Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is a //www.skygeneration.ca/ federal grant program that was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 to help institutions of higher education (IHEs) respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has been reauthorized and amended several times since then, most recently by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).

HEERF grants can be used to cover a wide range of expenses, including:

• Financial assistance to students for tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses related to the cost of attendance
• Emergency financial aid to students for food, housing, healthcare, and other essential needs
• Technology costs associated with remote learning
• Faculty and staff training and support
• Institutional operating costs
• Public health measures, such as testing, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine

IHEs are required to use HEERF funds to prioritize student financial aid, but they have some flexibility in how they allocate the remaining funds. For example, IHEs can use HEERF funds to support students who are not eligible for federal financial aid, such as undocumented students and international students. IHEs can also use HEERF funds to cover the costs of implementing COVID-19 safety measures, such as plexiglass barriers and social distancing protocols.

HEERF has been a critical lifeline for IHEs and their students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has helped to keep students enrolled in school and has provided much-needed financial assistance to students and their families.

Here are some examples of how HEERF funds have been used by IHEs:

• One IHE used HEERF funds to provide laptops and other technology devices to students who did not have access to the technology they needed for remote learning.
• Another IHE used HEERF funds to establish a food bank for students who were experiencing food insecurity due to the pandemic.
• A third IHE used HEERF funds to hire additional staff to support students with mental health and wellness needs.

HEERF has made a significant impact on the lives of students and their families. The program has helped to ensure that students have access to the resources they need to succeed in school, even during a global pandemic.

Conclusion

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is a critical federal grant program that has helped institutions of higher education (IHEs) and their students to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. HEERF grants can be used to cover a wide range of expenses, including financial assistance to students, technology costs, faculty and staff training, and institutional operating costs. HEERF has been a lifeline for IHEs and their students during the pandemic, and it has made a significant impact on the lives of students and their families.