaller funding gaps will be considered at a later date.

Students who have not yet completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA may still do so by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. Students should use the University of La Verne’s FAFSA school code 001216 when submitting.

HEERF Emergency Grants Report

ARP/HEERF III Funding Section 2003(a) (1) – Student Portion

Quarterly Report: For the period ending September 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022

Last updated: 4/11/2022

On March 11, 2021, the President of the United States signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Pub. L. 117-2). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.

The US Department of Education directs each institution receiving funds under section 314 to submit this report describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP).

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.
Institutions who received HEERF I Grant funds under the CARES Act were not required to submit an application for the HEERF III Grant. In keeping with the terms of acceptance of these funds, the University of La Verne will use no less than $8,635,830 as stated under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
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.
The University of La Verne received a total of $8,635,830 under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP, which was provided as Emergency Financial Aid Grants directly to students with expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis.
The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP, as of the following date(s):
9/30/2021: $1,850,100
12/31/2021: $2,914,200
03/31/2022: $5,536,175
The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in TITLE IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP, is4,555.
The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP, as of the following dates:
9/30/2021: 2,637
12/31/2021: 3,979
03/31/2022: 4,406
Method(s) used by the institution to determine who receives Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive.
Students were automatically considered for an ARP 2021 emergency grant if they met the following criteria:
- There were a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- They completed a 2021-22 FAFSA
- They were enrolled in a degree-seeking or teacher-certification University of La Verne program for the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 semester.
  Students who are unable to complete a FAFSA, such as international and undocumented students, are also eligible for these grants, with an additional application process. The maximum amount of emergency assistance that is provided by this grant is up to $1,000 per semester based on need and eligibility. Priority consideration for grants is being given to students with substantial funding gaps (“unmet need”) and pell eligible students.
Instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants: The University’s American Rescue Plan website was updated on September 2, 2021 to include information on the Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 314(a)(1) of the ARP. This website includes eligibility requirements for the grant, deadlines, timelines, and FAQS. All enrolled students received an email alerting them to the HEERF III/ARP Emergency Financial Aid Grants, and directing them to the University website. In addition, emails were sent to students who were eligible to receive the grant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question What is ARP?

The American Rescue Plan 2021 (ARP 2021) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to individuals and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) that provides more than $39.6 billion in emergency funding to higher education to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus.

Question Am I eligible?

To be eligible to be automatically considered for an ARP 2021 emergency student grant, you must:

Be a US citizen or an eligible noncitizen
Have a completed 2021-22 FAFSA on file, demonstrating your eligibility to receive federal financial aid, and substantial unmet financial need. If you have not completed a 2021-22 FAFSA, please complete a FAFSA for the 2021-22 financial aid year. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.
Be enrolled in a degree-seeking or teacher-certification University of La Verne program for the Spring 2022 semester.

If you are not a US citizen, are undocumented, or a DACA student, you may still be eligible to receive funding. Please complete an application here in order to be considered for the latest ARP Grant. The deadline to complete the application for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the application for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.

Question Which students are eligible for the grant?

These funds can be awarded to any and all students pursuing degree programs and enrolled at the University of La Verne.

Question What is the application process limited to this semester?

Per recommendation of the Department of Education, funds will automatically be distributed to students reflecting a high need based on their FAFSA submission. This will ensure that students receive funding as soon as possible without the need to submit an application.

Question I’ve already received CARES Act and CRRSAA funding. Does that mean I cannot receive ARP 2021 funding?

No. The CARES Act, CRRSAA 2021, and ARP 2021 grant are separate grants provided by the federal government.

Question How can I determine if I have substantial unmet financial need?

Your unmet need is the gap between your estimated cost of attendance and your financial aid resources. You can review your complete Financial Aid Award Package through your portal, including your estimated cost of attendance for the year. Your financial aid award letter also contained these values. Substantial unmet need is defined as more than $5,000 for the academic year.

Question Why can’t I receive more than $1,000?

Funds are limited, and we need to ensure that we meet the critical needs of as many students as possible.

Question How do I become considered for these funds? Is there a deadline?

You will need to have a completed 2021-2022 FAFSA on file in order to be considered for eligibility. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the FAFSA for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.Students who have not yet completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA may still do so by visiting the Federal Student Aid website. Students should use the University of La Verne’s FAFSA school code 001216 when submitting. Completing a FAFSA may also make you eligible for additional funds beyond ARP grants to support your educational expenses.

Question How soon will funding be distributed?

Funds will be distributed the week of February 28 for semester-based programs and the week of April 25 for session two only.

The deadline to complete the FAFSA or application for students enrolled in courses that began the week of January 31 is Friday, March 4, 2022. The deadline to complete the FAFSA or application for students enrolled in courses that begin the week of April 4 is Friday, May 6, 2022.

Question How will the funds be sent to me?

ARP 2021 grants will be processed through the Office of Student Accounts. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to log in to the La Verne Portal and enroll in direct deposit now so that the funds can be disbursed directly to your account. Here are complete instructions for how to do so. If you do not have direct deposit set up, a paper check will be mailed to the physical address you provided in La Verne Portal.

Question Will these funds affect the rest of my financial aid package?

No. This is an emergency grant to help you manage unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive. However, your FAFSA may qualify you for additional funds separate from ARP.

Question What if I still have an account balance?

Any ARP 2021 funds awarded will be paid to you directly, and do not have to be applied to outstanding balances owed to the University of La Verne. Such balances will remain the responsibility of the student. Funds received can be used to cover cost of attendance or for emergency expenses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, including (but not limited to) food, housing, healthcare, and childcare.

Question Will I be expected to pay the money back?

No, the funds are yours to keep.

Question Are ARP 2021 grants taxable?

No. Emergency financial aid grants made by a federal agency, State, Indian tribe, higher education institution or scholarship-granting organization (including a tribal organization) to a student because of an event related to the COVID-19 national emergency are not included in the student’s gross income. For more information, please see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) bulletin Emergency aid granted to students due to COVID is not taxable (March 30, 2021)The IRS also has an FAQ document dedicated to ARP tax questions here. Please continue to review the IRS website for additional updates and information.

Question Can I receive funding more than once?

Each eligible student will only be awarded once for the Spring 2022 semester. If funding is still available after the semester/session ends, you may be eligible to receive funds during the Summer or Fall 2022 semesters.

Question I don’t qualify for an ARP 2021 grant. What other resources are available to me?

Additional grants and emergency relief funds previously provided by the University of La Verne have been exhausted. We would recommend that you visit https://www.ca.gov/ to see what government provided financial resources may be available to you. For other resources, please visit the COVID-19 Student Resources website.

Question Will there be additional emergency financial assistance available for future semester-sessions?

The university is continuing to monitor what funds may be available for future semesters. Students will be notified as soon as possible if further emergency financial assistance becomes available.

Question Help! I have more questions and/or need more help with my finances. Who can I talk to?

For any additional questions regarding ARP grants, please email ulvcares@laverne.edu and we will do our best to help you. For more assistance with financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.