College students may be eligible for stimulus checks under the recently passed $1.9 trillion relief package. The legislation includes a provision that expands eligibility for the payments to include dependents, which now includes college students who are claimed by their parents on their taxes. The amount of the stimulus check will depend on the student’s income and filing status. Eligible students could receive a payment of up to $1,400. The payments will be phased out for students with higher incomes, and students who are claimed as dependents by parents with high incomes may not be eligible for a payment.
Student Financial Aid Eligibility
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) provides financial aid to students who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is distributed to colleges and universities, which then determine how to distribute the funds to students. The CARES Act, which established the HEERF, did not specifically mention stimulus checks for college students, but some students may be eligible for HEERF grants or loans.
- To be eligible for HEERF aid, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled at an eligible institution of higher education
- Have a financial need
- Not have received a Pell Grant for the 2020-2021 award year (for HEERF I grants)
| HEERF Fund | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| HEERF I | $30.7 billion | Students who meet the eligibility criteria above |
| HEERF II | $22.7 billion | Students who meet the eligibility criteria above and have exceptional financial need |
| HEERF III | $39.6 billion | Students who meet the eligibility criteria above and have lost income due to the pandemic |
Students who are eligible for HEERF aid can use the funds to cover expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and rent. Students should contact their college or university’s financial aid office to learn more about HEERF funding and how to apply.
## Tax Dependency Status and College Students’ Stimulus Check Eligibility
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 expanded the eligibility for stimulus checks to include more college students. However, the tax dependency status of college students plays a crucial role in determining their eligibility.
### Tax Dependency Status
* A **dependent** is a person who is claimed as a qualifying child or qualifying relative on someone else’s tax return.
* An **independent** is a person who cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return and meets certain income requirements.
### Eligibility Based on Tax Dependency Status
* **Dependent College Students:**
* If you are claimed as a dependent on your parents’ tax return, you are generally not eligible for a stimulus check.
* However, if you meet certain income requirements and meet the following criteria, you may still be eligible:
* You are at least 19 years old
* You are not enrolled in school full-time
* You can provide more than half of your own support
* You were not the dependent of another person in the previous year
* **Independent College Students:**
* If you are not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, you are generally eligible for a stimulus check, regardless of your student status.
### Table: Stimulus Check Eligibility for College Students
| Tax Dependency Status | Stimulus Check Eligibility |
|—|—|
| **Dependent** | Generally not eligible, but may qualify if meeting specific criteria |
| **Independent** | Eligible for stimulus check |
### Additional Information
* The IRS will use the tax information from 2020 to determine your dependency status for stimulus check eligibility.
* If you have filed your 2020 tax return and you believe you should be eligible for a stimulus check, you should contact the IRS.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) was established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide financial assistance to students and institutions of higher education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A portion of the HEERF funds were allocated to students as emergency financial aid grants.
- Students were eligible to receive grants of up to $1,500.
- The grants were intended to help students cover expenses related to the pandemic, such as food, housing, and technology.
- Students did not need to repay the grants.
The HEERF grants were not considered stimulus checks. Stimulus checks were direct payments made to individuals by the federal government as part of the economic impact payments authorized by the CARES Act.
The HEERF grants were available to students regardless of their income or financial need.
The distribution of HEERF grants was left to the discretion of individual institutions of higher education. Institutions could choose to distribute the grants to all students or to target the grants to students with the greatest financial need.
| Year | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $14 billion |
| 2021 | $23 billion |
| 2022 | $2.75 billion |
Proposed Legislation
The proposed legislation that could provide stimulus checks to college students is the College Student Emergency Fund Act. This bill was introduced by Representative Ilhan Omar and Senator Bernie Sanders. The bill would provide direct payments of $1,200 to college students who are enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution of higher education. The payments would be made on a monthly basis for up to six months.
The bill has been endorsed by several organizations, including the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and the American Psychological Association. However, the bill has not yet been passed by Congress.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at an accredited institution of higher education
- Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Must have a Social Security number
- Must not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
Timeline
- The College Student Emergency Fund Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 22, 2020.
- The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor.
- The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Chances of Passage
The chances of the College Student Emergency Fund Act passing Congress are uncertain. The bill has bipartisan support, but it is unclear whether it will be able to pass the Republican-controlled Senate. The bill is also likely to face opposition from the Trump administration.
Implications
If the College Student Emergency Fund Act is passed, it would provide much-needed financial assistance to college students who are struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The payments would help students cover the costs of tuition, housing, food, and other expenses.
Well, there you have it, folks! The latest buzz on whether college students will be getting some sweet stimulus cash. It’s a complicated issue, but we’ll keep our eyes peeled for any updates. In the meantime, thanks for sticking with us, and don’t forget to swing back by later for the next installment of this ongoing saga. Until then, stay chill!