HEERF-III American Rescue Plan (ARP) Student Emergency Grant

Graduate Students or International Students

Note: This includes undergraduate and graduate students in any of the following categories: international students, refugees and asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and DREAMers. This also includes graduate students who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

To be considered for funding, students must meet the following three criteria in the Spring 2022 semester:

• Be matriculated in a degree granting or credit-bearing certificate program at UMass Lowell (non-degree students are not eligible)
• Be enrolled in:
  • a minimum of six credits of coursework OR
  • your final degree requirement at fewer than 6 credits OR
  • be an international student in full time enrollment status according to SEVIS regulations
• Reside in the United States

Undergraduate Students

To be considered for funding, students must:

• Have a valid 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-citizen as determined by FAFSA.
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-granting program during Spring 2022.
• Be registered for at least six credits of coursework during Spring 2022.

HEERF emergency funds may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance (tuition, fees, housing, food, books and supplies, health care and child care), or for emergency costs due to coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, healthcare, mental healthcare and child care.

Yes, for graduate and international students who reside in the United States. Unlike the CARES Act aid, online students are eligible to be considered for HEERF emergency funds.

GRADUATE STUDENTS OR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS  
Note: This includes undergraduate and graduate students in any of the following categories: international students, refugees and asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and DREAMers. This also includes graduate students who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. 

Students in this category must submit an application. It’s easy to apply and only takes five minutes. Apply Now!

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Eligible students in this category will be determined by the university based on FAFSA and enrollment information. There is no application for students in this category.

Graduate Students or International Students

Note: This includes undergraduate and graduate students in any of the following categories: international students, refugees and asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and DREAMers. This also includes graduate students who are U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.

We anticipate ARP grants will be awarded up to $1,000 depending on the number of applications received. Students will be notified via email if grant funding has been awarded and when the funds will be distributed.

Undergraduate Students

In accordance with federal guidelines, the university will prioritize students with exceptional need by using the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by FAFSA to determine final award amount. We anticipate the award amount to range from $250 - $1350 for the spring 2022 semester.

If you are awarded funding, the grant will be processed through your student account and be disbursed directly to you via direct deposit. We strongly encourage you to verify your bank account information is accurate in SIS Student Center. Instructions to set up direct deposit can be found on the Enrolling in Direct Deposit job aid (pdf).

If you opt for a paper check, you will need to cash the check immediately. If the check is not cashed within 90 days, regardless of the 6 month timeframe printed on the check, the award will be forfeited and given to another student. Please log into Student Center and verify your address is accurate. If it is incorrect, please update your address now to avoid lost checks.

No. The HEERF Emergency aid is a grant and therefore does not need to be repaid.

No. Per the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the grant will not be included in your taxable income. Please visit the IRS’s website for more details.

A portion of the HEERF funds will be set aside for graduate students and international students. Students will be asked to complete an online application to be considered for funds. Find more information for graduate and international students.

If difficult circumstances significantly affect your family’s financial situation this year, or if the income information on the FAFSA is dramatically different from your current financial situation due to current unemployment or underemployment, UMass Lowell may be able to help. Please visit uml.edu/circumstances to find out about our appeal process.

The EFC is calculated using the financial information on the FAFSA. It is an estimate of the amount your family could reasonably contribute toward college costs. You can find your EFC by logging in to your SIS Student Center then follow the steps below:

• Click on Financial Aid Center under Finance and Financial Aid
• Click “View Current Financial Aid”
• Choose the current aid year
• Click the Financial Aid Summary link
• View your Expected Family Contribution

No, the HEERF Emergency Grant will not impact your financial aid award.