Administrators, staff and faculty at the University of North Texas are deeply committed to our students and understand the impact COVID-19 has had on them financially. Since summer 2020, UNT has distributed nearly $30 million in COVID-19 Student Success Awards to help students with education-related expenses. With federal funding authorized under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), UNT's Pandemic Debt Relief Program will eliminate outstanding account balances for more than 4,300 students. The program follows U.S. Department of Education guidelines and divides available funds among the greatest number of students. UNT's Pandemic Debt Relief Program is one of the many ways we are helping students limit college debt, and we will continue to identify other ways to support those with the greatest need. We anticipate additional funding will be made available to enrolled students this fall.

FAQs

Was there an application process?

No. Eligible students were notified directly.

What were the eligibility requirements?

Students who were enrolled between March 13, 2020, and the Spring 2021 semester with an outstanding balance of $6,000 or less through the Spring 2021 semester as of 8 a.m. July 23, 2021.

How do I know if I was eligible?

Eligible students were notified via their official UNT email account on July 23, 2021, in an Official Notice from the President with the subject line “You are a Pandemic Debt Relief Program recipient.” Login to your MyUNT student account to view your adjusted account balance.

I noticed a Pandemic Debt Relief Program credit was applied to my student account. Does this mean my student account balance has been paid off?

The Pandemic Debt Relief Program only applied to balances through the Spring 2021 term. Your account may reflect balances due for terms after Spring 2021.

Will the Pandemic Debt Relief Program discharge my Summer 2021 balance?

The Pandemic Debt Relief Program eliminated account balances through the Spring 2021 semester for eligible students. Summer 2021 balances were not included in the program.

Why am I ineligible?

Due to specific federal guidelines and available funding, some student accounts were not eligible for this program. However, there are other ways we can help you. Engage with the Start Green Stay Green initiative to connect with UNT's financial resources. After completing the form on the Start Green Stay Green website, you'll be contacted by caring financial experts from an appropriate office, including the Student Money Management Center, Student Financial Services, Financial Aid or the Dean of Students. We will work hard to help you identify financial resources.

Are funds received through the UNT Pandemic Debt Relief Program taxable?

No. Pandemic Debt Relief awards made because of an event related to the COVID-19 national emergency are not included in the student's gross income and will not be reported on the 1098-T tax form.

Is there help available if my income has changed?

Possibly. There is a process to notify Student Financial Aid and Scholarships about special circumstances.

What are the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III)?

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students total $76.2 billion.