The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 included additional COVID-19 relief through -the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act. This new COVID-19 stimulus bill was signed into law Dec. 27, 2020 and included funding for higher education institutions and students, using the same Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) model established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funding must be prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF II financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or childcare. The availability of this award is not continuous.
To fulfill the Department of Education’s guidance, USC Union will be awarding grants to students across all levels as determined by the FAFSA with amounts ranging from $400 to $1050. Pell Grant recipients currently enrolled full-time will be awarded $1050 and Pell Grant recipients currently enrolled less than full-time will be awarded $850. All other currently enrolled full-time eligible students will receive $500 and currently enrolled less than full-time will be awarded $400.00.
In early June, any HEERF II funding that had been declined by awardees was reallocated to students who accepted an initial HEERF II award and maintained eligibility for Title IV federal student financial aid. This additional award was $53.00 per recipient.
The grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:
- USC-Union has received an official FAFSA as of April 12, 2021
- Meet the Title IV Federal eligibility requirements
- Be a degree-seeking student enrolled for Spring 2021 term as of April 12, 2021
- Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements
This one-time award will be placed on the student’s account for Spring 2021 and an award notification email will be sent to students to view their awards on SSC. The student must also accept the certification to receive the funds. However, if you did not incur any expenses, please decline the awards via SSC. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our campus Financial Aid Office at reholcom@mailbox.sc.edu or by phone 864-424-8024. You can also chat with us online.
HIGHER EDUCATION EMERGENCY RELIEF FEDERAL GRANT (HEERF III) - American Rescue Plan (ARP)
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funding must be prioritized to provide emergency grants to students with exceptional financial need. HEERF III financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or childcare. The availability of this award is not continuous.
To fulfill the Department of Education’s guidance, USC Union will be awarding grants to students across all levels, as determined by the FAFSA, with amounts ranging from $1100 to $3,300. Pell Grant recipients will be awarded $3,300. Students with an official EFC of 10,000 or less and no Pell Grant eligibility will receive $2,200. All other regular students will receive $1,100.00. To be eligible for any amount, students had to be enrolled in at least one course for Fall 2021 as of September 2021.
In late November, any HEERF III funding that had been declined by awardees was reallocated to students who are currently enrolled, accepted an initial HEERF III award and maintained eligibility. This additional award was $333.00 per recipient.
This one-time award will be placed on the student’s account for Fall 2021 and an award notification email will be sent to students to view their awards on SSC. Students must also accept the certification to receive the funds. However, if you did not incur any expenses, please decline the awards via SSC. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our campus Financial Aid Office at reholcom@mailbox.sc.edu or by phone 864-424-8024. You can also chat with us online.
USC Palmetto College HEERF II/III Grant FAQs
HEERF II/III financial aid grants for students may be used for any component of a student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare), or child care.
For HEERF II, eligible students are selected automatically based on their enrollment during the Spring 2021 semester. Students must meet the additional criteria as stated above.
For HEERF III, eligible students are selected automatically based on their enrollment during the Fall 2021 semester. Students must meet the additional criteria as stated above.
Eligible students will have the award posted to Self Service Carolina. After the acceptance of the award, the HEERF II/III Grant will be direct deposited into your bank accounts or a refund check in the mail.
The HEERF II/III Grant will be refunded regardless of any outstanding balance on your account. If you owe a balance on your student account, you can use HEERF III funds to reduce or possibly pay in full your account balance by completing the HEERF II/III Consent form. Students whose award is more than their student account charges will receive a refund for the difference. If you wish to have the credit applied, please complete the HEERF II/III Consent form located at HEERF II/III Consent to Apply to Student Account Balance.
Return the form to the Bursar’s Office via the email address or fax number listed at the top of the form.
No, the HEERF II/III Grant does not have to be repaid.