Student Emergency Aid

HEERF III – American Rescue Plan (ARP) Student Emergency Grants

Eligibility Requirements set forth by ARP, the Department of Education, and NOVA:

Funding provided to NOVA under HEERF III – ARP is available only to current NOVA students and can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Students also must meet the following criteria to qualify for ARP Student Emergency Grants:

  • Students must be enrolled in a program of study.
  • Students must have graduated from high school, completed homeschooling, or passed the GED.

View Care Acts Reports

HEERF III – ARP Student Emergency Grants

Eligibility Requirements set forth by ARP, The Department of Education, and NOVA:

Funding provided to NOVA under ARP is available only to current NOVA students and can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Students must also meet the following criteria to qualify for ARP Student Emergency Grants:

  • Students must be enrolled in a program of study and registered for and attending classes at the time of the award.
  • Students must have graduated from high school, completed homeschooling or passed the GED.

Eligible Expenses

  • Tuition
  • Housing
  • Groceries
  • Technology for Remote Learning
  • Books and Supplies
  • Childcare
  • Healthcare

FAQ

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed March 11, 2021. Institutions receiving funds must use the student portion for grants to students, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.  NOVA received $38,959,500 for ARP student emergency grants.

ARP provides Student Emergency Grants, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. Under ARP, institutions are directed to prioritize students with exceptional needs, such as students receiving Pell Grants. DACA, undocumented, and F-1 students may also receive ARP Emergency Grants. Still, all students must be eligible and program placed and must have completed high school, completed homeschooling, or passed the GED. NOVA must prioritize students with need determined, domestic students (#4 above), and F-1 students. Recipients must be enrolled in a program of study and attending a minimum of one credit for Fall 2022.

No Emergency Grant Application is required for Fall 2022. Eligible students will automatically be considered for emergency grants until funds are exhausted.

You may spend the money on any component of the student cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare.

First disbursements will not be released until aid adjustments are completed after the term census (i.e. the last day to drop with a tuition refund for the longest session of the fall, spring, or summer term).  Awards will be made at three specific times during the term as students are determined to be eligible.

  • After the 15-week term census date
  • After the second 8-week census date for the fall term
  • At end of the term if funds are still available

Your funds arrive most promptly if you select direct deposit as your NOVA refund choice. Paper checks are dependent upon mail service. Your address in MyNOVA must be correct.

Upon approval of your Student Emergency Grant application, grant funds will be released to you based on your selected refund preference at NOVA. If you have not selected a refund preference, funds will be released to you by paper check. Your address in MyNOVA must be correct.

No, but a larger percentage will be, including DACA, undocumented and F-1 students.  Those already eligible for HEERF I and II included the following:

  • U.S. national (includes natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island)
  • U.S. permanent resident who has an I-151, I-551 or I-551C (Permanent Resident Card)

You could be eligible if you’re not in one of these categories, but you have an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) showing one of the following designations:

  • “Refugee”
  • “Asylum Granted”
  • “Cuban-Haitian Entrant, Status Pending”
  • “Conditional Entrant” (valid only if issued before April 1, 1980)
  • “Parolee” (You must be paroled into the United States for at least one year, and you must be able to provide evidence from the USCIS that you are in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and that you intend to become a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.)

Those not eligible include, but are not limited to, individuals in the U.S. for other governments, for work (B1), visiting (B2) or other temporary periods.   Examples include a J1 or J2 exchange visitor visa, or G series visa (pertaining to international organizations); all are not eligible for HEERF III Grants.

No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.

Most students will qualify for ARP. All students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA to also determine eligibility for federal, state, VCCS, and institutional funds. Additional resources are available through the Financial Stability and Advocacy Centers at 703.323.3450 or financialstability@nvcc.edu.

NOVA Financial Aid is here to help answer your questions. Contact the 24-Hour Student Support Center at 855-323-3199 or finaidsupport@nvcc.edu.