HEERF III emergency financial aid grant

The following message was sent on Friday, Nov. 5 to students who qualified for the HEERF III emergency financial aid grant.

Dear student,

We are writing today to let you know of a grant you will be receiving soon in your student account. This grant is being offered to eligible Wake Forest students who met financial aid eligibility criteria.

The U.S. Department of Education established the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) to provide emergency financial aid grants to students who experienced unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants are part of the ARP Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III).

How you will receive your grant

• The grant will be processed on Wednesday, November 10th; checks will be mailed and direct deposits will be sent beginning on Friday, November 12th, due to the Veterans Day holiday.
• Please set up Direct Deposit if you have not already done so. The easiest and fastest way to get your grant is via direct deposit. If you had not previously signed up for direct deposit, please do so now. This website has detailed instructions. Please note that it will take a day or two for the direct deposit to reach your bank, so do not be alarmed if you do not receive it immediately; please allow 3 business days for processing.
• Check: If you are not enrolled in direct deposit, you will receive a paper check sent to your primary address on file with the University.
  • To find your address on file, check WIN:
    • Go to WIN > Personal > Your Personal Information > Personal Information to view your address. If your address has changed, please update it in WIN by Monday, November 8.
  • When you receive your paper check, please cash it upon receipt. If you have not received your paper check by Monday, November 29, contact Student Financial Services for assistance.
  • We strongly recommend you enroll in direct deposit, so a check does not get sent to your permanent address during the 2021-22 school year.

Tax implications

IRS Frequently Asked Questions clarify that emergency financial aid grants paid to students under HEERF III for unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic are not included in students’ income because the amounts are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. Students should consult their individual tax advisors for additional information regarding this exclusion.

Questions
Please use
this form to submit questions.

We know that COVID has caused many disruptions in the lives of Wake Forest students. We hope that this HEERF III funding helps alleviate some of the financial pressures that you may have experienced.

— Student Financial Services