Information on your options regarding emergency funding requests
The Office of Student Financial Services coordinates emergency financial aid awarding at IUPUI from institutional and federal aid sources, as well as from IU Foundation funds. The Student Central Financial Challenges website offers multiple categories of assistance and a simple application process:
Additionally, the recent federal CARES Act and Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants directly to students. IUPUI has now provided HEERF grants to students through the CARES Act and CRRSAA. Like other grants, you will not have to pay the HEERF Grant back if you qualify for it.
Frequently asked questions about emergency funds
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 required institutions to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as those who receive Pell Grants. To receive a grant, undergraduate students must have filed the 2021-2022 FAFSA, have an EFC of 10,000 or less, be enrolled at least half time as a degree-seeking student for the fall 2021 semester, and have verified their status as a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, if needed.
Graduate and professional students must have filed the 2021-2022 FAFSA, have an EFC of 5,846 or less, be enrolled at full time as a degree-seeking student for the fall 2021 semester, and have verified their status as a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, if needed.
The amount of funding will depend on the student’s EFC and enrollment status as of August 31, 2021. Students with specific questions about their award amount can contact us at finaid@iupui.edu.
Yes. New students are eligible for funding if they meet the awarding criteria.
Yes. International, DACA, and undocumented students that meet other eligibility criteria may be able to receive funding. These students will likely need to complete an application to self-identify and provide necessary information.
Generally, yes. Unless the student is international, DACA, or undocumented we will require the student to file a FAFSA to determine their eligibility for funding.
Grant recipients will be notified by university email once awards have been added. Students can also view awards in “View/Pay Bursar Bill” in One.IU. Awards will appear on bursar accounts as the Federal Emergency Relief Grant.
HEERF emergency grant funds should be used to cover educational expenses, including course materials, technology, and transportation costs, or costs related to the coronavirus, including expenses such as food, housing, health care, and child care.
Yes. HEERF grants can also be used to cover outstanding bursar balances due to the university. Students can contact finaid@iupui.edu to inquire about the process.
Yes. If the student meets the awarding criteria, they can receive additional funds even if they already received one of the other federal emergency grants.
No, like other federal grants, students will not need to repay these funds if they qualify.
No. The HEERF grant is awarded above and beyond any other federal, state, institutional, or private financial aid students have already received or will receive during the 2021-22 academic year.
The application requires the student to submit name, university ID number, and a short narrative describing the emergency funding needs. The requestor can upload information as appropriate and may be asked to submit additional documentation. All correspondence will occur using the student’s IUPUI email address.
Confidential requests are reviewed on case-by-case basis by a team of highly trained financial aid administrators. Requests are referred to campus partners as appropriate. Note the application was recently modified for all groups of IUPUI students to submit a request for financial crisis funding, including international students, DACA students, and graduate/professional students.
In the majority of requests reviewed, students are helped to determine if they are eligible for additional federal aid eligibility before they are considered for limited emergency aid funds. But for those that have exhausted federal and state aid eligibility and have unmet financial need, an emergency aid funding option is likely to be awarded.
Undergraduate students should receive an email response with aid options within 3-5 business days. Referrals to campus partners for international students, undocumented students, DACA students, or graduate/professional students may take a bit longer. Monitor your email regularly for updates or requests for additional information.
Students who have set up direct deposit refunds with the Bursar will receive funds in a matter of days after awards are made; if there is no direct deposit information on file, the Bursar mails refund checks on a weekly basis.
Eligibility is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. For students that have maximized federal and state aid eligibility, awarding practices include the IUPUI Emergency Assistance Grant of up to $2,000 per year, the Jaguar Persistence Grant of up to $2,000 per year, or an IU Miller Loan of up to $4,000 per year for those close to graduation.
