PNW Distributing $7.8 Million in New COVID-19 Relief Funds and Forgiving $1.7 Million in Student Debt

Once again this year, Purdue University Northwest has received federal funds related to pandemic relief that we will use to directly benefit students. I am pleased to share that we are disbursing $7.8 million directly to students who still have financial hardships and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, PNW has forgiven a total of $1.7 million in student debt for 2020-21.

The funds are available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP). PNW students who are enrolled for the fall 2021 semester and are eligible for the federal Pell Grant, and those who have a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file, should have received an email directly from the PNW Office of Financial Aid informing them that they will receive an award.

A total of $7.8 million of these funds were refunded directly to students, beginning September 20, to assist students and families with costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards are as follows:

• Pell Grant recipients will receive $1,000
• Students who have a FAFSA on file will receive $400. (This will not be an additional award for Pell-eligible students.)

In addition, PNW has forgiven $1.7 million in outstanding student balances incurred during the 2020-2021 academic year. Discharging this debt will assist students on their path to financial stability, lift financial holds to allow them to immediately resume their educational journey and provide access to their transcript for use in obtaining employment or for promotional opportunities due to previous course work.

As a university continually focused on helping our students complete their education, we are proud to drive these resources directly to students who need it most. We are pleased to be able to offer these additional funds that students may use for such expenses as food, housing, course materials, technology, and health care.

This is the third time in the past three semesters that PNW has facilitated the distribution of federal funds to students facing increased financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During 2020-2021, PNW distributed nearly $8.8 million in federal CAREs Act Emergency Funding directly to students. HEERF III, the American Rescue Plan and the CAREs Act were authorized by Congress and distributed through the U.S. Department of Education to help students recover expenses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Students who have questions about the disbursement or the process are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@pnw.edu or (855) 608-4600.

Faculty and staff who wish to support our students are encouraged to visit www.pnw.edu/giving and select Dean of Students Emergency Fund.

Liz Depew

Interim Executive Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management