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Home > COVID-19 Dashboard > American Rescue Plan (ARP)

American Rescue Plan (ARP)

American Rescue Plan (ARP)

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 $39.6 billion in 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 total $76.2 billion.

Students cannot apply for assistance directly from the U.S. Department of Education. Institutions have the responsibility of determining how grants will be distributed to students, how the amount of each student grant is calculated, and the development of any instructions or directions that are provided to students about the grant.

Institutions must make financial aid grants to students, which can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or childcare. The ARP grant requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional financial needs, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be only Pell grant recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants.

Bluefield University acknowledges that the institution signed and returned to the Department of Education the certification and agreement for HEERF III Funds under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (ARP). Bluefield University received $961,806 from the Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Bluefield University decided to award the student funds with a portion in the form of a grant application to assist students whose financial needs may have not been met by their HEERF II award.  The remainder of the funds will be awarded in the fall of 2021 in the form of a weighted financial aid matrix similar to its HEERF I & II student awards with the emphasis of the highest awards being based on the students with the highest documented Pell need.

At the end of Quarter two of the 2021 reporting period, student funds awarded through the grant applications for this period totaled $109,473 assisting 48 students.

At the end of Quarter three of the 2021 reporting period, student funds awarded through the grant applications for this period totaled $252.87 assisting 1 student.

At the end of Quarter four of the 2021 reporting period, student funds awarded through the grant applications for this period totaled $73,108 assisting 44 students. The College also made a distribution to 455 students totaling $350,000.63 based on the below matrix:

Levels Amount to Each Student Per Category
Level 8 – received $6,000+ in Pell funds $1,409.85
Level 7 – received $5,000-$5,999 in Pell funds $1,253.20
Level 6 – received $4,000-$4,999 in Pell funds $1,096.55
Level 5 – received $3,000-$3,999 in Pell funds $939.90
Level 4 – received $2,000-$2,999 in Pell funds $783.25
Level 3 – received $1,000-$1,999 in Pell funds $626.60
Level 2 – received $1-$999 in Pell funds $469.95
Level 1 – received $0 in Pell funds $313.30
Level 0 – Non-Pell $156.65

 

At the end of Quarter one of the 2022 reporting period, student funds awarded through the grant applications for this period totaled $8,156.57 assisting 6 students.

At the end of Quarter two of the 2022 reporting period, student funds awarded through grant applications and the award matrix total $430,945.11 assisting a total of 402 students.

At the end of Quarter three of the 2022 reporting period, student funds awarded through the grant applications for this period totaled $19,106.75  assisting 3 students.

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure under CARES Act Sections 18004(a)(1) Institutional Portion, 18004(a)(2), & 18004(a)(3), if applicable

2021

2nd Quarter – Bluefield University Institutional Portion HEERF Quarterly Reporting and Final Report PR/Award Number: P425F:202438
3rd Quarter – Bluefield University Institutional Portion HEERF Quarterly Reporting PR/Award Number: P425M:200495
4th Quarter – Bluefield University Institutional Portion HEERF Quarterly Reporting and Final Report PR/Award Number: P425M:200495

2022

3rd Quarter – Bluefield University HEERF Quarterly Report PR/Award Number: P425T220367

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Jenna Fitzgerald

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Raymond

Assistant Professor of Counseling

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