American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) FAQs
The federal government has provided additional COVID related funding under the American Rescue Plan Act, 2021 (ARP) and its provision of Emergency Financial Aid grants for students. As part of the ARP stimulus package, Thomas Jefferson University has been awarded grant funding that will provide students with additional resources to meet unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. ARP funding is intended, and should be used for, any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care (including mental health) and child-care expenses. While we understand that each and every one of our students has experienced an upheaval of their day-to-day life as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to ensure that students with the most urgent need are the first to receive these emergency funds.
The application will be open starting Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 at 9 a.m. and will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. Students should check their Jefferson.edu email for details.
Please review the FAQs below for additional information.
1. What are ARP Act grants to students?
The ARP Act authorizes educational institutions to provide direct emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses associated with the cost of attendance related to the “disruption of campus operations” due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. How much in ARP Act grant funds was awarded to Thomas Jefferson University?
Thomas Jefferson University received just over $5.6 million as part of the ARP.
3. Are all Thomas Jefferson University students eligible to apply for funding under this programs?
All Jefferson students who are registered and currently attending (virtually or in person) may apply for the ARP Act grant at this time.
4. What level of funding is available to students?
Students may apply for a maximum of $6,495 to cover unexpected costs (housing, food, transportation, medical, daycare, family expenses, other educational expenses, other personal expenses) resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. If I received funding previously from the JeffSecure Program, can I also apply for funding under this program?
Yes, if the funding you are applying for under this program is not related to expenses you covered with the funding you received previously from JeffSecure.
6. How do I apply for funding under this program?
Log into Banner https://banner.jefferson.edu and then click on the ARP Act grant to sign into the online application.
7. How do I apply for funding under the JeffSecure Program?
Visit: https://www.jefferson.edu/life-at-jefferson/jeffsecure-emergency-fund.html for more information on JeffSecure.
8. When will I know if I am receiving funding under this program?
Students will be notified of their award no later than Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.
9. If I’m approved, how will I receive funding?
The approved amount of your ARP Act grant will be deposited directly to the account you have designated as your direct deposit account for refunds from your tuition account. Alternatively, you may elect on your application to have your grant applied to your outstanding Jefferson balance. If the money is provided directly to you, the money will be unencumbered and you may use the funds for the purpose that you identified in your application.