HEERF III Deadline Extension and Increased Income Threshold for Students

November 22, 2021

To: All Students
From:  Michele Rasmussen, Dean of Students in the University
Subject: HEERF III Deadline Extension and Increased Income Threshold for Students
Date:  November 22, 2021

I write to announce that the University has extended the deadline – to December 1, 2021 – for eligible students to submit an application for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) funding. In addition to extending the submission deadline, the income thresholds have also been raised to $40,000 for graduate/professional students and $190,000 for College students. Students who have already submitted an application do not need to complete a new application. All HEERF III applications, including those that were submitted prior to this announcement, will be reviewed using the new filing requirements listed below.

Because of this change, the University anticipates a slight delay in the disbursement of funds to students whose applications are approved, with funds expected to be disbursed in mid- to late-December.

As a reminder, all students, including those who have received a block grant, who meet the updated eligibility requirements described below (and in the HEERF III FAQ) are welcome to submit an application for HEERF III funding (via my.UChicago.edu under the “Finances” tab).

HEERF III Application Process

1. For students who are eligible to receive federal student aid (i.e., U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, U.S. nationals or other Title IV-eligible non-citizens as described here):
   1. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will need to submit a HEERF III application, a 2021-22 FAFSA (if they have not already), as well as any supplemental materials needed, by 12:00 PM CST on December 1, 2021.
      • In order to be eligible for HEERF III funding, students must meet the following requirements:
        1. Income threshold, equal to or less than:
           1. $190,000 USD parent income for undergraduate students
           2. $40,000 USD student income for graduate/professional students
              • If you or your family’s 2019 income as noted on your FAFSA exceeds the income threshold, you will be able to upload documentation of changes in financial status to your HEERF III application.
        2. Students must be enrolled in Autumn Quarter 2021.
        3. HEERF III funds must be used for students’ cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus.
      • A full list of eligibility requirements, as well as information on accepted forms of supplemental documentation, can be found in the HEERF III FAQ.
2. For students who are not eligible to receive federal student aid (international students, refugee and asylum seekers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients, and students who are undocumented):
   1. Students who meet the eligibility requirements will need to submit a HEERF III application by 12:00 PM CST on December 1, 2021. Students who are ineligible to receive federal student aid should not attempt to file a FAFSA, as it could delay the processing of your HEERF III application.
      • In order to be eligible for HEERF III funding, these students must meet the following requirements:
        1. Income threshold, equal to or less than:
           1. $190,000 USD parent income for undergraduate students
           2. $40,000 USD student income for graduate/professional students
        2. Students must be enrolled in Autumn Quarter 2021.
        3. HEERF III funds must be used for students’ cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus.
      • For more information on applying for HEERF III funding, please review the FAQ questions related to non-FAFSA filer applicants.

For further information on HEERF III, including specific eligibility requirements, details on the application process, and information about HEERF III block grants or funding, please visit the University’s HEERF III FAQ or email studentheerf@uchicago.edu.