Skip to main content

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II

We have exhausted the HEERF II funds at this time. Feel free to review our HEERF II reporting web page for information on how the funds were used.

These funds provide direct emergency relief for Boise State students who have incurred financial hardship due to COVID-19.  Boise State’s goal is to immediately assist students with exceptional financial need, in accordance with the federal guidelines.  Funds will immediately be offered to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Degree-seeking in a financial aid eligible program
  • Currently enrolled in at least 6 credits in the spring 2021 semester
  • Title IV eligible as determined by the 2020-21 FAFSA  
  • Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
  • Have an official expected family contribution (EFC) between $0-$10,000
  • Have unmet need greater than $350
  • Not receiving a senior citizen, faculty/staff/dependent waiver

Approximately 4,565 students meet this criteria and will be funded $4.2M.

HEERF II amounts offered per student are determined by FAFSA EFC and enrollment level.  

Maximum amount: $1,200

Minimum amount: $350

Selected recipients will be notified by BroncoMail regarding the anticipated disbursement of funds via the student financial account.  This will allow recipients time to:

  • Set up direct deposit to ensure the most efficient and secure method of receiving HEERF II funds. 
  • Review mailing address in the Student Center; if you do not have direct deposit, a check will be mailed to the address on file and it may take up to two weeks to receive.
  • Recipients with a balance due will be assigned a to-do item in their Student Center to provide permission for HEERF II funds to apply to any student financial account balance. This is similar to the current process applied to other financial aid funds.  The HEERF II program requires permission to be obtained separately. 

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II

Boise State University has received its second installment of the HEERF from the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $5.4 million.

Apply for HEERF II

Boise State University is no longer accepting applications for HEERF II as all the funds have been exhausted. 

Approximately $1.2M was available via the application process.

Maximum amount: $1,200

Eligibility for HEERF II via application:

  • U.S. Citizen or eligible noncitizen; this can easily be determined by completing the 2020-21 FAFSA.  Contact the financial aid office if you are unable to complete the FAFSA.
  • Currently enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester.

Applications were reviewed by a committee of financial aid staff.  Applicants will be notified of the approval or denial of their request for HEERF II by BroncoMail

Frequently Asked Questions

HOW MANY STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE HEERF II AND HOW MUCH WILL THEY RECEIVE?

More than 4,500 students are receiving the funds for the spring 2021 semester.  The amount varies depending on the student’s financial situation, but most students will receive an amount ranging from $1200 to $350.  Students will be notified of the exact amount in their 2020-21 financial aid package, through their BroncoMail, and their student financial account.

HOW QUICKLY CAN STUDENTS RECEIVE THEIR HEERF II?

Students signed up for direct deposit will receive the money directly to their bank account on file within a few days.  Students without direct deposit will be mailed a check to their address on file which could take 2 weeks to receive.  Students should ensure their address is up to date in the system to avoid delays in receiving checks.

WHAT ABOUT STUDENTS WHO WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID PREVIOUSLY, BUT DUE TO COVID-19 RELATED JOB LOSSES NOW QUALIFY FOR AID?

The U.S. Department of Education requires that HEERF II recipients are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens as verified by the 20-21 FAFSA.  The regulations also require fund prioritization to the most financially needy students which was also determined by FAFSA and enrollment data.  

However, we have also allocated funds to distribute by an application process.  The application is available until April 23 or until the funds are no longer available.

WILL FUNDS BE AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER OR FALL SEMESTERS?

We expect that the funds will be fully spent during the spring 2021 semester; however, we will continue to award funds until they are no longer available.

ARE THESE FUNDS TAXABLE?

These funds are not taxable according to the IRS.  See their HEERF FAQ website for more information.

I DID NOT RECEIVE HEERF II IN THE FIRST SELECTION GROUP. CAN I BE CONSIDERED FOR FUNDING?

Funds are available through an application process.  Regulations require recipients to be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens as verified by the 2020-21 FAFSA.  Applications will be reviewed weekly until April 23 or funds are no longer available.

Deadlines:

April 23, 2021

WHICH FAFSA SHOULD I FILE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR HEERF II?

If you’re seeking federal financial aid, including HEERF, for the spring or summer semester, please complete the 2020-21 FAFSA.

IS OTHER FINANCIAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AT THIS TIME?

Boise State has emergency funds through the Dean of Students Emergency Fund, short term loans, Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS), alternative loans and a review of your existing financial aid packages due to special conditions. Please contact the Financial Aid office to discuss the available options.

We also recommend students review our private scholarships page and COVID-19 page for additional resources.