American Rescue Plan Student Emergency Aid Funding

Student Report

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 - University of South Florida

The University of South Florida (USF) acknowledges it signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and gives the assurance that USF will use the funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

  1. The total amount of funds USF available from the U.S. Department of Education for the American Rescue Plan distribution to students is $52,005,995.

  2. The estimated total number of students at USF eligible to participate in program and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under section (a)(1) of the ARP Act is 29,200.

  3. Amounts distributed:
    • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 4,528 students under section (a)(1) of the ARP Act as of September 30, 2021, is $8,819,458.
    • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 13,152 students under section (a)(1) of the ARP Act from October 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 is $28,771,139.
    • The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to 11,810 students under section (a)(1) of the ARP Act from January 1, 2022 to March 31, 2022 is $14,415,398.

  4. The methods used to determine which and how much students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants are as follows:
    • Currently enrolled degree seeking undergraduate students enrolled half time who demonstrate “exceptional financial need” are given priority in awarding.
    • Students (excluding the USF Health students who were selected by the USF Health Financial Aid Office) who filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and are Pell Grant eligible are given priority.  Subsequent groups of students will be considered for a grant based on their expected family contributions resulting from the FAFSA.
    • Students cannot exceed their full cost of attendance, so only those students who have not had their full cost of attendance met will be considered.  In some cases, spring 2022 student loans will be reduced in order for the student to receive ARP funds for fall 2021.

  5. Students will be notified starting in mid-September 2021 via their USF email address of the opportunity to be considered for funding and will be directed to OASIS to complete a certification of eligibility.