American Rescue Plan (ARP)

The Higher Education Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing 39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Northwestern State University has disturbed funds through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to continue supporting students who have an exceptional need due to COVID-19.

This year, NSU has been awarded an additional $10.5 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to continue to support our students due to COVID-19.

Students may use the grants toward:

• Any component of their cost of attendance
• Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as: tuition; food; housing; health care (including mental); childcare

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be enrolled for the Fall 2021 semester as of September 30, 2021
• All regularly admitted students to the university beyond the Preparatory (High School Dual Enrollment) classification (this does not include Continuing Education Students).
• Must not have prior balances paid through HEERF III institutional funds over $500.

Who is ineligible to receive HEERF III (ARP) grants:

• Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students
• Students who had prior balances paid through HEERF III institutional funds over $500.

Awards are based on Pell versus Non-Pell eligibility and student classification as of the Fall 2021 semester. Pell awards calculated after September 30, 2021, will not change HEERF III eligibility criteria.

Every eligible student will be awarded. Amounts will range between $500 and $700 based on:

• A student’s Pell eligibility
• A students Classification

Students who have a balance with NSU will have the option to apply their HEERF III (ARP) funding towards any charges still owed to NSU. This option will appear within your MyNSU account and answers cannot be changed once submitted.

Am I required to complete a certification process for emergency grant funding:

No certification requirements are needed for a student to receive funding.

Who is eligible for HEERF III funding:  HEERF III (ARP) funds are available to all eligible students (excluding High School Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students and those that previously had prior debt discharged through HEERF III institutional funds over $500) enrolled as of September 30, 2021.  You must be enrolled at NSU beyond a Preparatory or Continuing Education classification.

Who is excluded from CRRSAA Act funding?  Students who are enrolled in Continuing Education programs or who are in high school.  Students who had prior balances discharged through HEERF III institutional funds over $500.

How much will my award be?  Every eligible student will be awarded.  Amounts will range between $500 and $700 based on:

• A student’s Pell eligibility
• A students Classification 

When will I receive payment? Processing will begin on October 7.  Students with Direct Deposit can expect to receive payments within 72 hours, please allow up to two weeks for mailed checks.

If I have a balance with NSU, will my grant be applied towards my balance? Students who have a balance with NSU will have the option to apply their HEERF III (ARP) funding towards any charges still owed to NSU.  This option will appear within your MyNSU account.

If I am at my maximum Cost of Attendance (COA), am I eligible to receive funding?  Students who meet all the eligibility requirements and are at their COA, will receive funding.   Awards do not count towards a student’s Estimated Financial Assistance.

Am I eligible if I am a currently enrolled as a Dual Enrollment Student?   No

Can International Students Receive Funds Under the HEERF III? Yes, International students are eligible to receive funding through ARP.

Does the money need to be repaid? No

How will I receive my emergency grant? Funds will be posted on your student account and paid in the form of a direct deposit (if set up) or a paper check by US mail to your student address on file with the university.

How do I know if I have established direct deposit?  You can review direct deposit information within MyNSU.

If you have not established a direct deposit, you can sign up by submitting the direct deposit form by October 5, 2021.  Please submit a voided blank check or a letter from your bank on your bank’s letterhead for your direct deposit request to be processed.

Please return this form to the Cashiers Office, 3rd Floor Student Services Center, or mail to Northwestern State University, Student Accounting & Cashiering, P.O. Box 5669, Natchitoches, LA 71497. You may also fax it to 318-357-5387.

What if my address on file is not correct? You will need to complete a change of address form with the NSU Registrar’s Office.  Complete and sign the form and submit by fax to 318-357-5823 or email to registrar@nsula.edu for processing.

• Total amount of ARP funds NSU will receive for student grants: $10,530,336
• Total ARP grants disbursed to students as of October 8, 2021: $4,500,200
• Total Number of students who received ARP grants as of October 8, 2021: 7633
• Total ARP grants disbursed to students as of November 11, 2021: $5,756,143
• Total Number of students who received ARP grants as of November 11,2021: 8439
• Total Number of students eligible for Fall 2021 ARP funds as of November 11, 2021: 8439
• Total ARP grants disbursed to students as of March 17, 2022 for Spring 2022 awards: $4,781,467
• Total Number of students who received ARP grants as of March 17, 2022: 7347
• Total Number of eligible students for ARP grants during Summer 2022: 3028
• Total Number of ARP Supplemental Summer 2022 Applications: 872
• Total Number of ARP Supplemental Summer 2022 Applications Processed: 39
• Total Amount of ARP Supplemental Summer 2022 awarded: $17355
• All available ARP funds (HEERF III) were distributed to students as of July 29, 2022

• ARP Notice to Students