American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021 (Pub. L. 117-2). ARP Section 2003(a)(1) provided $39.6 billion for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), to support institutions of higher education. ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) was allocated $20,461,718 through ARP to provide emergency grants to EMU students and $19,851,592 for institutional relief to EMU. EMU has allocated 100% of the $20,461,718 to students in the form of emergency relief grants as federally mandated.

Reporting Requirements for ARP Funding for Students

The following information must appear in a format and location that is easily accessible to the public 30 days after the date when the institution received its allocation under 2003(a)(1) and then updated every to every calendar quarter thereafter. 

  1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, all funds allocated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants received under the ARP to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

As of June 30, 2022, Eastern Michigan University has distributed 100% ($20,461,718) of ARP funds allocated for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  1. The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Eastern Michigan University received $20,461,718 from ARP for the purposes of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for students.

  1. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP as of the date of submission.

Eastern Michigan University has distributed $20,461,718 of Federal funds in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students as of June 30, 2022.

  1. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under ARP.

Eastern Michigan University has distributed Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 8,870 students.

  1. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under ARP.

Block Grants

Fall 2021

ARP Block Emergency Relief Grants were provided to students with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or lower from a valid 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with EMU enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester. Block Emergency Grant amounts ranging from $150 - $1,200 were determined based on an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range with priority given to students who demonstrated exceptional financial need such as undergraduate students who receive Pell grants.

Winter 2022

ARP Block Emergency Grants were provided to students receiving federal student aid while enrolled for the Winter 2022 semester. Block Emergency Grant amounts ranging from $150-$1,500 were determined based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) range from a valid 2021-22 FAFSA on file with EMU. 

Emergency Relief Funds

The application to Request Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 is no longer available.

  1. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Block Grants

EMU notified 8,949 students via an email to their EMU email account indicating the amount of emergency grant awarded and instructions to complete an electronic consent form indicating their preference to receive the emergency grant as a direct payment to their Eagle OneCard based on their refund preference setup in BankMobile OR as payment toward their Fall 2021 or Winter 2022 semester balance.

Institutional Relief and Title III Funding

In addition to the Student Relief Funds, Eastern Michigan University has received $19,851,592 in ARP funding designated for Institutional Relief under Section 2003(a)(1); and 2) Funds in the amount of $1,772,855 made available through additional awards to Title III eligible institutions (Section 2003(a)(1)).  Like the disruption to our students, the disruption to EMU’s delivery of instruction and operations extends beyond the initial disruption in March 2020.

ARP Section 2003(a)(1) Institutional Relief Funds

Eastern Michigan University is utilizing its Institutional Relief Funds in a manner consistent with the Certification Agreement it has with the U.S. Department of Education, and ARP by directing it to costs associated with the significant change in delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.

ARP Section 2003(a)(1) Title III Eligible Institutions

Section ARP Section 2003(a)(1) of the ARP provides additional awards under Title III, Part A of the Higher Education Act of 1965.  EMU is Title III eligible and has entered into a Certification Agreement with the U.S. Department of Education for an additional $1,772,855.  These Section 2003(a)(1) awards are made in addition to the 2003(a)(1) awards for Student Emergency Relief and Institutional Relief and can be used to address any need related to coronavirus.  Eligibility under Title III, Part A – Strengthening Institutions of the HEA Act indicates that EMU has fewer resources than more than half of the other four-year public universities and colleges in the U.S.  As such, and consistent with 2003(a)(1), EMU is replacing lost revenue due to the disruption of on-campus housing because of the coronavirus pandemic with  2003(a)(1) funds.

EMU’s Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for EMU’s Section 18004(1) Institutional Relief Funds, and 18002(a)(2) Eligible Title III Institutions can be found below: