Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding

On March 11, 2021, President Biden 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. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260), and the ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

Students who are or were enrolled on or after March 13, 2020 are eligible for emergency financial aid grants from the HEERF, regardless of whether they completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are eligible for Title IV. Pierce College is required to prioritize students with exceptional need.

Emergency financial aid grants may be used by 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.

Applying for Emergency Relief Funding

Note: Applications for this funding are now closed.

Pierce College partnered with Edquity to help bring emergency grants and resources to students experiencing a financial crisis. Funds were provided from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which includes the CARES Act, CRRSAA, and ARP.

Learn more about Edquity and emergency funding.

Pierce College Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding and Reporting

HEERF I, II, and III Student Aid

Pierce College acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement, and gives the assurance that Pierce College intends to use no less than 50% of the funds received under HEERF I, II, and III emergency relief funds to students.

Pierce College has been awarded $12,059,163 for Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
The College has estimated that 7000 students may be eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants from Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

In order to distribute funds quickly, a standard grant of $2000 was awarded to those students with the greatest financial need, who met Pell eligibility.

  • As of May 28, 2020, Pierce College disbursed $238,400.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 219 students.
  • As of December 30, 2020, Pierce College has disbursed $985,515.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 610 students. This represents an additional disbursement of $747,115.00 to 391 students.
  • As of March 31, 2021, Pierce College has disbursed $1,461,260.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 977 students. This represents an additional disbursement of $475,745 to 367 students.
  • As of June 30, 2021, Pierce College has disbursed $1,920,660.00 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 1,267 students. This represents an additional disbursement of $459,400 to 290 students.
  • As of September 30, 2021, Pierce College has disbursed $10,421,228.68 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 1,884 students. This represents an additional disbursement of $8,500,568.68 to 617 students.
  • As of December 31, 2021, Pierce College has disbursed $14,183,083.80 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 4,705 students. This includes 12,059,163 in HEERF I, II, and III Student Aid, as well as a disbursement of 2,123,921 from the HEERF I, II, and III Institutional Portion. This represents an additional disbursement of $3,761,855.12 to 2,821 students.

HEERF I, II, and III Student Aid Final Report

HEERF I, II, III (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) Institutional Portion

Pierce College has been awarded $16,247,002 in HEERF Institutional funding, including $570,284 as part of the Strengthening Institutions program.