On March 11th, 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, was signed into law which authorized the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III). The HEERF III requirements allow institutions to assist eligible students with all educationally related expenses.
 
Per the Department of Education guidelines, eligibility or receipt of a Pell Grant is not required to receive a grant, however students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants, will be prioritized. Grants may 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

Reporting as of December 31, 2022 

(1) Blackburn University dba Blackburn College has signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurances that the institution will use the applicable amount of funds designated under ARP (HEERF III) (a)(1) and (a)(4) program to provide Emergency Financial Assistance Grants to Students.

(2) The total amount of ARP (HEERF III) funds that Blackburn College has received or will receive from the Department of Education for emergency grants to students is $1,223,244.

(3) The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under ARP (HEERF III) (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs as of December 31, 2022 is $1,223,244.

(4) The total number of students eligible under Title IV making them eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the ARP (HEERF III) is approximately 350.

(5) The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to Students under the ARP (HEERF III) programs is one.

(6) The college distributed these funds based on each student’s estimated family contribution and other specific student needs.

(7) Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants is below.

Distribution – December 2021

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS INCLUDED WITH CHECKS:

The enclosed check is being provided to you as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Under this Act, the federal government provided funding for direct grants to students of Blackburn College. In order to comply with the government’s request that these funds be distributed based on student need, we are distributing greater amounts to students with greater financial need. The Department of Education states that these payments “may be used for any portion of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.”

LETTER TO STUDENTS WITH BALANCE DUE:

The enclosed check is being provided to you as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Under this Act, the federal government provided funding for direct grants to students of Blackburn College. In order to comply with the government’s request that these funds be distributed based on student need, we are distributing greater amounts to students with greater financial need. The Department of Education states that these payments “may be used for any portion of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.”

Guidelines for these grants require the College to make these funds directly available to you instead of applying them to your student account. As noted above, however, one of the allowable uses of the funds is to pay for cost of attendance (tuition, room, board, books, etc). We have included a statement of account in this envelope; if you have a balance due to the College, please see Chris Beck in the Business Office to discuss paying this balance, including opportunities to utilize the ARP funds to cover your cost of attendance.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Subject: SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – ARP Stimulus Checks

Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the federal government has provided funding for direct grants to students of Blackburn College. This is what is referred to by some as HEERF 3 or third round of funding by the federal government to assist students.  In order to facilitate social distancing, we are spacing out the distribution of the checks.

Students should pick up their checks at the Business Office according to the following schedule:

Last names beginning with:
A – G:  Wednesday, December 8
H – M:  Thursday, December 9
N – Z:  Friday, December 10

Checks remaining in the Business Office after Friday, December 17th, will be mailed on
Monday, December 20th.

In addition, the ARP provided Blackburn a total of $1,329,187 for the purpose of Institutional Aid. The links below provide detailed reporting on the use of those funds.

Distribution – December 2022

MESSAGE TO STUDENTS INCLUDED WITH CHECKS:

The enclosed check is being provided to you as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.  Under this Act, the federal government provided funding for direct grants to students of Blackburn College.  In order to comply with the government’s request that these funds be distributed based on student need, we are distributing greater amounts to students with greater financial need. The check amounts range from $25 to $145. The Department of Education states that these payments “may be used for any portion of the student’s cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.” 

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Subject:  SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – ARP Stimulus Checks

Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the federal government has provided funding for direct grants to students of Blackburn College. This is what is referred to by some as HEERF 3 or third round of funding by the federal government to assist students.

In order to comply with the government’s request that these funds be distributed based on student need, we are distributing greater amounts to students with greater financial need. The check amounts range from $25 to $145.

Students can pick up checks from their student mailbox located in DCC.  

Please note: This check is not a distribution of excess funds from student accounts. Students receiving the check may still owe funds to Blackburn.