Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)

Using government funding to add virtual care at your institution.

Overview

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, also referred to as HEERF, is a three part relief plan implemented by the Government that provided much needed aid and relief to institutions struggling as a result of COVID-19.

To help you better understand these funds, we have provided a comparison of three distributions of funds to institutions across the country. It includes not only what funds have been distributed, but also covers how the funds can be used, when they need to be used by, etc.

HEERF Comparison Chart

In addition to the comparison chart, we have also included a brief summary of each distribution below, along with how it can be used for our services, so that you can make an informed decision and best allocate your resources.

Can HEERF Funds be used for Virtual Care?

HEERF funds can be used for emergency costs that arise due to the pandemic. This includes tuition, food, housing, health care and child care. Notably included in health care uses are for mental health, which has been specifically referenced in an acknowledgement of the massive mental health crisis that has occured as part of the pandemic.

Because our program is an extension of an institution’s on-campus programs, or even their only offering for health care (physical and mental), our services absolutely qualify for using HEERF funds.

HEERF I Funds via the CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was passed into law on March 13, 2020. Here are the key takeaways:

The law provided an additional $40 billion in relief for high education.
Minority-serving institutions received funding of $3 billion.
For-profit institutions received $396 million directed in only student grants.
Public and private non-profit institutions received an additional $36 billion.

Click here for more information about the HEERF I Funds were distributed.

HEERF II Funds via the CRRSA Act

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA Act) was passed into law December 27, 2020. This law was passed 9 months later after the initial round of relief was not meeting the holistic needs of college students.

The law provided an additional $40 billion in relief for high education.
Minority-serving institutions received funding of $3 billion.
For-profit institutions received $396 million directed in only student grants.
Public and private non-profit institutions received an additional $36 billion.
Institutions with the greatest needs related to the pandemic received $198 million.

Click here for more information about how the HEERF II Funds were distributed.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was passed into law on March 11, 2021.

HEERF III Funds via the ARP

The law provided an additional $40 billion in relief for high education.
Minority-serving institutions received funding of $3 billion.
For-profit institutions received $396 million directed in only student grants.
Public and private non-profit institutions received an additional $36 billion.
Institutions with the greatest needs related to the pandemic received $198 million.

Click here for more information about how the HEERF III Funds were distributed to non-profit institutions and how they were distributed to proprietary institutions.

Let us Help!

If you would like to find out more about how our program can benefit your institution, and how you can use HEERF funds to pay for it, please contact our sales team.