Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Allocations for Students

March 16, 2021

 

Dear Students,

I am pleased to share some good news with you today!

As part of the recently passed federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act 2021, also known as Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II), the U.S. Department of Education has allocated a second round of federal funding to help students with emergency costs resulting from the pandemic, such as for tuition, food, housing, health care or child care. 

In total, the California State University system will receive approximately $845 million. Fresno State will receive approximately $52 million, and of that amount, we will award approximately $25 million in financial grants. This is approximately $9 million more than we awarded last spring benefitting over 90% of our students. 

Our goal is to distribute this money as quickly as possible in order to help you continue your educational pursuits without additional barriers. With this award, you are not required to have a completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file with the University, provided you meet Title IV eligibility. As such, you will not have to apply for this funding, and you will receive an automatic grant award.

The grant amount will depend upon whether you are a part-time or full-time student, as well as  your Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). International and undocumented students are not eligible for HEERF; however, the University will utilize other fund sources to support our international and undocumented students.

Beginning the week of April 5, grants will be disbursed to Bank Mobile in the same manner as all refunds to eligible students. 

For more information, such as eligibility requirements and how grant amounts will be determined, please visit the Financial Aid website. Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at financialaid@mail.fresnostate.edu or by calling 559.278.2182. In addition, the office’s website includes a chat function for communicating directly with financial aid personnel.

Please continue to take good care of yourself and remain focused on finishing the spring semester strong. May these financial resources provide you some peace of mind and energize you to continue pursuing your educational goals.

Sincerely,

Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D.
Interim President