Like many institutions nationwide, Marquette University has received funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) I, II, and III, which provides emergency financial aid grants to eligible students who face significant financial challenges. The university is enormously grateful to the federal government for these student and institutional funds.HEERF I and II Funds were received and distributed to eligible students in the 2020-21 academic year. The university will receive approximately $17.4 million in HEERF III Funds in the upcoming academic year. As directed by the U.S. Department of Education, half of that — $8.7 million — is earmarked for Marquette students who demonstrate the most need.
Here is a breakdown of this one-time HEERF I, II and III funding and how it was used:
- In total, Marquette has received approximately $34 million in HEERF funding in response to COVID-19, with almost half of that funding – $15.5 million – going directly to our students who demonstrate the most need.
- The remaining total institutional allocation of $18.5 million (from HEERF I, II and III combined) covered only a fraction of Marquette’s economic losses incurred in the recent and upcoming years. COVID-19 related economic losses in Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021) alone exceeded $45 million from lower enrollment; lost revenues; de-densifying residence halls; and COVID-19-related expenses for testing, quarantine and isolation space, increased cleaning and other mitigation measures.
HEERF Fund distribution for students in need
Marquette has followed U.S. Department of Education guidelines to disburse the funds to our students who demonstrate the most need, particularly those who are Pell eligible. Under the federal guidelines, funds are given directly to eligible students for eligible expenses, which include course materials and technology as well as food, housing, health care and childcare.
Information for students in need
Pell Grant eligible students and Pell recipients:
- You will automatically receive a grant to be disbursed on or after Sept. 10, 2021.
- Students enrolled in direct deposit will begin to see the funds no earlier than the week of Sept. 13; checks will be mailed the following week.
- Students who haven’t already signed up for direct deposit are encouraged to do so by Wednesday, Sept. 8. Follow these direct deposit instructions.
- Because these grants are automatic, there is no further action required by those students or their families. These students will receive an email indicating they are eligible and will receive funds.
Non-Pell but Needy Title IV eligible students:
- You will automatically receive a grant to be disbursed on or after Sept. 10, 2021.
- Students enrolled in direct deposit will begin to see the funds no earlier than the week of Sept. 13; checks will be mailed the following week.
- Students who haven’t already signed up for direct deposit are encouraged to do so by Wednesday, September 8. Follow these direct deposit instructions.
- Because these grants are automatic, there is no further action required by those students or their families.
- These students will receive an email indicating they are eligible and will receive funds.
- Title IV eligibility is determined by filing the FAFSA form.
Other emergency financial relief opportunities
HEERF III funds are not the only emergency funds the university has available to assist students who express significant need — Marquette is also making the university’s endowed Bridge to the Future fund available.
To be considered for these emergency funds through Marquette, students must call Marquette Central at (414) 288-4000 to indicate that their financial circumstances have drastically changed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and that they need additional assistance.