June 20, 2023 - Additional 2023 Update: COVID-19 CARES Emergency Grant Fund

Virginia State University (VSU) is pleased to announce the final distribution of HEERF funds to all spring 2023 enrolled students. No application required.   

Overview- Student Portion: 

VSU signed the Certification Agreement for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) on April 11, 2020 and submitted the Certification Agreement on April 16, 2020.  VSU received HEERF III Funds on May 14, 2021 for $9,355,676. 

Reporting Information: 

In fall 2021, 4,261 out of 4,300 students received $1,870,894.50 in HEERF III funds.   

In spring 2023, 4,370 out of 4,370 students received $6,087,353 in HEERF III funds. 

The remaining $1,397,428.50 will be disbursed the week of June 19, 2023 using the below priorities. 

Additional information may be found on our website https://www.vsu.edu/news/coronavirus/index.php. In addition, an e-mail communication will be sent to the VSU student body.  

Spring 2023 Additional Funds Awarding Philosophy: 

All students that were enrolled during the spring 2023 semester will receive an additional HEERF refund. These funds may be used for tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) and childcare.  

HEERF III Emergency Funds were calculated based on the priorities listed below: 

Priority 1: 

Pell grant recipients are defined as students with exceptional need. Therefore, all students that received a spring 2023 Pell grant disbursement (undergraduate) will receive $370.11 in CARES Grant. No application required. The funds will disburse the week of June 19, 2023.  

Priority 2: 

All other students (undergraduate, graduate, professional and doctoral) will receive $242.75 in CARES Grant. No application required. The funds will disburse the week of June 19, 2023. 

Refund Information for students: 

VSU anticipates refunding the additional spring 2023 funds no later than June 23, 2023. The refund will be sent to your bank via direct deposit if you have an active account on file or a check will be mailed to your permanent address. Students are encouraged to set-up direct deposit at http://www.vsu.edu/student-accounts/refunds.php. For questions about refunds, please contact the Student Accounts Office at bursar@vsu.edu.  

By accepting the refund, students are acknowledging they have a need for these funds to help with educational costs, or that they have incurred emergency costs arising due to Coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care. No application required. 

For questions about CARES Grant eligibility, please email finaid-covid19@vsu.edu.