Through the American Rescue Plan Act, a third round of financial assistance is available for Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College Students who have been impacted by COVID-19.

In May of 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced the ARP funding is available for institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the Covid-19 pandemic. ARP allocated $164,042,000 to the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, with $4,585,381 allocated to Bemidji State and $692,257 to Northwest Tech.

There will be three stages of ARP fund distribution. Award distribution began on Aug. 9 to students enrolled in Summer 2021 courses and will extend throughout the Fall 2021 and Spring of 2022 semesters.

Due to a successful round of Summer 2021 distribution, the BSU Student Senate leadership chose to split the remaining ARP dollars between the fall and spring semesters using a 50/50 ratio, while the NTC Student Senate leadership opted to split the money between the fall and spring semesters using a 60/40 ratio.

Students eligible for Federal Pell Grants will automatically receive $1,115 if enrolled at BSU and will get $940 if enrolled at NTC. Students whose expected family contribution is less than $15,000 will also receive awards of $860 at BSU and $670 at NTC. Funding will be sent via mail or dispersed to BSU student accounts on Sept. 23 and NTC accounts on Sept. 24.

BSU students may also apply for individual relief awards up to $1000, while NTC students can apply for up to $750. Individual ARP grants are available to eligible DACA and international students as well. The application for individual ARP grants will be available Sept. 17 and will distributed on a rolling basis to eligible students.

To be eligible for Fall 2021 ARP funding, students cannot have dropped, withdrawn or had a last day of attendance before Sept. 4.

By — Emma Hudziak