ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III)

The Cooper Union is processing the Department of Education’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III)—the allocation of $1,022,836 to Cooper students. This fund is open to all Cooper Union students, with priority to those who have met the Title IV eligibility requirement. 

The 2021 – 22 FAFSA is not required, however encouraged. Students who demonstrate high need/low EFC, determined through their FAFSA, will be prioritized and supporting documentation may be waived. 

All students who do not have a 2021 – 22 FAFSA on file, graduate students, international students, DACA students, and students with other statuses, must complete the ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) application. Supporting documents may also be needed. 

The ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) funding can be used to support tuition and fees, housing, food, healthcare, course materials, technology, and childcare.

The application for Spring 2022 will start on Friday,  December 10,2021 and will close on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Due to limited availability, the funds will be awarded based on self-identified needs, supporting documentation (if needed), on a first come, first serve basis until all funds are exhausted. 

To reduce the application burden for the students who have already filed their FAFSA, we have predetermined awards based on EFC and current FA award availability:

  1. Students who are Pell eligible will receive $1,200 for the 2021 fall semester and $1,200 for the 2022 spring semester. No application is needed.
  2. Students who are not Pell eligible but with an EFC less than $30,000 will receive $700 for the 2021 fall semester and $700 for the 2022 spring semester. No application is needed.
  3. Students who are not Pell eligible but with an EFC greater than $30,000 and less than $50,000 will receive $500 for the 2021 fall semester and $500 for the 2022 spring semester. No application is needed.
  4. Students who are not Pell eligible but with an EFC between $50,000 – $70,000 will receive $300 for the 2021 fall semester and $300 for the 2022 spring semester. No application is needed.
  5. Students in the above 1 – 4 categories who wish for funding in addition to what is stated above will need to complete the ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) application and supply the required supporting documents.  

For all other students applying for the ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III), awards will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis, based on self-identified need until all funds are exhausted. Award amount may be different from the amount requested and will range from $100 to $1,000. 

The ARP: American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) and COVID Emergency Fund committee will review and process your application within 10 business days and notify you within 5 business days once a decision is made. The award will be directly deposited into your bank account within 5 to 10 business days of your notification. 

If you have not already enrolled in direct deposit (a student account, not a payroll account), sign up now through Student Self-Service to enable the fastest disbursement of funds.

Please feel free to set up an appointment by clicking here or send an email to cucovidef@cooper.edu for any questions.
 

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.