ARPA 2021
The student portion of ARPA has been expended. Applications are no longer being received.
Kutztown University was awarded federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA). While these funds were similar to the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery and Economic Security, 2020 funds (CARES), and Corona Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) they were indeed a different fund. These funds were for higher education institutions to promote and ensure learning continues during the pandemic.
These funds are now depleted and the program is closed.
ARPA funds were able to be used to pay for:
- Tuition and Fee bills at KU
- Food
- Housing
- Course Materials
- Technology
- Health Care
- Childcare expenses
- Other Expenses (Expenses that do not fit any of the above)
- Some expenses are not eligible - such as car insurance, car payments, home remodeling, credit card bills, rent for family members, food for family members, and other.
Am I eligible?
Student applications are now CLOSED and student funds disbursed in full.
You may be eligible for ARPA funding if you are enrolled in the Fall 2021 semester, have filed a FAFSA, completed verification if requested, and are meeting all eligibility necessary to receive federal funding as stated in Section 484 of the Higher Education Act. If a student does not have a FAFSA on file, but is eligible to file one, supporting documentation may be necessary for a request to determine need. If a student is not eligible to file a FAFSA, supporting documentation may be necessary for a request to determine need. Funds must be prioritized to our neediest students with the purpose of promoting and continuing education during the pandemic as part of the requirement for the fund reporting.
Eligible Students include: DACA, undocumented students, International, dual credit, non-U.S.-citizen students, visiting and transient students.
Will I automatically receive money if I am eligible?
A final release of funds has occurred the week of April 4th to our most needy students. This has depleted the funds KU has received to release to and assist students.
What do I do if I have an emergent need and these funds are gone?
Students who have a financial emergency can always apply for emergency funding. These funds are extremely limited and may not be used for tuition balances. Students must show that they are facing an immediate emergency to be approved and are typically limited to one emergency award for their college career. More information about eligible expenses can be found on the KU Care Team Emergency Funding Request form. Students who have questions about emergency funding can schedule a meeting to talk with a KU Care Team representative using this link: Schedule a Meeting.
I noticed that this emergency funding now allows for funding to pay towards my bill on MyKU, how does this happen?
Student applications are now CLOSED and student funds disbursed in full.
Can I request this funding instead of using my Stafford loans?
Student applications are now CLOSED and student funds disbursed in full.
PRIOR answer: This is a tricky question. Emergency funding awards are to help bridge a gap between the typical aid you use and the costs. This is not to replace your financial aid. The committee will review your account with every request and ensure you have utilized all aid options available to you before awarding emergency funding. You may be encouraged to work with financial aid services on additional resources available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions - the program is closed.
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What is ARPA?
- The American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARPA) is federal legislation that provides a variety of financial support to higher education institutions to promote and ensure learning continues during the pandemic for our neediest students.
- Kutztown University received $ 9.91 million dollars to be provided directly to students for their expenses related to continuing their education and learning.
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How much will I receive?
The program is closed.
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How will I receive this money if awarded?
Emergency grants will be processed through Student Accounts. On the request form, students will choose if the funding is to pay their bill directly in MyKU or if the funding is to be refunded to the student.
If refunding to the student, this is done through the refund option you previously selected with BankMobile Disbursements. To review/modify your selected option, log into www.bankmobilevibe.com; to make a refund selection go to https://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices. If you no longer have your personal code, click on Need a Code below the box and proceed. If you are still having difficulty, please email the Office of Student Accounts for guidance and direction.
If the student requested the funding to pay their tuition bill as now allowed by the ARPA, then the payment would be applied to their MyKU account.
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Do I need to repay the money?
No, you will not need to repay any money received through this federal emergency fund.
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Can I apply for more funding than the flat award I may receive or have received?
Yes, you can however there are limits in place to ensure all needy students have access to the funds.
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Can I apply for funding more than once?
This program is now closed.
If you apply for additional funds after a prior award, you may fill out the application again, however priority is given to first time applicants and subsequent awards, even if emergent, may not be approved to ensure availability of funds for all needy students.
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Does this funding affect my other financial aid?
No. ARPA, like CRRSAA and CARES Act, these funds are an emergency grant to help you manage expenses to ensure you can continue with higher education learning during the pandemic, and it will not have any impact on other financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Other funds for emergent needs may affect your Financial Aid cost of attendance limits.
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What if I still have an account balance and receive a flat award amount of funding?
If you receive a flat award amount, that will be refunded to you via your BankMobile refund preference. You can absolutely use this amount to pay your bill so that you can be cleared for Spring registration appointments and not miss out on the courses you want or need.
We cannot do this for you automatically though unless it is via an application where you chose Option 1.
If you applied for funds - then you chose if you wanted funding to pay towards your bill or if you wanted funds to be refunded to you.
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Are the Emergency Grants taxable?
The emergency grants are not reported on a 1098-T. Please consult with a tax guide or financial advisor to determine what would be taxable for your specific situation.
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Are there local or regional resources to access food pantries or other related services for me and my family?
Yes! Friend Inc. has a Food Pantry at 658D Noble Street in Kutztown. Contact Friend at https://www.friendinc.org/ or 610-683-7790.
You can also find a food bank near you at Feeding America.org, and the State of Pennsylvania provides additional resources and information at this link.
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Are there any other resources that may help with software or training for my computer?
Kutztown University students can log into www.onthehub.com to see what various software programs and trainings are available to them at reduced costs OR no cost, simply based on their student status at KU.
Reports (if applicable):
9/30/2021 - Report #3 - combined
12/31/2021 - Report #4 - combined
3/31/2022 - Report #5 - combined
Institutional Report - 6/30/2021
Institutional Report - 9/30/2021 - 00332200_HEERF_Q32021_101021
Institutional Report - 12/31/2021 - 00332200_HEERF_Q42021_011022
Institutional Report - 3/31/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q12022_041022
Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding – 6/30/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q22022_071022
REVISED Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding - 6/30/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q22022_071022
Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding – 9/30/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q32022_101022
REVISED Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding - 9/30/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q32022_101022
Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding – 12/31/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q42022_011023
REVISED Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding - 12/31/2022 - 00332200_HEERF_Q42022_011023
FINAL Quarterly Report for all HEERF Funding – 3/31/2023 - 00332200_HEERF_Q12023_041023