Rowan University is participating in the second round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) aid that was authorized under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), which was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.  Rowan received $23,165,569.00 in HEERF II funds of which $7,235,848.00 will be disbursed to students in need of emergency assistance.  In addition, Rowan was also the recipient of $991,751.00 as part of the Strengthening Institutions Program.    

Students May Apply For Federal Relief Funds Starting March 15, 2021

Rowan University is committed to providing financial aid to students in need, and all the more during the crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The most immediate source of aid is federal funding, which begins with the second round of Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) aid that was authorized under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. 

Starting March 15, 2021, students will be able to apply for assistance by completing the HEERF II - Student Emergency Assistance Form.  All requests for assistance will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis until all the funds are disbursed.


Distribution of Grants

The maximum emergency assistance grant is $2,325.00 per student, with "low resourced" students receiving a multiplier of 1.5x if their estimated family contribution (EFC) is between 0 and 6,195.  A team of professionals from the Offices of the Bursar and Financial Aid will be reviewing requests.  Funds will be disbursed to students through direct deposit to personal accounts on record or through a check mailed to the address on record.  It may take up to three (3) weeks from the date of each student’s submission to receive payment.

Process and Evaluation

In alignment with Federal recommendations, Rowan developed a point system to help evaluate who was in most need and helped determine how to distribute the funds based on a rubric that measures five (5) components of award. Students self-disclosed their “need” by answering a series of questions. The point system allows for 100 maximum points based on the following categories:

• Food Insecurity
• Housing Security
• Course Material/Technology
• Unemployment/Reduction in Hours
• Low-Resourced Students 1.5x

Eligibility

As per the federal requirements, all currently enrolled students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizen with a valid social security number are eligible for the HEERF II funding. International, undocumented, and DACA students continue to be ineligible; however, students enrolled in distance education programs are now eligible for HEERF II funds.  Additionally, Rowan University employees (except those hired as student workers) are also ineligible. 

We are committed to helping you make the most of the investment you have already made in your education. We encourage you to take advantage of the support available to you as soon as possible.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our staff, or you can reference our FAQ page here.

Total Number of Awards to Date

As of April 13, 2021, there were 5,475 awards made amounting to $7,235,848.00.  At that time, Rowan University had approximately 18,500 students that were eligible to apply for assistance.