HEERF II Student Emergency Grants

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRSAA), included additional funding for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The U.S. Department of Education has allocated a portion of these funds for institutions to distribute as emergency grants to eligible students. Funding for SUNY Upstate Medical University under this program, referred to as “HEERF II” is at the same level as the CARES student emergency grants distributed in 2020, $259,963 to an estimated 1,379 eligible students at the institution that may apply for funding from the emergency grant.

HEERF II student aid funds may be used by students for any component of their 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.

Eligibility for HEERF II grants is prioritized to degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students with an Expected Family Contribution within the range for Pell eligibility: 0-5,711.

SUNY Upstate received Student Aid funding under the CRRSAA section 314(a)(1) program. This program, with some changes, provides supplemental funds to the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. SUNY Upstate signed and returned to the Education Department a Certification and Agreement as required under the CARES Act section 18004(a)(1) program. We acknowledge that by drawing down the CRRSAA Student Aid Funds, our institution agrees to be bound by the conditions set forth in the CRRSAA Student Aid Supplemental Agreement including using 100 percent of these Student Aid Funds to provide emergency aid grants to students.