American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021. The ARP established additional funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) to address needs directly related to the coronavirus.
About the ARP – HEERF III Grants
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College received the following supplemental grants from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III):
• Student Portion - $392,506, which is designated to provide direct financial aid grants to students
• Institutional Portion - $385,155, which may be used to defray expenses associated with the coronavirus, carry out student support activities that address needs related to the coronavirus; and make additional financial aid grants to students.
ARP – HEERF III Student Grant Information
Similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act with HEERF I & II funds, the ARP - HEERF III funds are distributed as grants with appropriate use stipulations. The ARP student grants must be used to cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. Similar to CRRSAA, the ARP requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell grants, and authorizes grants to students exclusively enrolled in distance education.
Eligibility
Our goal is to distribute the ARP student grants as widely and equitably as possible while prioritizing students with the greatest need. We recognize that all of our students have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and have faced financial challenges.
To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, other DREAMers, and similar undocumented students.
• Obtained a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, with transcripts on file with LCOOC. This requirement may be waived for students admitted to special programs, such as native studies.
• Must use the ARP student grant to cover expenses from any component of the student’s cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.
• Be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours as of March 15, 2021. Students who have completely withdrawn or stopped attending all of their classes before March 15, 2021 are not eligible for a ARP student grant.
• Dual enrolled high school students are not eligible for funding.
Award Amounts
LCOOC will calculate awards based on student enrollment status as of June 15, 2021. LCOOC is using a 2-tier approach to prioritize students with exceptional financial need based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA application. Those students without a current or no FAFSA application on file will be considered as greater than $1 EFC. If after the HEERF III distribution is made a student desires to fill out a FAFSA application which would change their EFC the College may determine a supplemental financial award is necessary. (Note: The award of any supplemental financial award after the initial distribution was made is at the sole discretion of the College and subject to funds being available to make such supplemental award.)
Application Process
To ease the burden on students and distribute these funds more quickly, an application will not be required. LCOOC has identified which students meet the eligibility requirements and will notify them by email.
Checks will be issued and mailed to the student address on file. By accepting the payment, students are certifying that they will use the ARP student grant to cover expenses from any component of their cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.
Students will receive this funding directly unless the student has given written, affirmative consent to apply the grant toward the student’s account balance.
Check Distribution Dates
LCOOC will mail checks to students on as soon as reasonably possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
• Will I have to repay the ARP student grant I receive?
o No. These are grants and do not have to be paid back.
• Will this funding affect my financial aid in the future?
o No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.
• What if I owe LCOOC for tuition and/or other fees?
o Students may complete an ARP Student Grant Consent Form to have the funds applied toward their student account balance or they may receive the full amount of the grant directly by check. Any outstanding balance owed to LCOOC will remain the responsibility of the student.
• I think I am eligible but did not receive an ARP student grant. Who should I contact?
o Please contact the Financial Aid Staff at 715-634-4790 or email .
• Do I need to keep receipts of how these funds were spent?
o No. LCOOC will not require receipts or other documentation of how you spent the funds, but you are required to use the ARP student grant to cover expenses from any component of your cost of attendance and/or emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.
• Is this funding taxable?
o No, the ARP student grant is not taxable income.
• Will these funds be reported on the 1098-T?
o No. The IRS is not requiring that ARP student grants be reported on the 1098-T
Other Resources
• Department of Education ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund HEERF III: Student Aid Portion for <br> Public and Nonprofit Institutions (a)(1) (ed.gov)
• National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) Reference Page
• NACUBO – Third Round of Emergency Grants to Students will not Require 1098-T Reporting IRS Revises 1098-T Guidance on Emergency Grants to Students (nacubo.org)
