Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

ARP Act (HEERF III)

The American Rescue Plan or, ARP, authorized the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III. On June 11, 2021 UMBC was approved to provide $13,436,173 in emergency grants to students as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The purpose of the funds is to assist students with costs such as tuition, housing, health care and child care.  The ARP requires funds be prioritized for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need.

Students enrolled for summer with a 2021-2022 FAFSA on file were considered for emergency grants. Grants were award based on demonstrated financial need. Students who expressed need but ineligible to complete a FAFSA, were considered by application.  Students enrolled in fall 2021 were considered for emergency grants starting in October in the same manner.  Students enrolled in spring 2022 were considered for emergency grants in the same manner as well.  These students were considered, with awards made to students demonstrating significant financial need.

Awarded students are notified via myUMBC email and can see the “Federal Emergency Relief Grant” reflected in their Financial Aid Inquiry for the summer and/or fall semester. This grant will not impact any other financial aid or scholarships received.

The grant is applied directly to the billing account for awarded students. It does not cover any outstanding charges, but generates a refund to the student based on the student’s selected refund preference.

Required Federal Reporting

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Report
ARP Act Emergency Grants to Students

1/6/23 002105_HEERF_Q42022_01062023.pdf FINAL This quarterly report for period ending December 31, 2022 provides information about both the institutional and student grant funds. This report specifically documents student grant funds that were canceled due to return checks, which students did not respond to have reissued. Funds were awarded and disbursed to other high need students.

10/7/22 00210500_HEERF_Q32022_100722.pdf FINAL This quarterly report for period ending September 30, 2022 provides information about both the institutional and student grant funds. This report specifically documents student grant funds that were canceled due to returned checks, which students did not respond to have reissued. Funds were awarded and disbursed to other high need students.

7/8/22: 00210500 HEERF Q22022_070822.pdf FINAL  This quarterly report for period ending June 30, 2022 provides information about both the institutional and student grant funds.

4/8/22: Between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022, Emergency Grants were awarded and disbursed to 3891 students, totaling $3,746,900.  Through quarter 4, a total of $13,291,000 has been awarded and disbursed to 8,408 students.  A total of 14,187 students were eligible for emergency grant consideration.

1/10/22: Between October 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, Emergency Grants were awarded and disbursed to 7,815 students, totaling $8,184,900.00. Through quarter 4, a total of $9,711,350 has been awarded and disbursed to 7,923 students.  A total of 12,944 students were eligible for emergency grant consideration.

10/8/21: Between July 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021, Emergency Grants were awarded and disbursed to 1,504 students, totaling $1,526,450.00.  A total of 12,061 students were eligible for emergency grant consideration.

Quarterly Reports for institutional portion:

4/8/22: 00210500_HEERF_Q12022_040822.pdf

1/10/22: 00210500_HEERF_Q42021_011022.pdf

10/8/21: 00210500_HEERF_Q32021_100821.pdf

CRRSA Act (HEERF II)

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act or, CRRSA Act, was passed December 27, 2020 and authorized the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II. On March 19, 2021 UMBC was approved to provide $4,657,829 in emergency grants to students as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. The purpose of the funds is to assist students with costs such as tuition, housing, health care and child care.

The CRRSA Act requires funds be prioritized for students who demonstrate financial need. Of the 7440 students who met the minimum qualifications for the grant, recipients were identified based on level of financial need, using the 2020-2021 FAFSA, and priority was given to students demonstrating exceptional need.

Grants are being made in mid April. Awarded students will be notified via myUMBC email and will see the “Federal Emergency Relief Grant” reflected in their Financial Aid Inquiry for the spring semester. This grant will not impact any other financial aid or scholarships received.

The grant will be applied directly to the billing account for awarded students. It will not cover any outstanding charges, but will generate a refund to the student based on the student’s selected refund preference.

Required Federal Reporting

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Report
CRRSA Act Emergency Grants to Students

4/8/22: Between January 1, 2022 and March 31, 2022, Emergency Grants totaling $16,900 were canceled and undisbursed for 20 students whose emergency grant refund payments were returned and did not respond to reissue attempts.  These grants were re-awarded and disbursed to 19 other eligible students who demonstrated significant financial need based on non-FAFSA aid applications.  All CRRSA emergency grant funds designated for students, totaling $4,657,829, have been awarded and disbursed to a total of 4,738 students.

4/27/21: As of April 27, 2021, Emergency Grants were awarded and disbursed to a total of 4719 students, totaling $4,657,829.  All CRRSA emergency grant funds designated for students have been awarded and disbursed.

4/20/21: Between April 13, 2021 and April 20, 2021, Emergency Grants were awarded and disbursed to 4717 students, totaling $4,655,629.

Quarterly HEERF Financial Report 6/30/21

CARES Act (HEERF I)

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, which was passed by Congress in late March, provides funding to assist students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. UMBC has been granted a pool of CARES Act Emergency Grant funds to offer to students who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the disruption of campus operations and the transition to online learning, as a result of COVID-19.

These emergency grants can be used to cover costs students have incurred due to the disruption of campus operations, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care expenses.

CARES Act FAQs

Am I eligible?

If you are currently enrolled in the fall semester, pursuing a degree (undergraduate or graduate), eligible for federal financial aid and demonstrate a high level of need (based on FAFSA), you may be eligible. The federal criteria include, meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (or on fall financial aid probation), citizenship criteria for FAFSA and all other eligibility criteria that must be met to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Students enrolled in online or non-degree programs, international students and undocumented students are not eligible for CARES Act Emergency Grant funding.

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships began contacting eligible students the week of 9/21/20 for fall grants. Limited grant opportunities will be offered in spring 2021 if funding remains. These students will receive both an email and an alert placed on the myUMBC account with instructions and a link to complete the CARES Emergency Grant Request Form. 

How do I apply?

Complete the CARES Emergency Grant Request Form sent by email or via the link in the to-do posted to your myUMBC account.

I don’t have receipts, is that ok?

Receipts are not required to document your financial impact.

Will I have to repay my grant?

No, any emergency grant that you receive will not need to be repaid.

When will I be notified if I am approved?

Request forms will be reviewed weekly. If approved, you will receive an email stating the amount of your award and when the funds will be applied to your billing account.

How much can I get?

The maximum emergency grant UMBC is awarding is $800.

How will I get the funds?

If approved, the grant will be applied directly to your UMBC billing account. It will not pay any  outstanding charges. The entire grant will be refunded to you. You will receive the funds via your refund preference. Generally, this will be the same manner you received any recalculation of spring fees/room/board.

Will it pay my bill?

This grant is specifically to assist with costs you incurred (or are incurring) due to the disruption of campus operations. It is not permitted to pay for any charges due to the university. It will be refunded to you.

Is this financial aid? Is it income?

Although you must be eligible for Title IV financial aid, these emergency funds do not count as part of your financial aid offer for spring. You will not see the emergency fund appear as part of your financial aid for this year. It will not impact any of the other financial aid you are receiving.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act will not be considered taxable income. Further information about how the funds are considered for tax purposes can be found on the IRS website.

Required Federal Reporting

University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding Report
CARES Act Emergency Grants to Students

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) signed a Certification and Agreement to receive funds from the U. S. Department of Education, which are part of the CARES Act funding provided under Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF). The certification to provide CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants was signed on April 21, 2020. Fifty percent (50%) of the funds received under the HEERF will be used to provide emergency grants to UMBC students.

UMBC has been allocated $4,657,829, which will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to its students.

The office notified eligible student of their eligibility for the grant and provided an electronic certification for them to request the funds and certify that they would be used for COVID-19 related expenses.

10/9/2020 From April 2020 through September 30, 2020, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships identified a total of 6,880 students who met all eligibility requirements as described above.  We distributed a total of  $3,667,181* in Cares Act Emergency Grants to 3,646* students.  *4/13/21 corrections: was reported as $3,805,510 to 3,738 students, which was cumulative disbursements through 10/9/20 reporting date rather than 9/30/20 quarter end date.  **6/29/22 corrections: reported 3,643 students was typo; updated to correct number.  ***8/31/2022 From July 1, 2020 through September 30, 2020, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships distributed $1,525,195 to 1,921 distinct students.  From May 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020 the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships distributed $2,141,986 to 2,911 distinct students.

1/9/2021 From October 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020, $780,945 in Emergency Grants were provided to students. The total grant funds disbursed to date is $4,586,455 to 4,333 students. A total of 7,032 students have been identified as meeting the eligibility requirements as described above.

4/2/2021 From January 1, 2021 through March 3, 2021, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships identified 138* students who met all eligibility requirements and distributed $71,374 in Emergency Grants to 92* students.  As of March 3, 2021, the entire student emergency grant allocation of $4,657,829 was disbursed to 4,410 students.  A total of 7,152 students have been identified as meeting the eligibility requirements as described above. *6/29/22 corrections: updated to include number of students identified as eligible based on criteria above and the total number of students awarded for the quarter.

Quarterly Financial HEERF Report 3/31/2021

Quarterly Financial HEERF Report 12/31/2020 FINAL

Quarterly Financial HEERF Report – 9/30/2020