TROY Cares - Financial Aid

CARES Act Student Emergency Aid

All available student funding provided through the CARES (HEERF I), CRRSAA (HEERF II), & ART (HEERF III) has been distributed to date. These funds were distributed by a grant through the US Department of Education after TROY signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement. TROY assures that the applicable amount of funds designated under the CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP programs have been used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

HEERF I

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I) bill was passed by Congress and signed by the President in 2020 to give awards to students who had COVID-19 expenses. These specific funds were given to Troy University through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

In order for a student to be eligible for these funds, the student had to have filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-2020 academic year and showed eligibility to receive federal student aid. Students who did not file the FAFSA and/or were strictly online students were not eligible for CARES funds. All potentially eligible students had to file an online application to indicate they had expenses due to COVID-19.

Troy University awarded student grants in the amount of $4,272,042 for emergency relief funds for students disrupted by COVID-19 virus. TROY has 7,212 students that were potentially eligible to receive these funds. As of November 6, 2020, we had distributed all available funds to 4,617 students.

HEERF II

Troy University was awarded additional funding in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II, through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

In awarding funds through CRRSAA, Troy University had to prioritize enrolled students who show exceptional need. Online students were now eligible to receive these funds, but international students were not eligible. Students who filed the 2020-2021 FAFSA and were Pell Grant eligible demonstrated exceptional need, though all potentially eligible students still had to file an online application to state that they had exceptional need due to COVID-19.

Troy University awarded grants in the amount of $4,272,042.00 for emergency relief funds for students disrupted by the COVID-19 virus. There were 9,788 students that were potentially eligible to receive these funds. As of April 29, 2021, we have distributed all available funds to 5,529 students.

HEERF III

In March 2021, Troy University was awarded $14,921,189 additional funding in the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds III, through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.

In awarding funds through the ARP, Troy University had to prioritize enrolled students who show exceptional need. Unlike HEERF I & II, all enrolled students (including international students) were now eligible for ARP funds. Students who filed the 2021-2022 FAFSA and were receiving a Federal Pell Grant automatically showed exceptional need. All other students were notified by email they would need to file an online application to indicate that they had exceptional need as a result of COVID-19, through such reasons as medical expenses, loss of employment, etc.

In the summer of 2021, Troy University awarded ARP funds to students with high exceptional need (full Pell Grant recipients). The total amount awarded came to $396,000 for 792 students.

In the fall of 2021, it was estimated that 13,460 students were eligible to receive funds. Troy University awarded ARP funds to three (3) Tiers of students – 1. Full Pell Grant recipients; 2. Remaining Pell Grant recipients; and 3. Students who indicated that they have had exceptional need due to COVID-19. Students in Tier 1 received $1,000. Students in Tier 2 received $550. Students in Tier 3 receive $375. A second ARP was awarded to two (2) Tiers of students 1. Pell Grant recipients; and 2. Students who indicated that they have had exceptional need due to COVID-19. Students in Tier 1 received $145. Students in Tier 2 received $130. The total amount awarded came to $7,659,290 for 9035 students.

Spring American Rescue Plan

In Spring 2022, Troy University estimated that 12,448 students were eligible to receive funds. Troy University awarded ARP funds to three (3) Tiers of students – 1. Full Pell Grant recipients; 2. Remaining Pell Grant recipients; and 3. Students who indicated that they have had exceptional need due to COVID-19. Students in Tier 1 received $1,200. Students in Tier 2 received $650. Students in Tier 3 received $500. A second ARP was awarded to two (2) Tiers of students 1. Full Pell Grant recipients; and 2. Remaining Pell Grant recipients. Students in Tier 1 received $150 and students in Tier 2 received $125. As of March 28, 2022, we have distributed all available funds totaling $7,279,200 to 7,763 students.