The American Rescue Plan Act (ARP Act), signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021, provides broad-based economic relief in response to the COVID-19 national pandemic. As part of the ARP Act, institutions of higher education have been provided funds to assist them and their students. Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
The ARP Act is federal legislation which provides a variety of financial support to individuals and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ARP Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) to provide emergency financial aid grants. One part of this federal program allocates money to Joliet Junior College, and a portion of that allocation will be awarded to students.
Students who are 1) enrolled in Summer 2021 undergraduate course(s) (excluding dual credit), 2) have completed a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or 2020-2021 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act), and 3) have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) assigned by the Department of Education or Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Students who are 1) enrolled in Fall 2021 undergraduate course(s) (excluding dual credit), 2) have completed a 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or 2021-2022 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act), and 3) have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) assigned by the Department of Education or Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Students who are 1) enrolled in Spring 2022 undergraduate course(s) (excluding dual credit), 2) have completed a 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or 2021-2022 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act), and 3) have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) assigned by the Department of Education or Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Fall 2022 Students who are 1) enrolled in Fall 2022 undergraduate course(s) (excluding dual credit), 2) have completed a 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or 2022-2023 Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act), and 3) have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) assigned by the Department of Education or Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).
Enrolled students who have not completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (RISE Act) for the applicable year or who do not have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) assigned by the Department of Education or Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) are not eligible for HEERF III funds. Emergency funds may be available for these students through the JJC Student Emergency Fund instead.
There is no application for HEERF III. If you meet all eligibility requirements, you will automatically be considered for the award.
HEERF III will be awarded in Summer 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022 and Fall 2022. You must be enrolled during the applicable semester at the time of awarding to be eligible for HEERF III awards.
No. You must be enrolled during the applicable semester at the time of awarding to qualify for HEERF III funds.
Unlike HEERF I funds, HEERF III awards do not have to relate to the disruption of campus operations due to Coronavirus.
Eligible expenses include:
Eligibility will be evaluated after August 2, 2021. Notifications of awards will be emailed beginning in early August. The email will instruct you how to view your 2020-2021 grant on Financial Aid Self-Service.
Eligibility will be evaluated after October 28, 2021. Notifications of awards will be emailed beginning in early November. The email will instruct you how to view your 2021-2022 grant on Financial Aid Self-Service.
Eligibility will be evaluated after April 4, 2022. Notifications of awards will be emailed beginning in mid-April. The email will instruct you how to view your 2021-2022 grant on Financial Aid Self-Service.
Eligibility will be evaluated after Oct. 31, 2022. Notifications of awards will be emailed beginning in early November. The email will instruct you how to view your 2022-2023 grant on Financial Aid Self-Service.
The Federal Emergency Aid Grant funds are designed to be a grant, not a loan. Therefore, repayment is not required.
Enrolled students will automatically be considered for the grant. Enrollment, eligibility and need will be evaluated at the time of awarding. Students will be notified by their JJC student email if they are awarded. Awards will be viewable through Financial Aid Self-Service. Funds will be issued by the Student Accounts & Payments Office.
Direct deposit is encouraged.
Instructions for Direct Deposit
If you would like to request that the HEERF III funds be applied to your outstanding balance, additional authorization is required. Complete the Opt-In form.
The amount of HEERF III funding that institutions received varied based on the Department of Education’s allocation formula. That means the amount of the emergency grants at Joliet Junior College will not be the same as at other colleges. Each institution is required to prioritize grants to students demonstrating exceptional financial need and must develop its own strategy for disbursing the funds to eligible students enrolled at their campus. Please be aware that these funds are limited and are not guaranteed.
At JJC, HEERF III eligible students will be categorized into three Need Priority Groups.
Final HEERF III award amounts for each Need Priority Group will be determined based on the number of students in each group and the total allocation of HEERF III funds for the semester.
Yes. Students who were already awarded a HEERF I, HEERF II or HEERF III grant in a previous semester may be eligible to receive additional HEERF III funds. Eligibility and enrollment for the current semester will be reviewed at the time of awarding.
The HEERF III grant should be used for:
If you would like to request that the HEERF III funds be applied to your outstanding balance, additional authorization is required. Complete the Opt-In form.
Eligibility will be evaluated after Aug. 2, 2021. Disbursements will begin in early August.
Eligibility will be evaluated after Oct. 28, 2021. Disbursements will begin in early November.
Eligibility will be evaluated after April 4, 2022. Disbursements will begin in mid-April.
Eligibility will be evaluated after Oct. 31, 2022. Disbursements will begin in early November.
Direct deposit is encouraged.
Yes. If you are eligible for these emergency grants, you will receive the money even if you have current financial holds or owe JJC money.
If you would like to request that the HEERF III funds be applied to your outstanding balance, additional authorization is required. Complete the Opt-In form.
Yes, assuming you meet all other eligibility criteria as well. Just because you were not eligible for the Pell or MAP Alternative Application grant does not mean that you will not be eligible for HEERF III funds.
For general questions about the emergency grants, email comcenter@jjc.edu.
For questions about your eligibility for HEERF III grants, email finaid@jjc.edu.
For questions about the disbursement itself, or direct deposit, email account.payments@jjc.edu.
