American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) Information

About ARP Funding

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing Emergency financial grant support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds.

The emergency funds available under CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP are provided to allow students and institutions to cope with the expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taken together, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116–136), the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (Pub. L. 116-260), and the emergency funds available under CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP are provided to allow students and institutions to cope. ARP represent HEERF I, HEERF II, and HEERF III, respectively.

HEERF funding is separate from additional financial aid students may receive from Dunwoody College of Technology. On May 17th, 2021 Dunwoody was approved for $1,863,306.00 in HEERF III funding intended for distribution to students and can be disbursed over the next 12 months to combat the continuing effects of COVID-19.

Dunwoody acknowledges that it has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement. The Department has assurance that the institution has used the applicable amount of funds designated under the CRRSAA and ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III Frequently Asked Questions page (PDF)

What Does This Funding Cover?

The following is a list of expenses that can be considered for grant assistance that align with any component of student’s cost of attendance—such as emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as::

• Food
• Housing
• Course materials
• Technology
• Health care (including mental health)
• Child care

HEERF III Eligibility

Students who meet all criteria below are eligible for HEERF III:

• Working towards a degree or certificate at Dunwoody during the COVID-19 national emergency, regardless of whether they completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or are eligible for Title IV
• Enrolled during the summer or fall 2021 semester
• Not participating in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

The total number of students at Dunwoody College of Technology who are eligible for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III): 1,527

Award Methodology

Dunwoody has adopted the following approach for distributing the $1,863,306.00 (Total HEERF III Student Allocation dollars) to our affected students:

Starting the week of July 12th 2021, Dunwoody College of Technology started disbursing their HEERF III student portion to eligible Summer 2021 enrolled students. Then, starting the week of September 13th 2021, Dunwoody started the process of disbursing the remaining HEERF III Student portion funds to eligible Fall 2021 enrolled students.

Total Summer 2021 HEERF III Eligible Students= 159
Total Fall 2021 HEERF III Eligible Students= 1,368
Total HEERF III Eligible Students= 1,527

Summer 2021 disbursement plan:

• Students who have a 2020/2021 EFC of: (0-5603) will receive $500 each. Totaling 47 students= $23,500
• Students who have a 2020/2021 EFC of: (5604 +) will receive $400 each. Totaling 86 students= $34,400
• Students who have No EFC/FAFSA on file will receive $300 each. Totaling 26 students= $7,800

Total= $65,700 (Summer 2021 HEERF III Payments)

Fall 2021 disbursement plan:

• Students who have a 2021/2022 EFC of: (0) will receive $2,000 each. Totaling 218 students= $436,000
• Students who have a 2021/2022 EFC of: (1-6999) will receive $1,800 each. Totaling 285 students= $513,000
• Students who have a 2021/2022 EFC of: (7000-10,000) will receive $1,500 each. Totaling 84 students= $126,000
• Students who have a 2021/2022 EFC of: (10001 +) will receive $1,100 each. Totaling 521 students= $573,100
• Students who have No EFC/FAFSA on file will receive $546.11 each. Totaling 255 students= $139,258.05
• International Students with demonstrated need will receive $2,000 each. Totaling 5 students= $10,000

Total = $1,797,606.00 (Fall 2021 HEERF III Payments)

Total = $1,863,306.00

As of December 31, 2021, Dunwoody College of Technology has disbursed their total HEERF III Student Allotment: $1,863,306.00

Institutional instructions, directions, or guidance provided

Dear Student,

The included check/payment is from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) Emergency Grant.

You have 30 days from the issue date of the check to cash it. If the check is not cashed within 30 days, the check will be canceled and the funds will be returned to the Dunwoody College of Technology American Rescue Plan (ARP) (HEERF III) fund.

The money received through this fund does not need to be repaid. This fund does not impact, nor replace, any financial aid you may currently receive.

If you have any questions pertaining to the American Rescue Plan (ARP) (HEERF III) Emergency Grant — please visit Dunwoody’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Information FAQ’s page on the Dunwoody webpage.

Thank you,
Dunwoody College of Technology

Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting for HEERF I, II, and III (a)(1) Institutional Portion

• View report for Quarter 2 – 2021 (PDF)
• View report for Quarter 1 – 2021 (PDF)

***Additional Need-Based Aid Eligibility***

DCT Students,

Has there been changes to Your Family’s Financial Situation?

If you or your family’s financial situation has changed significantly from what is reflected on your federal income tax return (for example, if you’ve lost a job or otherwise experienced a drop in income), you may be eligible to have your financial aid adjusted that could make you eligible for Federal Pell Grants and other need-based student aid.

What to do? Complete the FAFSA questions as instructed on the application (including the transfer of tax return and income information), submit your FAFSA form, then contact the financial aid office to discuss how your current financial situation has changed.

The financial aid office is in the process of conducting direct outreach to financial aid applicants about the opportunity to receive a financial aid adjustment. However, if you feel that a review of your special circumstance should be reviewed immediately, please email the financial aid office at: financialaid@dunwoody.edu

Note that the school’s decision is final and cannot be appealed to the U.S. Department of Education.