Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) Funds

HEERF Institutional Portion Report and Disclosure

HEERF Student Portion Report and Disclosure

Last Updated: 04/07/2022

Texas A&M University acknowledges that it has signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that it will use the applicable amounts of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) I, II, and III designated under the CARES Act, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act, signed into law by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

The total amount of HEERF I, II, and III funds Texas A&M will allocate for distributions to students at College Station, Galveston, and the Health Science Center is $93,808,397. The total student portion of each individual HEERF allocation is listed below:
- HEERF I - $19,908,222
- HEERF II - $19,908,222
- HEERF III - $53,991,953
As of April 5, 2021, Texas A&M University has distributed all HEERF I Student Portion funds required under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of June 17, 2021, Texas A&M University has distributed all HEERF II Student Portion funds required under the CRRSA Act.
As of March 22, 2022, Texas A&M University has distributed all HEERF III Student Portion funds required under the ARP Act.
For the quarter ranging January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students from HEERF III funds was $20,670,553.
The estimated total number of students at Texas A&M University potentially eligible to receive funds from HEERF III is 74,308.
For the quarter ranging January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022, the total number of students that received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant from HEERF III funds was –
- For College Station: 24,363
- For Galveston: 654
- For Health Science Center: 101

HEERF I (CARES Act) Method of Award

The methods used to determine which and how much students receive in Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Summer 2020 are as follows –

Block grants offered to College Station and Galveston students enrolled in Summer to assist with rent and food costs
1. For College Station:
  - $600 for non-Pell eligible undergraduates, graduates, and professional students
  - $1,200 for Pell-eligible undergraduates
2. For Galveston:
  - $900 for non-Pell eligible undergraduates
  - $1,000 for graduates and professional students
  - $1,500 for Pell-eligible undergraduates
3. The following student groups will be excluded:
  - Those who lived on campus and received a housing refund
  - Those who were not enrolled in Spring 2020
  - Those who were living at home (indicated on the FAFSA)
4. The following student groups will be prioritized:
  - Undergraduates
  - Newly admitted students through the expedited admissions process
  - Continuing Master’s Degree students
  - Unfunded Doctoral students
Students may submit the existing Counselor Review Form to Scholarships & Financial Aid for review of extenuating circumstances.
1. This form is available by clicking on “My Financial information has changed” on the Emergency Aid webpage.
Students may submit an Emergency Aid Application by visiting the Emergency Aid webpage and clicking on “Emergency Aid Application”. The application is housed in the Financial Aid Portal, and students will list the amount they are requesting and indicate their need category –
1. This includes, but is not limited to:
  - Rent/Utilities
  - Food
  - Medical
  - Childcare
  - Technology/Course materials (to include internet cost)
Maximum amounts will be as follows and whether a student qualifies for the maximum will be based on the needs presented in the emergency aid application and whether or not the student has already been awarded the maximum in CARES eligibility –
1. For College Station: $1,700 for Pell-eligible undergraduate students and $1,100 for non-Pell eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
2. For Galveston: $1,500 for Pell-eligible undergraduate students, $900 for non-Pell eligible undergraduate students, and $1,000 for graduate and professional students
3. For Health Science Center: $1,500 for Pell-eligible undergraduate students and $900 for non-Pell eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
4. NOTE: Students who apply and are not enrolled for Summer 2020 but were enrolled for Spring 2020 and did not graduate will be reviewed in accordance with the criteria listed above.

The methods used to determine which and how much students receive in Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Fall 2020 are as follows –

Students may submit an Emergency Aid Application by visiting the Emergency Aid webpage and clicking on “Emergency Aid Application”. The application is housed in the Financial Aid Portal, and students will list the amount they are requesting and indicate their need category –
1. This includes, but is not limited to:
  - Rent/Utilities
  - Food
  - Medical
  - Childcare
  - Technology
  - Books/Course Materials
Maximum amounts will be as follows and whether a student qualifies for the maximum will be based on the needs presented in the emergency aid application –
1. For College Station: $3,500 for all students
2. For Galveston: $2,500 for all students
3. For Health Science Center: $200 for students previously awarded CARES Act funding in the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 semester and $1,100 for students not previously awarded CARES Act funding
4. Technology expenses will be limited for students at all locations to $1,000 per student

HEERF II (CRRSA Act) Method of Award

The methods used to determine which and how much currently enrolled students receive in HEERF II funds for Spring 2021 are as follows –

Block grants offered to students who meet the following conditions:
- Group 1: $1,100
  1. A valid 2020-2021 FAFSA has been received
  2. U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  3. Undergraduate students:
    - Qualify for the Pell Grant based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) reported by the FAFSA
  4. Graduate and professional students:
    - Have less than $1,500 in combined grants, scholarships, and other resources
    - Have an EFC reported by the FAFSA that is 5,711 or less
- Group 2: $400-$800
  1. A valid 2020-2021 FAFSA has been received
  2. U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  3. Awarded to undergraduate students only that do not qualify for the Pell Grant based on the EFC reported by the FAFSA
  4. Awarded $400 to students who have unmet need of $100-$10,000 based on their Cost of Attendance and EFC
    - The determination of unmet need did not take into consideration any loans or work-study amounts
  5. Awarded $800 to students who have more than $10,000 in remaining unmet need based on their Cost of Attendance and EFC
    - The determination of unmet need did not take into consideration any loans or work-study amounts
Non-FAFSA filers that are U.S. citizens or permanent residents were sent a link to complete a HEERF II Application to be considered for HEERF II funds.
- Completion of the application does not guarantee the student will receive HEERF II funds.
- Award amounts will not exceed $400 per student.

HEERF III (ARP Act) Method of Award

The methods used to determine which and how much currently enrolled students receive in HEERF III funds for Summer 2021 are as follows –

Block grants offered to students who meet the following conditions:
- Group 1 (Undergraduate Students only): $1,000 - $1,200
  1. A valid 2020-2021 FAFSA has been received
  2. Qualify for the Pell Grant based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) reported by the FAFSA
  3. Awarded $1,000 to College Station and Health Science Center students
  4. Awarded $1,200 to Galveston students
- Group 2
  1. Undergraduate Students: $500 - $1,200
    - A valid 2020-2021 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Student does not qualify for the Pell Grant
    - Amounts as follows based on Cost of Attendance and EFC –
      1. Awarded $500 to students who have unmet need of $100 - $5,000
      2. Awarded $750 to students who have unmet need of $5,001 - $10,000
      3. Awarded $1,000 to College Station and Health Science Center students who have unmet need of $10,001+
      4. Awarded $1,200 to Galveston students who have unmet need of $10,001+
  2. Graduate Students: $500 - $1,000
    - A valid 2020-2021 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Awarded $500 to Health Science Center students with at least $100 in unmet need
    - Amounts as follows based on Cost of Attendance and EFC for College Station and Galveston –
      1. Awarded $500 to students who have unmet need of $100 - $5,000
      2. Awarded $750 to students who have unmet need of $5,001 - $10,000
      3. Awarded $1,000 to students who have unmet need of $10,001+
  3. NOTE: The determination of unmet need did not take into consideration any loans or work-study amounts.
A Non-Filer Application was sent to students who do not have a complete financial aid application (i.e. FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA) on file.
- Completion of the application did not guarantee the student would receive HEERF III funds.
- Award amounts varied based on the information provided in the application.
Funding will also be used for those who have eligibility based on Professional Judgment.

The methods used to determine which and how much currently enrolled students receive in HEERF III funds for Fall 2021 are as follows –

Block grants offered to students who meet the following conditions:
- Group 1 (Undergraduate Students only): $1,000 - $1,500
  1. A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA has been received
  2. Qualify for the Pell Grant based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) reported by the FAFSA
  3. Awarded $1,000 to College Station and Health Science Center students
    - NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 are not eligible for funding in Fall 2021.
  4. Awarded $1,500 to Galveston students
- Group 2
  1. Undergraduate Students: $500 - $1,000
    - A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Student does not qualify for the Pell Grant
    - Amount awarded varies by campus –
      1. Awarded $700 to College Station students with at least $100 in unmet need
      2. Awarded $750 to Galveston students with at least $100 in unmet need
      3. Amounts for Health Science Center students are as follows:
        Awarded $500 to students who have unmet need of $100 - $5,000
        Awarded $750 to students who have unmet need of $5,001 - $10,000
        Awarded $1,000 to students who have unmet need of $10,001+
        NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 are not eligible for funding in Fall 2021.
  2. Graduate Students: $500 - $700
    - A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Awarded $700 to College Station students with at least $100 in unmet need
    - Awarded $500 to Galveston and Health Science Center students with at least $100 in unmet need
      1. NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 are not eligible for funding in Fall 2021.
    - NOTE: The determination of unmet need did not take into consideration any loans or work-study amounts.
A Non-Filer Application was sent to students who do not have a complete financial aid application (i.e. FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA) on file.
- Completion of the application did not guarantee the student would receive HEERF III funds.
- Students with no unmet need were excluded as were students who completed a FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA after submitting the Non-Filer Application.
- On the application, students were required to provide their 2019 income (based on range) as well as their parent’s if they are considered dependent, and this served as the basis for their award.
  1. They were also able to provide 2021 income (based on range) for either themselves or their parent(s) if they indicated a drastic change had been experienced.
- Amount awarded varies by campus –
  1. College Station: $500 - $1,000
    - If income was between $0 - $40,000, students were awarded $1,000
    - If income was between $40,000 - $80,000, students were awarded $700
    - If income was greater than $80,000, students were awarded $500
  2. Galveston: $500 - $1,500
    - If income was between $0 - $40,000, students were awarded $1,500
    - If income was between $40,000 - $80,000, students were awarded $750
    - If income was greater than $80,000, students were awarded $500
  3. Health Science Center: $500 - $1,000
    - Undergraduates
      1. If income was between $0 - $40,000, students were awarded $1,000
      2. If income was between $40,000 - $80,000, students were awarded $750
      3. If income was greater than $80,000, students were awarded $500
    - Graduate students were awarded $500
    - NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 are not eligible for funding in Fall 2021.
Funding may also be used for those who have eligibility based on Professional Judgment.

The methods used to determine which and how much currently enrolled students receive in HEERF III funds for Spring 2022 are as follows –

Block grants offered to students who meet the following conditions:
- Group 1 (Undergraduate Students only): $800 - $1,000
  - A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA has been received
  - Qualify for the Pell Grant based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) reported by the FAFSA
  - Awarded $1,000 to College Station and Galveston students
  - Awarded $800 to Health Science Center students
    - NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 and/or Fall 2021 are not eligible for funding in Spring 2022.
- Group 2
  - Undergraduate Students: $400 - $700
    - A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Student does not qualify for the Pell Grant
    - Amount awarded varies by campus –
      - Awarded $700 to College Station and Galveston students with at least $100 in unmet need
      - Awarded $400 to Health Science Center students with at least $100 in unmet need
        NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 and/or Fall 2021 are not eligible for funding in Spring 2022.
  - Graduate Students: $300 - $700
    - A valid 2021-2022 FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA has been received
    - Awarded $700 to College Station students with at least $100 in unmet need
    - Awarded $500 to Galveston students with at least $100 in unmet need
    - Awarded $300 to Health Science Center students with at least $100 in unmet need
      - NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 and/or Fall 2021 are not eligible for funding in Spring 2022.
    - NOTE: The determination of unmet need did not take into consideration any loans or work-study amounts.
A Non-Filer Application was sent to students who do not have a complete financial aid application (i.e. FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA) on file.
- Completion of the application did not guarantee the student would receive HEERF III funds.
- Students with no unmet need were excluded as were students who completed a FAFSA, TASFA, or ISFAA after submitting the Non-Filer Application.
- On the application, students were required to provide their 2019 income (based on range) as well as their parent’s if they are considered dependent, and this served as the basis for their award.
  - They were also able to provide 2021 income (based on range) for either themselves or their parent(s) if they indicated a drastic change had been experienced.
- Amount awarded varies by campus –
  - College Station: $200 - $1,000
    - Undergraduates
      - Awarded $1,000 if reported income was $0
      - Awarded $750 if reported income was between $0 - $20,000
      - Awarded $525 if reported income was between $20,001 - $40,000
      - Awarded $400 if reported income was between $40,001 - $60,000
      - Awarded $300 if reported income was between $60,001 - $80,000
      - Awarded $200-250 to undergraduate students if reported income was between $80,001 - $100,000 until HEERF III funds were exhausted.
        Award priority was based on the date and time the HEERF III Application was submitted.
    - Graduates
      - Awarded $1,000 if reported income was $0
      - Awarded $750 if reported income was between $0 - $20,000
      - Awarded $500 if reported income was between $20,001 - 40,000
      - Awarded $400 if reported income was between $40,001 - $60,000
      - Awarded $300 if reported income was between $60,001 - $80,000
  - Galveston: $200 - $315
    - Undergraduates
      - Awarded $315 if reported income was $0
      - Awarded $300 if student was –
        Independent with reported income between $20,001 - $40,000
        Dependent with reported income between $40,001 - $60,000
      - Awarded $250 if reported income was between $60,001 - $80,000
      - Awarded $200 if reported income was between $80,001 - $100,000
    - Graduates
      - Awarded $300 if reported income was $0 or $0 - $20,000
      - Awarded $275 if reported income was between $20,001 - $40,000
  - Health Science Center: $300 - $432
    - Undergraduates
      - Awarded $432 if reported income was $0
      - Awarded $300 if reported income was $0 - $20,000
    - Graduates
      - Awarded $375 if reported income was $0
      - Awarded $200 if reported income was $0 - $20,000
    - NOTE: Health Science Center students that received HEERF III funds in Summer 2021 and/or Fall 2021 are not eligible for funding in Spring 2022.
Funding may also be used for those who have eligibility based on Professional Judgment.

The University is informing students of the availability of this funding through the financial aid website and direct e-mails to students who meet initial qualifications based on university information. Beginning with HEERF III funds in Fall 2021, students were presented with the option to have these funds sent directly to them via direct deposit or to have the funds applied to outstanding institutional charges. These responses were collected through a survey created by Texas A&M. Not responding to the survey resulted in funds being sent directly to the student via direct deposit.
Additionally, the University is directly informing both students and parents via email about the availability of the Professional Judgment process. This information was made available on our News webpage and may currently be found in our HEERF III FAQs (“Is there help available if my income has changed?”).