August 25, 2021
University introduces Land-Grant Commitment with Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds III
Kansas State University has created a pledge to fulfill its land-grant mission by offering essential financial support to talented undergraduate students while pursuing a world-class education at the university. The pledge, known as the K-State Land-Grant Commitment, provides full-time, Pell-eligible undergraduate students enrolled for the fall term with a direct award equivalent to the full-time, in-state tuition not covered by other grants and scholarships.
The K-State Land-Grant Commitment is made possible as a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the associated Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, referred to as HEERF III. Through HEERF III, the federal government has allocated Kansas State University and other universities additional funding to prevent, prepare for and respond to COVID-19 and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
While following Department of Education guidelines, K-State is using the dollars to play a strategic role in the commitment to student success at the university as the COVID-19 impact has increased the amount of unmet financial need and strain on our families.
"We are fulfilling our land-grant mission by distributing the emergency funding to students with exceptional financial need, safeguarding continued access to education for our students," said Karen Goos, vice provost for enrollment management.
In addition to the K-State Land-Grant Commitment, the remaining HEERF III funds will be disbursed to eligible students with exceptional financial need by their enrollment status and estimated financial need in amounts ranging from $250-$1,000. The need will be identified by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FASFA. Students identified through this process do not need to request or apply for these funds; they will receive a notification of the award in their K-State email and the funds will be processed as a direct award through student accounts.
Students unable to complete a 2021-2022 FAFSA — i.e., international students, etc. — will have financial need determined by an application and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.