According to the U.S. Department of Education, in addition to the $30.75 billion distributed last spring through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) has been authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) to distribute $81.88 billion in support of education.

The CRRSAA allocated $30.6 million to the University of Pittsburgh, of which $15.3 million has been dedicated toward direct support of students across all 5 campuses.

In a statement made by the university, “Pitt will distribute this funding directly to approximately 15,200 graduate and undergraduate students who, as of February 18, 2021, had a 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file, demonstrated financial need, met eligibility requirements to receive federal Title IV financial aid, and had a federal student aid disbursement for spring 2021.”

Eligible students should have received an amount of $600 or $1,050 depending on their financial need based on FAFSA information. Students will have been notified through their campus email addresses if they were eligible.

Grants have been posted to PittPAY and deposited in full to these student’s PittPAY eRefund bank account. The grant will not apply to any unpaid balance the student may owe.

The grant amount will have appeared in PittPAY on the Account Activity tab for spring 2021, and these funds will have automatically been sent to the student’s bank.

Pitt tells students they “Should log into PittPAY with their student username and password to confirm that they have designated an active and valid bank account on the eRefunds tab.

“Students who have signed up for PittPAY eRefunds will receive the money directly in the bank account they have designated on the eRefunds tab within 2-3 business days. Students who have not registered for PittPAY eRefunds will receive a check at their home address on record in the PeopleSoft Student Center within 10-14 days.”

For the spring term, several groups of graduate and undergraduate students received aid due to disrupted wages, stipends, or meal plan access. Pitt is continuing to monitor for any impacts to summer 2021 student stipends.

The university will ensure that relief grants are available to both domestic and international students in the case that they are needed.

All students, regardless of CRRSAA grant eligibility, can apply for emergency assistance. Students whose financial situation has changed should apply for aid for the future and can reach out to a financial aid counselor to learn more about the application process.

For more information on available funding or what the university is doing to aid students’ financial burden, visit these websites:

• The Charles Kunkle Emergency Loan Fund | University of Pittsburgh Johnstown | University of Pittsburgh
• What Students Can Expect from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act | Pittwire | University of Pittsburgh
• CRRSAA Funding | Power of Pitt | University of Pittsburgh
• Student Payment Center – University of Pittsburgh