American Rescue Plan
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). The ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated for HEERF to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $17,159,777 from ARPA was available for distribution in FY22 An estimated
enrollment in FY22 of 26,000 could be eligible. As of August 31, 2022, Blinn has distributed
$17,159,777 of ARPA funds to 17,018 eligible students for Emergency Financial Aid Grants.
Total Disbursements of the $17,159,777 made to students by the quarterly reporting dates (per U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements).
- October 10, 2021 - $17,000,000 - disbursed by September 30, 2021
- After September 30, 2021 and before January 10, 2022 - $159,777
- April 10, 2022 - $0
- July 10, 2022 - $0
Students who are registered at Blinn College for the summer 2021 and have unfunded CRSAA applications or the fall 2021 semester who are registered for college credit, continuing education, workforce credit, or dual credit courses. Fall 2021 funds will be awarding after September 15. Awarding for spring 2022 will happen in February 2022 if there are any funds remaining to award.
There is not a separate ARP application. All students are eligible and will be identified by the
Financial Aid Office. Priority will be shown to students who have completed a 2021-2022 FAFSA and who have a pell eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and are registered for classes when awarding of the grants begins. Blinn College will award ARP funds based on the following circumstances:
- Students with a 2021-2022 FAFSA, registered for 6 or more hours, and have a pell eligible EFC will receive $2000
- Students with a 2021-2022 FAFSA who are declared and verified as homeless will receive $1500.
- Students who aged out of the foster care system will receive $1500
- Students who do not have a pell eligible EFC on their 2021-2022 FAFSA, or no FAFSA on file, and are in 6 or more hours will receive $800.
- Dual credit students will receive $400
- Workforce students in non-college credit classes will receive $400
- All other students who are enrolled in between 1 and 5 credit hours and not listed above will receive $400.
Federal funds are limited and eligible students will be awarded on a first come first serve basis as long as funds are available. The ARP grant will not be counted as financial aid resource and therefore not affect financial aid eligibility.
Eligible students will be identified and awarded the emergency grant funds beginning in September for the fall 2021 semester. There is not a separate application. The ARP funds will not be applied to any Blinn College balance. Funds will be refunded to students through Student Choice Refunds.
- Log in to the Student Portal via myBLINN.
- Click on the Nelnet icon labeled "Student Choice Refunds". This will direct you to the Nelnet site.
- On your first visit, follow the prompts to Create an Account with Nelnet.
- After creating an account, select “Manage Refunds” to Enroll in a Refund Method.
- Fill in the necessary information. Your refund will then be sent using the option you selected.
Once funds are disbursed to the student's account, the student will be notified via email by the Financial Aid Office.