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.

During 2021, NSU was awarded an additional $10.5 million through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to continue to support our students due to COVID-19.  ARP Funds were disbursed to eligible students during the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Semesters.

NSU has determined $17,346 in ARP funds that can be awarded to students during Summer 2022, therefore only a small number of students can be awarded funds. 

An application process has been developed to try and provide funds to students to help cover additional emergency expenses due to coronavirus such as tuition, books, housing, food, health care (including mental), childcare and transportation.  The online application is for students to request additional grant funds for COVID emergency expenses.

Grant Amount:

Grant Amounts will be determined on an individual student basis.

Grant Request Form Student Eligibility:

To be eligible, you must:

1. Demonstrate Enrollment at the Time of Disbursement:

1. 1. • Be enrolled, or completed, at least 1 credit hour for Summer 2022 as of July 7, 2022.
      • Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students are not eligible.

2. Declare Exceptional Need or Significant Unexpected Expenses due to additional emergency cost(s) due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, books, food, housing, health care (including mental), childcare or transportation.

Application Process:

Students will be required to complete an online application.  Once the application has been submitted, no other changes can be made to the application.  Completing the application does not guarantee additional grant funding due to very limited funding available.

Application Deadline:

Applications will be available on July 18, 2022 and will expire on July 22, 2022.  There will be no extension provided to the application deadline.

Information and Eligibility Requirements for the Additional American Rescue Plan (ARP) Supplemental Student Grant Request for Summer 2022

Students may use the grants toward:

1. 1. • 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

1. 1. • Must be enrolled, or have completed at least one hour, for the Summer 2022 semester as of July 7, 2022.
      • All regularly admitted students to the university beyond the Preparatory (High School Dual Enrollment) classification (this does not include Continuing Education Students).

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

1. 1. • Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students

Amount of Awards

1. 1. • Grant Amounts will be determined on an individual student basis.
      • Students who have a balance with NSU will have the option to apply their Supplemental Student Grant Request towards any charges still owed to NSU.  This option will be included in the application that a student must complete to be reviewed for the award.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Am I required to complete an application process for Supplemental Student Grant Request:  All students wishing to apply for the Supplemental Student Grant must complete the online application for review.

Who is eligible to apply for the Supplemental Student Grant Request:  All students (excluding High School Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students) are eligible to apply for supplemental funds.

Who is excluded from Supplemental Student Grant Request?  High School Dual Enrollment and Continuing Education students are not eligible to apply for supplemental funds.

When will I be notified if my application was approved or denied?  Students who apply will receive an email by the close of business on July 27, 2022, regarding an application decision

If approved, when will I receive payment? Processing will begin on July 28, 2022.  Students with Direct Deposit can expect to receive payments within 72 hours.

If I have a balance with NSU, will my Supplemental grant, if approved, be applied towards my balance? Students who have a balance with NSU will have the option to apply their supplemental grant funding towards any charges still owed to NSU.

If I am at my maximum Cost of Attendance (COA), am I eligible to receive funding?  Supplemental Grant funding will not count towards a student’s COA.

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

Can International Students apply for Supplemental Grant Funding?  Yes, International students are eligible to apply for supplemental grant funding.

Does the money need to be repaid? No

If approved, how will I receive my Supplemental Grant Funding? Funds will be posted on your student account and paid in the form of a direct deposit.

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 July 27, 2022.  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.

Direct Deposit Form

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.

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 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