HEERF Announcement - Student Support Funding Update

Dear Bison Community,

The last several years have been challenging, particularly for families who continue to navigate major public health and financial challenges in their households. As Howard remains empathic toward students overcoming these great obstacles, please know that we continue to follow the Howard Forward strategic plan as a guide for acquiring resources to support students through merit and need-based financial assistance programs.

Part of our work is participation in the Federal Higher Education Relief Fund (HEERF), which since 2020, has awarded institutions with funding to provide discretionary relief for students experiencing hardship. The University has administered more than $38 million to assist students with enhanced teaching and learning resources and in managing educational expenses or emergency costs.

More than $19 million has been disbursed for qualifying expenses, including tuition and fees, food, housing, technology, childcare, medical (including mental health care) , and other areas of emphasis. 

Today we are announcing another round of disbursements to approximately 2,575 students, totaling more than $759,000. If you are eligible to receive a grant, the funds will be added as a direct deposit to the bank account associated with your Bison Web profile. The fastest way for you to receive your grant is through the bank. Eligible students without direct deposit will have a check mailed to the mailing address on file with the University. Please update your address in Bison Web to avoid mailing errors. Mail times will vary according to the United States Postal Service delivery times.

We wish you much success for the upcoming academic year.

Excellence in Truth and Service,

Office of the Bursar