Effective July 7, HEERF funding is now open to international, DACA/TPS and other undocumented students. Eligible students who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 may apply for the emergency funding grants through 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 30. The application is available here.
Applicants will be required to provide support documentation outlining their exceptional need, and a 2020-2021 FAFSA is not required for this new group of students.
The below information, including the July 16 application deadline, applies to all other eligible students.
June 28, 2021
Eligible students who have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 may apply for emergency funding grants.
The application will remain open through 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 16.
UCF this spring received more than $25 million in relief funds through the federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Initial rounds of awards were made in March and April.
Due to additional availability of funds, we are opening another application window to provide aid directly to eligible students, beginning with those who have the greatest need. Students who already received $1,000 in HEERF funding will not be considered for additional funding at this time and should not complete another application.
The emergency aid can help with costs suffered due to the coronavirus, a student’s cost of attendance — such as tuition, fees, housing, books and other supplies — as well as food, healthcare or child care needs. Undergraduate, graduate, M.D., UCF Online, and most non-degree seeking students enrolled this spring or summer and who meet eligibility requirements can receive the funds.
Here is what you need to know:
- To be eligible, you must have submitted an error-free 2020-2021 FAFSA. If you haven’t submitted a FAFSA, it’s not too late — fill out the form here before applying for HEERF aid.
- Most non-degree seeking students are eligible. Students enrolled in Continuing Education non-degree programs and Nursing Concurrent students are ineligible.
- Due to federal guidelines, students must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to qualify.
- The maximum HEERF award is $1,000. Students who already received a $1,000 HEERF award will not receive additional funding.
- Pell-eligible students who have not received CARES or HEERF funding will be prioritized. Non-Pell eligible students who did not receive CARES or HEERF funding will be the next priority group, followed by students who did not already receive HEERF funding and received less than the maximum CARES award. Awards will be made based on additional criteria until the funds are exhausted.
- Funds will be awarded in late July. Log onto myUCF and make sure you are signed up for direct deposit, the fastest way to receive the funds when they are awarded.
- HEERF grants do not need to be repaid.
For questions about HEERF awards, please review this detailed FAQ. Students should direct questions regarding HEERF funding and eligibility requirements to CARESAct@ucf.edu.