HEERF III Federal Funding Award

Dear Stonehill Students,

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) (Pub. L. 117-2). The ARP appropriated funds for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) to be appropriated to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.  HEERF III allows higher education institutions to use these appropriated funds to support students, and the institution itself, with expenses and financial needs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Stonehill College has been approved to receive $1,912,000 in HEERF III funds to assist students with emergency grant allocations. These one-time emergency grants to students may be applied to “any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.” 

The main criterion for a HEERF III grant funding is the demonstration of a genuine, eligible expense incurred and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must have been an active student who was enrolled in a full-time degree program at Stonehill College during the COVID pandemic or is an active student enrolled in the Fall 2021 and/or Spring 2022 semesters.
• Must have experienced a financial hardship related to any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.

The College has prioritized the distribution of the HEERF III funding based on the following approach, with its commitment to prioritize students with exceptional need. Please note, amounts of HEERF grant funding will vary based on individual student information.

• Students who received remote learning grants during the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Students with demonstrated financial need either through the submission of a FASFA or an appeal to their financial aid award, based upon financial hardship due to COVID.
• Students whose financial aid awards were increased from the prior year, due to financial changes in their expected family contribution amounts or COVID-related hardships. 

Students who are eligible based on these criteria will be notified directly by the Student Financial Assistance Office. 

Based on remaining HEERF III funding, a direct grant program will be initiated to students who have been impacted financially by the pandemic, regardless of need level. The College will notify students of the timing of this program (expected by the end of October), along with the approved grant amounts. 

Students can reach out to the Student Financial Aid Office with any questions regarding their individual financial aid awards. 

Sincerely,

William Smith
Assistant Vice President for Student Financial Services