COVID-19 Updates
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Required Disclosure and Reporting
Emergency Federal Grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)
Updated 12/08/2021
Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, NJIT received $12,191,985 in emergency federal funds to make available to students to be used for any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care or childcare. Such emergencies include costs incurred as of the March 13, 2020, the date of the declaration of a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The University will implement the distribution of funds in phases, where Phase I begins with those who demonstrate need using the 2021-2022 FAFSA EFC, and in Phase II the distribution will encompass all eligible students (including international, DACA, and any other statuses). These funds are required to be prioritized to students with exceptional need, as defined by NJIT as those with a Federal Pell-Grant eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or non- Pell-eligible EFC students who are recipients of specific need-based funds (Federal SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, NJ Tuition Aid Grant, or NJ Educational Opportunity Fund). For Phase II students (international, DACA, and other non-citizens), need is determined by students completing the application and demonstrating how finances changed in the household such that contributed to their need (such as a loss of job, illness, or death of a family member, or other emergencies).
Application:
1. US citizens or FAFSA filers: Emergency Federal Grants Request Form (To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser)
2. International, DACA and other non-citizens: Emergency Federal Grants for Non-Citizens
Policy: Emergency Federal Grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)
FAQs: Emergency Federal Grants (ARP) FAQs
Special Circumstances: Appeal for Income Reduction
Emergency Federal Grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)
Under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, NJIT received $12,191,985 in emergency federal funds to make available to students to be used for any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care or childcare. Such emergencies include costs incurred as of the March 13, 2020, the date of the declaration of a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak. The University will implement the distribution of funds in phases, where Phase I begins with those who demonstrate need and in Phase II the distribution will encompass all eligible students (including international, DACA, and any other statuses). These funds are required to be prioritized to students with exceptional need, as defined by NJIT as those with a Federal Pell-Grant eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or non- Pell-eligible EFC students who are recipients of specific need-based funds (Federal SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, NJ Tuition Aid Grant, or NJ Educational Opportunity Fund).
Application: Emergency Federal Grants Request Form (To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser)
Policy: Emergency Federal Grants under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP)
FAQs: Emergency Federal Grants (ARP) FAQs
Emergency Federal Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act and Education Stabilization Fund
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, the $82 billion Education Stabilization Fund incorporates emergency funds for student grants similar to the CARES Act grant. The allowable uses of funds are more flexible than the CARES Act grant as it allows funds to be distributed to even those enrolled exclusively in distance education and students in continuing education and non-credit programs. Eligible students are those NJIT students with emergency expenses and with the highest need who are US citizens or eligible non-citizens. To measure need, filing the 2020-2021 FAFSA is recommended, but a FAFSA is not required. If no FAFSA is on file, students must attest of their need on their applications. For the first time, under this new legislation, emergency funds can be used to pay down student tuition balances, and for other emergency expenses incurred on or after March 13, 2020 pandemic date. Such expenses include any component of the cost of attendance such as food, housing, transportation, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
Application: Emergency Federal Grants Request Form (To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser)
FAQs: Emergency Financial Aid Grants (CRRSA) FAQs
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
As per updated guidance from the Department of Education received on April 21, 2020, Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. Such students are those that have filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and met the federal aid eligibility criteria. The criteria to participate in federal programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. Further, students who were exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020, the date the President declared a national emergency due to COVID-19 outbreak are not eligible for emergency financial aid grants. Finally, the CARES Act requires institutions to provide the emergency financial aid grants directly to students to pay for emergency expenses which include items in the student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. Such expenses must be related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, and therefore, grants cannot be used to satisfy students’ outstanding account balances.
(updated April 21, 2020)
Application: Emergency Federal Grants Request Form (To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser)
Policy: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Policy
FAQs: CARES III Act Emergency Grants Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Webinar Presentation: CARES Information Powerpoint
COVID-19 Financial Aid Announcement: April 17, 2020
During these challenging and unprecedented times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire NJIT community is committed to addressing the needs of our students. As the coronavirus challenges continue we recognize how it creates profound financial burdens to students affected by COVID-19. Rest assured that NJIT community is committed to our students as every decision we make puts student first. Some of the resources available was made possible by the recent law known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Under this law, Emergency Grants are available for students with unforeseen expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus. Other types of relief include Federal Work-Study jobs impacted by COVID-19 where on-campus employment may not be possible, but under certain conditions, students can continue to get paid. As more guidance is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, this webpage will be updated, so please regularly check back.
To avoid any issues accessing the application, make sure to close all email accounts and only have NJIT email account open in the browser.
Application: Emergency Federal Grants Request Form
Policy: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Policy
Fund Delivery and Timeline:
The Emergency Grant Committee will begin to review applications starting Friday, April 24th to May 15th. The funds will be released every Wednesday starting April 29 until May 20th (assuming NJIT receives the funds from the Department of Education). After May 20th, the committee will meet every other Friday and funds will be released every other Wednesday.