Georgia State University students were informed by email, texts and website messaging that the U.S. Secretary of Education, in response to the HEERF II Act, notified colleges and universities that financial resources are available to provide grants to students for expenses related to disruptions to their educations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were also notified in accordance with recommendations from the U.S. Secretary of Education, Georgia State has distributed funds received through the HEERF II Act by prioritizing students with the greatest levels of financial need using established processes that the university has developed to distribute need-based institutional aid.
Georgia State University requested resources from the HEERF II Act and created two distribution methods for providing this additional support to our students. The HEERF II Act provided Georgia State University $81,991,625.00 in additional support. Of which $22,621,926, of this amount is earmarked for student relief. This relief is provided in two direct distributions and through an emergency grant application process.
Original estimates indicated approximately 38,000 students may be eligible to receive support from the HEERF II Act funding. This estimate is decreased to 26,000 students based on the remaining fund availability. This assistance is provided either through a direct-grant distribution method determined by EFC and Financial Aid eligibility or through an emergency assistance application process, as described below.
The first direct-grant distribution occurred at the end of February 2021. Students were awarded grants ranging from $200 to $700. Students selected for this grant had an EFC that fell below $5,577, were enrolled in the Spring 2021 term, and met all eligibility criteria for HEERF II Act funding. These direct grants were provided to both graduate and undergraduate students. The second direct-grant distribution occurred in July 2021.
Students who are experiencing financial hardship resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for assistance regardless of their EFC. Students no longer are required to have completed a FAFSA nor be otherwise eligible to receive Title IV financial aid. Students may apply for HEERF II Act assistance through the Emergency Assistance Application link located on the Coronavirus Update page on the Georgia State University website. Priority is provided to students who demonstrate a financial need. Awards are granted up to $1,500 per application with a maximum lifetime award not to exceed $6,495. Approximately $3 million dollars has been reserved to provide support to students though this method of distribution.
Students may also request assistance for tuition and fees. Approximately $1.3 million have been reserved to assist students with Tuition and Fees. Students applied for this assistance through email confirmation or the emergency application.
HEERF II Act Distributions as of 10/01/2021
| Quarter | Students | Amount |
| January 2021 – March 2021 | 24,712 | $13,708,196 |
| April 2021 - June 2021 | 959 | $377,274 |
| July 2021 - September 2021 | 25,812 | $8,793,122 |
| Total Disbursed | $22,878,592 |
Note: Disbursement data organized to comply with the quarterly reporting requirements. Students may be included in multiple quarters if a disbursement was received in each quarter.