HEERF I

The Federal CARES Act established Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) for students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses due to a temporary hardship related to COVID-19.  

Due to the fluid and rapidly evolving nature of the response to COVID-19, criteria and covered expenses may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis as Student Financial Assistance seeks to assist students navigating unique hardships related to COVID-19.  Emergency funds will be awarded to qualifying students based on the eligibility criteria and processed as outlined below. Emergency funds amounts vary and are on a case-by-case basis. As of October 13, 2020, all funding has been expended.

 STUDENT ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 

  1. Have been an on-campus undergraduate or graduate degree-seeking student at the start of the spring 2020 term. Students that were originally enrolled in distance education or all online courses prior to March 13th are not eligible to receive these funds
  2. Have a completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the most current academic year of enrollment.
  3. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements. More details can be found in our Policies and Procedures.
  4. Have been enrolled in the spring 2020. Priority awarding will be given to students that were enrolled at least half time in their respective program.
  5. Students must have incurred the expense as a result of campus operations disruptions due to the COVID-19 circumstances.
ELIGIBLE EXPENSES FOR FEDERAL CARES ACT EMERGENCY FUNDS*

Examples of unforeseen expenses that a student incurred as result of COVID-19 circumstances for which the Federal CARES Act Emergency Funds may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Food insecurity;
  • Additional housing expenses for students who moved out of a university residential hall to new or temporary housing;
  • Emergency temporary housing for students who find themselves homeless or unsafe in their current dwelling;
  • Additional course materials expenses;
  • Additional technology expenses;
  • Additional travel or moving expenses for students who moved out of a university residential hall to the student’s home or temporary housing;
  • Healthcare costs, including medical treatment/medication that insurance will not cover;
  • Child care expenses.

*Emergency funds are awarded on a one-time basis and are not renewable. These funds cannot replace loss of income/job due to COVID-19. However, these funds can be used to fund any expenses listed above that you may have incurred after the loss of income/job. CARES Act funding for Missouri S&T is limited so you may not receive the full amount of funds you request. A student may apply more than once, if new unforeseen expenses are incurred.

 

About the funding

Want to learn more about the funding for the HEERF I Emergency Grants? Regular information is updated on the funding, awarding and number of students receiving awards.

About the Funding

FAQ

Awards will be processed within 2 weeks of application. After the application is reviewed, the student will receive a message via their S&T email account notifying them of the outcome. Award amount decisions cannot be  appealed. 

Emergency aid funds will be paid directly to the student's account and processed as a refund.  If a student has direct deposit, the funds will be sent directly to the student's bank account. If no direct deposit is established, a check will be issued and may delay when the student receives the funds due to processing. Information on setting up direct deposit can be found on the Cashier's website.

As emergency aid funds are given directly to the student, it does not cover any balance that might still remain on the student's account. It is the student's responsibility to still pay any remaining balance that might exist. 

Supporting documentation (receipts) may be requested for certain expenses in order to help approve appropriate funds.  These expenses must be the result of the COVID-19 disruptions of campus operations.  The dates on the supporting documentation should coincide with the timing of the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Student Financial Assistance will contact the student requesting any necessary documentation and students should not submit documents unless requested.

Examples of supporting documentation that may be requested for emergency funds may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Housing: Lease or rental agreement, utility bills
  • Travel:  Plane ticket, rental truck
  • Course Materials:  Store receipts
  • Technology:  Laptop/computer, internet connection
  • Healthcare costs:  Procedures, doctor appointments, medication costs that insurance will not cover
  • Child Care Expenses:  Copy of agreement/receipt outlining costs

Supporting documents may be submitted to Student Financial Assistance office through the Secure File Upload in Joe'SS. To upload documents, please select the "CARES Act Documents" as the document type in the Secure File Upload. Additional information on how to use the Secure File Upload can be found on our website.

SECURE FILE UPLOAD

CARES Act funds are one-time grants specific to expenses resulting COVID-19 disruption of campus operations. The funds cannot be counted as part of your gross income or for tax credits. More information is available on the IRS website.

If you or your parent/legal guardians (or spouse for an independent student) have lost your job or income as a result of COVID-19, we encourage you to reach out to our office regarding a possible Special Circumstance review for the FAFSA. 

Care Management Services is also available for students and offer a number of services:

  • Help managing complex needs
  • Connection to resources and funding options
  • Solution-focused problem solving including concerns with well-being, academic, employment, emergency needs, etc.  
  • Assistance navigating processes or procedures
  • Coordination and follow-up support   

You can connect with Care Management to schedule a specific consultation time by contacting cm@mst.edu

If you are concerned about another student, please refer them to UCARE at https://go.mst.edu/ucare-report 

FAQ

Eligible students are notified to apply for emergency grants via their S&T email account. Awards will be processed within 2 weeks of each application round. After the application is reviewed, the student will receive a message via their S&T email account notifying them of the outcome. Award amount decisions cannot be  appealed. 

Emergency aid funds will be paid directly to the student's account. If the student is eligible for a refund, the Cashier's office will process the refund to be sent to the student. If a student has direct deposit, the funds will be sent directly to the student's bank account. If no direct deposit is established, a check will be issued and may delay when the student receives the funds due to processing. Information on setting up direct deposit can be found on the Cashier's website.

Supporting documentation (receipts) may be requested for certain expenses in order to help approve appropriate funds. Student Financial Assistance will contact the student requesting any necessary documentation and students should not submit documents unless requested.

HEERF funds are one-time grants specific to expenses resulting from COVID-19. The funds cannot be counted as part of your gross income or for tax credits. More information is available on the IRS website.

If you or your parent/legal guardians (or spouse for an independent student) have lost your job or income as a result of COVID-19, we encourage you to reach out to our office regarding a possible Special Circumstance review for the FAFSA. 

Care Management Services is also available for students and offer a number of services:

  • Help managing complex needs
  • Connection to resources and funding options
  • Solution-focused problem solving including concerns with well-being, academic, employment, emergency needs, etc.  
  • Assistance navigating processes or procedures
  • Coordination and follow-up support   

You can connect with Care Management to schedule a specific consultation time by contacting cm@mst.edu

If you are concerned about another student, please refer them to UCARE at https://go.mst.edu/ucare-report