The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) is a federal program that provides financial assistance to institutions of higher education and students affected https://citeref.com/ by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020, and has since been funded by three additional pieces of legislation: the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), the American Rescue Plan (ARP), and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
HEERF funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Providing financial aid to students, such as grants, scholarships, and work-study assistance
- Supporting student mental health and well-being services
- Covering costs associated with remote learning, such as technology and internet access
- Mitigating the financial impact of the pandemic on institutions of higher education, such as covering lost revenue from tuition and fees
To date, HEERF has provided over $100 billion in funding to institutions of higher education and students. The program has been credited with helping to keep students enrolled in college and mitigating the financial hardship caused by the pandemic.
Impact on Students
A study by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators found that HEERF grants helped to keep over 2 million students enrolled in college who would have otherwise dropped out. The study also found that HEERF grants helped to reduce the amount of student debt that students accumulated.
In addition to financial assistance, HEERF funds have also been used to support student mental health and well-being services. The pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of students, and HEERF funds have helped to provide much-needed support.
Impact on Institutions of Higher Education
HEERF funds have also helped institutions of higher education to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic. The funds have been used to cover lost revenue from tuition and fees, as well as to support essential operations such as student financial aid and academic support services.
A study by the American Council on Education found that HEERF funds helped to prevent over 1,000 college closures. The study also found that HEERF funds helped to keep over 1 million jobs in higher education.
Conclusion
HEERF has been a vital lifeline for students and institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has helped to keep students enrolled in college, mitigate the financial hardship caused by the pandemic, and support the essential operations of institutions of higher education.
The future of HEERF is uncertain. The program is currently funded through the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. However, there is a possibility that the program could be extended or made permanent.
If HEERF is extended or made permanent, it would continue to provide much-needed support to students and institutions of higher education. The program would help to ensure that students can continue their education and that institutions of higher education can remain open and accessible.