HEERF III Grant Application Now Open

This message was sent to the WPI community.

On September 1st the WPI community was notified about how we will distribute the approximately $3.6 million in federal funding the university has received as part of The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III). 



Beginning today, Wednesday, September 22, 2021, undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in, and charged for, A Term of fall 2021, (earning credits), may apply for a one-time grant up to $1000. Individual grants will not exceed $1,000.



The funding is limited; therefore, not every applicant will receive funding. HEERF III requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Federal Pell grants, in the awarding of emergency student grants. However, students do not need to be only Federal Pell grant recipients or financial aid applicants. In addition, HEERF III explicitly provides that financial aid grants to students may be provided to students exclusively enrolled in distance education. Federal Pell grant recipients who received phase 1 funding of HEERF III are eligible to apply for this funding as well.



The application period for this grant will run from Wednesday, September 22, 2021 through Wednesday, October 6, 2021. Click here to apply.

Only eligible students will be able to access and submit the application. 

If you need assistance with the application, email finaid@wpi.edu. 



Eligibility is based on - 

• students who are enrolled in, and charged for, A Term of fall 2021 as of September 15, 2021.
  • Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. 
  • International, DACA and undocumented students are also eligible to apply

The decision whether the applicant will receive a grant will be made on a case-by-case basis, determined by demonstrated need and may include a review of any financial-related documents the applicant has on file with the Financial Aid Office (e.g. 2021-2022 FAFSA). The number of applicants who will be granted an emergency student aid grant will be subject to the availability of funds.



Decisions will be made, and communicated via email, to students by the end of October 2021.



In order to provide grants as quickly as possible, it is imperative that students sign up for direct deposit. If you need assistance on how to do so, click here. If you do not update or sign up for direct deposit by Wednesday, October 6, 2021, you will receive a physical check sent to your home address on file with WPI. Students may also request to hold the funds on their student accounts towards their tuition bill.



For more information on HEERF III funding, please visit our FAQ page or email WPI’s Office of Financial Aid at finaid@wpi.edu. Thank you!



Sincerely,



Jessica Sabourin

Director of Financial Aid