Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II)
On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA). This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education funds to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
The CRRSAA law has some similarities, as well as important differences, from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) that was enacted on March 27, 2020. Like the CARES Act, the CRRSAA Act provides grants to students, but an important difference is that students enrolled in exclusively distance education courses will be allowed to receive an award under the CRRSAA law. Because of this, significantly more students at NSU will receive an award under CRRSAA.
Last year, Northwestern State University distributed $2.8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to provide NSU CARES grants to eligible students who experienced education disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, NSU has been awarded an additional $2.8 million through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to continue to support students who have an exceptional need due to COVID-19.
Students may use the grants toward:
- any component of their cost of attendance
- emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- tuition
- food
- housing
- health care (including mental)
- childcare
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled for the Spring 2021 semester as of March 16, 2021.
- All regularly admitted students to the university beyond the Preparatory (High School Dual Enrollment) classification (this does not include Continuing Education Students).
- Must be a U.S Citizen
Who is ineligible to receive HEERF II (NSU CRRSAA) grants:
- Federal guidelines exclude undocumented and international students from receiving HEERF II (NSU CRRSAA) funds
- Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students
Payments
Funds will be posted on your student account and paid in the form of a direct deposit (if set up) or a paper check by US mail to your student address on file with the university. NSU plans to issue payments on April 1, 2021.
Amount of Awards
Every eligible student will be awarded the same amount: $352.00/student.
Reporting Requirements
- Total amount of CRRSAA funds NSU will receive for student grants: $2,823,517
- Total CRRSAA grants disbursed to students as of April 12, 2021: $2,823,517
- Total Number of students who received CRRSAA grants as of April 12, 2021: 8017
- Total Number of students eligible for CRRSAA as of April 12, 2021: 8017
Notices to Students
Frequently Asked Questions
- Am I required to complete a certification process for emergency grant funding?
- No certification requirements are needed for a student to receive funding.
- Who is eligible for HEERF Il funding?
- HEERF II (NSU CRRSAA) funds are available to all eligible students (excluding High School Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students) enrolled as of March 16, 2021. You must be a US Citizen admitted to the university beyond a Preparatory or Continuing Education classification.
- Who is excluded from CRRSAA Act funding?
- Students who are Continuing Education programs or who were in high school; students who are not US citizens.
- How much will my award be?
- Every eligible student will be awarded the same amount: $352.00/student.
- When will I receive payment?
- NSU plans to issue payments on April 1, 2021.
- If I have a balance with NSU, will my grant be applied towards my balance?
- Students who have a balance with NSU will have the option to apply their HEERF II (NSU CRRSAA) funding towards any charges still owed to NSU. This option will appear within your MyNSU account.
- If I am at my maximum Cost of Attendance (COA), am I eligible to receive funding?
- Students who meet all the eligibility requirements and are at their COA, will receive funding. Awards do not count towards a student’s Estimated Financial Assistance.
- Am I eligible if I am a currently enrolled as a Dual Enrollment Student?
- Can Undocumented Students and International Students Receive Funds Under the HEERF II?
- Does the money need to be repaid?
- How will I receive my emergency grant?
- Funds will be posted on your student account and paid in the form of a direct deposit (if set up) or a paper check by US mail to your student address on file with the university.
- How do I know if I have established direct deposit?
- You can review direct deposit information within MyNSU.
- If you have not established a direct deposit, you can sign up by submitting the direct deposit form (located at the link below) by March 30th. Please submit a voided blank check or a letter from your bank on your bank’s letterhead for your direct deposit request to be processed.
- Please return this form to the Cashiers Office, 3rd Floor Student Services Center, or mail to: Northwestern State University, Student Accounting & Cashiering, P.O. Box 5669, Natchitoches, LA 71497. You may also fax it to 318-357-5387.
- What if my address on file is not correct?
- You will need to complete a change of address form with the NSU Registrar’s Office. Complete and sign the form and submit by fax to 318-357-5823 or email to registrar@nsula.edu for processing.
- What if I have additional questions?
