American Rescue Plan Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

On July 13, the U.S. Department of Education announced the final award of $198 million in American Rescue Plan Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). According to the department’s press release, the bulk of funds will be directed to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, rural institutions, and institutions serving large populations of low-income students. Institutions are also required to distribute half of all grant funds directly to students – meeting needs such as housing, tuition support, addressing food insecurity, and other basic needs. The press release also includes a state breakdown in funds. The Office of Postsecondary Education will post the full list of awarded institutions on the SSARP website soon.