Available Grants

American Rescue Plan Act Funds Available to Assist Students

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the ARP Act?

    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.

  • Who is eligible for a HEERF III Grant?

    Summer 2021 

    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).

    Fall 2021

    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).

    Spring 2022

    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

    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).

  • Who is not eligible for HEERF III funds?

    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.

    Apply for Student Emergency Funds

  • How do I apply for the HEERF III grant?

    There is no application for HEERF III. If you meet all eligibility requirements, you will automatically be considered for the award.

  • I am not enrolled at JJC during the current semester. Am I eligible?

    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.

  • I was enrolled, but I have now withdrawn from all of my courses. Am I eligible?

    No. You must be enrolled during the applicable semester at the time of awarding to qualify for HEERF III funds.

  • What constitutes eligible expenses to qualify for HEERF III emergency funding?

    Unlike HEERF I funds, HEERF III awards do not have to relate to the disruption of campus operations due to Coronavirus.

    Eligible expenses include:

    • Any component of the student's cost of attendance (COA); or
    • Emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as but. not limited to tuition, food, housing, health care, mental health care or child care

  • How do I find out if I received a HEERF III grant?

    Summer 2021 

    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.

    Fall 2021

    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.

    Spring 2022 

    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.

    Fall 2022

    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.

  • Do I have to repay a HEERF III grant?

    The Federal Emergency Aid Grant funds are designed to be a grant, not a loan. Therefore, repayment is not required.

  • How will JJC disburse the HEERF III funds?

    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.

  • How much money is available for each applicant?

    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.

    • Need Priority Group #1: Students who have a $0 EFC and a Pell or MAP Alternative Application award. Students in this group will receive the highest HEERF III award.
    • Need Priority Group #2: Students who have greater than $0 EFC and a Pell or MAP Alternative Application award. Students in this group will receive a lower HEERF III award.
    • Need Priority Group #3: Students who have a FAFSA or MAP Alternative Application on file, a valid EFC, but no Pell or MAP Alternative Application award. Students in this group will receive the lowest HEERF III award.
      • A student may not have a Pell or MAP Alternative Application award for a variety of reasons, such as they never completed the verification process, they have too high of an EFC to qualify for Pell or MAP, or they’ve exhausted their Pell lifetime eligibility. Final HEERF III award amounts


    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.

  • I already received the HEERF I grant, HEERF II or HEERF III grant in a previous semester. Am I still eligible?

    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.

  • How can I use the money?

    The HEERF III grant should be used for:

    • Any component of the student's cost of attendance (COA); or
    • Emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as but not limited to tuition, food, housing, health care, mental health care, or child care

  • Can I apply the funds I received from the HEERF III grant to outstanding charges on my student account?

    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.

  • When will I receive my HEERF III grant?

    Summer 2021

    Eligibility will be evaluated after Aug. 2, 2021. Disbursements will begin in early August.

    Fall 2021

    Eligibility will be evaluated after Oct. 28, 2021. Disbursements will begin in early November.

    Spring 2022

    Eligibility will be evaluated after April 4, 2022. Disbursements will begin in mid-April. 

    Fall 2022

    Eligibility will be evaluated after Oct. 31, 2022. Disbursements will begin in early November.

    Direct Deposit

    Direct deposit is encouraged. 

    Instructions for Direct Deposit

  • Will I receive the HEERF III grant even if I owe JJC money?

    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.

  • I completed my FAFSA, but was not eligible to receive Pell or MAP Alternative Application grants. Am I still eligible for HEERF III grant funds?

    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.

  • Who do I contact if I have questions?

    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.