Higher Education Emergency Relief Funding

ELIGIBILITY

Can I get a HEERF II grant for the 2021-22 academic year?

• No, HEERF II funding must be used to support students’ cost of attendance and emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus. Students must be enrolled in Spring 2021 and have citizenship verified in order to be eligible for HEERF II funding.

Does the HEERF II grant impact my eligibility for other types of financial aid?

• No, unlike many forms of aid, the HEERF II grant will not have any impact on a student’s financial aid for the current academic year.

If I did not submit a FAFSA for 2020-21, can I still get a HEERF II grant? OR Can I still file a FAFSA and be eligible for a HEERF II grant?

• HEERF II grants will be distributed beginning March 22 to those students with a valid 2020-21 FAFSA on file with the University.
• We encourage students to file a 2020-21 FAFSA to be considered for potential federal emergency relief funding should it become available in the future.

Why did my sibling/roommate/friend get a larger HEERF II grant than I did?

• HEERF II grants are based on individual student cost of attendance and expected family contribution as determined by the 2020-21 FAFSA. 

My parent(s) lost their job, so my FAFSA would now put me in the lowest earning tier. Can I get more emergency aid than my earlier EFC for the year would suggest?

• Students who have had a significant change in their or their family’s financial situation are encouraged to contact One Stop to discuss options for completing a Special Circumstance appeal. This will not have an impact on HEERF II funding but it will allow for a Financial Aid Counselor to review a student’s situation to determine if the student is eligible for other sources of funding support.

DISBURSEMENT

Do I have to apply for HEERF II grants?

• There is no application process to receive HEERF II grants. Eligible students do not have to take any action to receive the funds.

Why did my HEERF II grant not apply towards my outstanding balance I owe to UT?

• The Department of Education stipulates that HEERF II funding must be distributed directly to students and cannot be applied to student accounts by the institution on behalf of the student. Students may choose to apply these funds to their account by making payments as needed.

Why is my HEERF II grant amount lower than the amount of student loans I borrowed for this year?

• The HEERF II grant amount is not directly tied to your loan amount borrowed.

How will I get the funds from my HEERF II grant?

• Students will receive an email from the university and do not have to take any action to receive the funds. Students who have selected e-Refunds will receive grants electronically. All other students will receive a check mailed to their address on file. Checks will likely be mailed the week of March 22.  Students may anticipate checks arriving on or around April 5.

How will I be notified if I receive a HEERF II grant?

• Students will receive an email from the university and do not have to take any action to receive the funds. Grants will be visible to students on their MyUTK account.

IMPLICATIONS

Do I have to document or provide proof about how I used my HEERF II grant funds?

• No, students are not required to provide documentation for how funds are used, but the intent of the funds are to assist you with expenses related to the COVID-19 for Spring 2021.

Do HEERF II grants have to be repaid?

• No, students receiving a one-time HEERF II grant will not have to repay this funding.

Do I have to pay taxes on my HEERF II grant?

• The IRS classifies emergency financial aid grants as qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code and as such they are not included in your gross income.

What if I still owe a balance?

• Any remaining account balance the student still has following the application of their HEERF II funding will still be the responsibility of the student with the same repayment expectations that were in place prior to the funding’s implementation.

I did not receive a HEERF II grant, but I am experiencing financial hardship. 

• The Dean of Students Emergency Fund provides limited, time-sensitive emergency funding for eligible University of Tennessee, Knoxville students experiencing financial hardship. Please note this funding is limited. Please visit the Dean of Students Emergency Fund website for more information.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UT intends to use at least the same amount of funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act from section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSSA Act funding to provide HEERF II Emergency Financial Aid Grants to
1. The total amount of funds UT Knoxville received on March 11, 2021, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $9,629,157.00.
2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSSA Act as of June 30, 2021, is $19,578,255.

• The University elected to add an additional $10,000,000 from the institutional portion of the HEERF II funding to distribute to students in the form of Emergency Aid Block Grants and through the Dean of Students Emergency Fund Application.  The total amount of funding distributed to students is $ 9,949,098

3. The estimated total number of students at UT eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSSA Act is 22,359.

4. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 314(a)(1) of the CRRSSA Act is 4,980 as of June 30, 2021.  The total number of students who received Emergency Financial Aid Grants from the Institutional portion of funding from section 314 (a)(1) of the CRRSSA Act is 8784.  A total of 13764 students were provided HEERFII funding.
5. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows –

• A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for term of disbursement
• Limited to students based on US Citizenship verification.  This requirement results in the exclusion of the following:
  • International students
  • DACA students or Undocumented students
    • • To ensure compliance in distribution the funding was distributed to students with a FAFSA on file at UT. A robust FAFSA Campaign was implemented to both undergraduate and graduate students.

Student Type Prioritization Hierarchy

• Undergraduate, Enrolled Full Time (12+ credit hours)
  • High Need Pell recipients, EFC Range (0 – 5,711)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (5,712 – 14,999)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (14,999 – 30,000)
• Undergraduate, Enrolled Part Time (6 – 11 credit hours)
  • High Need Pell recipients, EFC Range (0 – 5,711)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (5,712 – 14,999)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (14,999 – 24,000)
• Graduate, Enrolled Full Time (9+ credit hours)
  • High Need recipients, EFC Range (0 – 5,711)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (5,712 – 14,999)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (14,999 – 30,000)
• Graduate, Enrolled Part Time (5 – 8 credit hours)
  • High Need recipients, EFC Range (0 – 5,711)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (5,712 – 14,999)
  • Moderate Need, EFC Range (14,999 – 28,000)

6. The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UT to all students concerning the HEERFII grants were sent via University email and published on the University website. Instructions on how to complete our Dean of Students Emergency Fund Application are provided on the UT Student Emergency Fund webpage.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UT intends to use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

• • 1. The total amount of funds UT Knoxville received on April 24, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $9,629,157.00.
    2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of May 22, 2020, is $8,761,975.
    3. The estimated total number of students at UT eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act is 20,224.
    4. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 9,140 as of May 22, 2020.
    5. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows –
       • A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for term of disbursement
       • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
       • Maximum total award per student is $1,800
       • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
         • Student Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students in on-campus housing/meal plans who did not receive university administered pro-rated refund;
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students;
           • Non-Pell eligible undergraduate students with maximum EFC up to 15,000;
           • Graduate students with maximum EFC up to 1,000;
         • Need Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Food;
           • Housing;
           • Educational Technology;
           • Health Care;
           • Child Care;
           • Other (books, transportation, relocation expenses related to COVID-19 disruption, etc).
       • The amount of need type awards is based on UT’s official cost of attendance and monthly allowances as outlined in the chart below.
         

         EXPENSE	EMERGENCY FUND	BLOCK GRANTS
         Child Care	$200
         Course Materials	$100
         Food/Meals	$500	$500
         Medical Expenses	$500
         Housing	$800	$800
         Technology	$200	$200
         Relocation Expenses	$300	$300
         Computer Purchase	$400
         Miscellaneous	$100

    6. The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UT to all students concerning the CARES grants were sent via University email and published on the University website. Instructions on how to complete our Student Emergency CARES Fund Application are provided on the UT Student Emergency Fund application

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UT intends to use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

• • 1. The total amount of funds UT Knoxville received on April 24, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $9,629,157.00.
    2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of July 6, 2020, is $9,517,075.
    3. The estimated total number of students at UT eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act is 20,224.
    4. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 9,689 as of July 6, 2020.
    5. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows –
       • A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for term of disbursement
       • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
       • Maximum total award per student is $1,800
       • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
         • Student Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students in on-campus housing/meal plans who did not receive university administered pro-rated refund;
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students;
           • Non-Pell eligible undergraduate students with maximum EFC up to 15,000;
           • Graduate students with maximum EFC up to 1,000;
         • Need Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Food;
           • Housing;
           • Educational Technology;
           • Health Care;
           • Child Care;
           • Other (books, transportation, relocation expenses related to COVID-19 disruption, etc).
       • The amount of need type awards is based on UT’s official cost of attendance and monthly allowances as outlined in the chart below.
         

         EXPENSE	EMERGENCY FUND	BLOCK GRANTS
         Child Care	$200
         Course Materials	$100
         Food/Meals	$500	$500
         Medical Expenses	$500
         Housing	$800	$800
         Technology	$200	$200
         Relocation Expenses	$300	$300
         Computer Purchase	$400
         Miscellaneous	$100

    6. The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UT to all students concerning the CARES grants were sent via University email and published on the University website. Instructions on how to complete our Student Emergency CARES Fund Application are provided on the UT Student Emergency Fund application

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and gives the assurance that UT intends to use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

• • 1. The total amount of funds UT Knoxville received on April 24, 2020, from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $9,629,157.00.
    2. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of August 19, 2020, is $9,629,157.
    3. The estimated total number of students at UT eligible to participate in programs under section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section 18004(a)(1) of the Cares Act is 20,224.
    4. The total number of students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 9,773 as of August 19, 2020.
    5. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows –
       • A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student for term of disbursement
       • Eligible for funding under a Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
       • Maximum total award per student is $1,800
       • Awards are prioritized based on student type and individual as explained below:
         • Student Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students in on-campus housing/meal plans who did not receive university administered pro-rated refund;
           • Pell eligible undergraduate students;
           • Non-Pell eligible undergraduate students with maximum EFC up to 15,000;
           • Graduate students with maximum EFC up to 1,000;
         • Need Type Prioritization Hierarchy
           • Food;
           • Housing;
           • Educational Technology;
           • Health Care;
           • Child Care;
           • Other (books, transportation, relocation expenses related to COVID-19 disruption, etc).
       • The amount of need type awards is based on UT’s official cost of attendance and monthly allowances as outlined in the chart below.
         

         EXPENSE	EMERGENCY FUND	BLOCK GRANTS
         Child Care	$200
         Course Materials	$100
         Food/Meals	$500	$500
         Medical Expenses	$500
         Housing	$800	$800
         Technology	$200	$200
         Relocation Expenses	$300	$300
         Computer Purchase	$400
         Miscellaneous	$100

    6. The instructions, directions, or guidance provided by UT to all students concerning the CARES grants were sent via University email and published on the University website. Instructions on how to complete our Student Emergency CARES Fund Application are provided on the UT Student Emergency Fund application

UTK HEERF Expenditures for the Period Ending 9.30.20

UTK HEERF Expenditures for the Period Ending 12.31.20

UTK HEERF Expenditures for the Period Ending 3.31.21

UTK HEERF Expenditures for the Period Ending 6.30.21