The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law on March 11, 2021.  The Plan established additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which allocated money to higher education institutions impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and provided CARES Act and CRRSAA grants to students throughout the national emergency.  Washington & Jefferson College received $1,712,147 that must be made available directly to students as emergency grants for any component of students’ cost of attendance or emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus such as tuition, food, housing, health care, and others not specifically identified here.

The ARP allows for expanded uses of HEERF funds. According to current federal policy, any student who is or was enrolled at W&J on or after March 13, 2020, the date of the national emergency declaration, is eligible for funding. Therefore, international students, students who have stopped out, or students that have withdrawn are eligible for emergency grants under the ARP.

There is no application or action needed to receive an emergency grant. All eligible students will receive an email notifying them of their eligibility for funding.

No, under the expanded uses for the HEERF funds, no FAFSA or Title IV eligibility is necessary to receive an emergency grant.

W&J has been allocated a limited amount of funds to distribute; the College’s goal is to assist as many eligible students as possible.  Eligible students will initially receive $600.

Payments to students that established enrollment at W&J before fall 2021 began July 23, 2021. Payments to students that established enrollment at W&J for the first time in fall 2021 will begin September 30, 2021.

You have two options to receive your funds.

Option 1: Take no action, and W&J will mail a check to the permanent home address on file.

Option 2: Complete this form no later than 5 PM EST on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, to provide consent to have your emergency grant credited to your student account balance. Funds will be credited towards any existing account balance.

No, these funds are to assist you and are considered a grant and do not have to be repaid.

No, your ARP grant is specifically intended to help with expenses related to your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus.  The funds will not have any impact on current financial aid or future financial aid.

Students may use the emergency financial aid grant toward any component of their cost of attendance, such as tuition and fees, books, room and board, and transportation.  In addition, funds may be used for emergency costs that may arise due to Coronavirus, including but not limited to:

• Food
• Housing
• Healthcare (including Mental Health)
• Childcare

The college has established a process by which currently enrolled students who identify as having exceptional financial need can appeal for additional ARP funding.  A limited amount of money has been set aside for successful appeals.  To appeal for additional funds, please complete this application. The application will be available October 1 – October 15, 2021.  Students will be notified of the outcome of this appeal 2 weeks after the deadline of October 15 via their W&J email address.  These funds will be granted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

No, the ARP Grant is not considered to be taxable income.  Please note, these funds will be reported on your 2021 1098T.

Yes, you may provide the College your written consent to credit your ARP emergency grant directly to your student account. Complete this form no later than 5 PM EST on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, to provide consent to have your emergency grant credited to your student account balance.

Yes, you may provide the College your written consent to credit your ARP emergency grant directly to your student account. Complete this form no later than 5 PM EST on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, to provide consent to have your emergency grant credited to your student account balance.

No, students may want to retain documentation for tax purposes but will not be asked to submit receipts documenting their expenses to W&J.

ARP funds do not adversely affect NCAA eligibility.

Complete the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using 2019 income (as required).  If you and/or your family has a special circumstance resulting from COVID-19, such as a loss in income, please email finaid@washjeff.edu or call 724-223-6019 for opportunities to review your aid.

If you have questions about the ARP or your appeal, please email finaid@washjeff.edu.  We appreciate your patience as we work quickly to provide you with ARP funding.