Covid-19 CARES/CRRSA Reporting Information

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a Federal Law enacted by Congress, includes funds to assist qualified students in need during the pandemic. WTC’s 2020 Spring semester credit students who meet the qualifications below, will receive a disbursement in the next several days. Should you have questions or need additional information about the award, please call (843) 355-4167 or (843) 355-4166 from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm to speak with one of our student support representatives.

Q: Who qualifies for the CARES Act Funds?

A: To be eligible for the CARES Act grant funding you must meet all the following criteria:

1) You must have been enrolled at WTC as of March 13, 2020 – the day President Trump declared a national emergency as a result of COVID-19 outbreak, which was the last day of class prior to the transition to online learning.

2) You must also be eligible for Federal Title IV funding by meeting all of the following requirements:

a. Completed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) with all requirements completed and demonstrated financial need;

b. Have a high school diploma or GED;

c. Have met Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements.

d. And be enrolled in an eligible program of study.

Students who are not eligible for the CARES Act grant include: international, dual enrollment, transient, non-degree seeking, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), students who are in default on a student loan or have received an overpayment of federal funds and students who were totally enrolled in all online courses on or before March 13, 2020.

Q: How are CARES Act funding decisions made?

A: WTC used information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and guiding federal regulations to determine which students were eligible for a CARES Act grant. This process provided the framework to direct these grants to students with the greatest financial need. Federal regulations required students to be Title IV (federal financial aid) eligible and to have been enrolled in courses at the time the U.S. government declared a national emergency on March 13, 2020.

Q: How and when will I receive the disbursement?

A: A check will be mailed to your address on record. Payments will be disbursed the week of May18.

Q: How do I know how much I will be awarded?

A: Awarding methodology and award amounts will be published on our website.

Q: How can I use the disbursement?

A: According to the Federal Department of Education it can be used for expenses related to the cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Q: Will my disbursement be reduced by any outstanding balances that I may still owe?

A: No. If you meet the eligibility requirements, your disbursement amount will NOT be reduced by any outstanding balances that you may owe.

Q: Will I be required to pay this money back?

A: No, this is a grant and you will not be required to pay it back.

Q: I am not eligible for federal financial aid. Am I eligible to receive a CARES Act grant?

A: Unfortunately, no. The Department of Education guidelines require students to be eligible for federal financial aid in order to be eligible for a CARES Act grant.

Q: Are dual enrollment, DACA, transient, or non-degree students eligible for a CARES Act grant?

A: Unfortunately, no. Dual enrollment, DACA, transient, and non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid; therefore, they are not eligible for a CARES Act grant either.

Q: I am on SAP suspension for my financial aid. Am I eligible for a CARES Act grant?

A: Unfortunately, no. Students currently on suspension for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) are not eligible for federal financial aid; therefore, they are not eligible for a CARES Act grant either.

Information from Williamsburg Technical College concerning the CARES Act:

1. On April 18, 2020, Williamsburg Technical College signed and returned to the Department Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

2. The total amount of funds that the institution received from the Department of Education on May 4, 2020, pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $294,653.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students beginning April 24, 2020 under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and as of May 18, 2020 the total was distributed to students $294,617. The total amount as of December 31, 2020 was $294,653.

4. The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 370.

5. The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is 366 as of May 18, 2020. The total number of students as of December 31, 2020 was 367.

6. The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act were:

a. The college produced a report of all spring term students enrolled as of March 13, 2020 who were Title IV eligible and not enrolled in an exclusively online program.

b. Based on the funding available, the college made the decision to award $866 to students who received Pell awards and $615 to students who had met all other Title IV eligible requirements.

7. Additional instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants include: Students awarded the emergency funds were notified by mail and checks were mailed to the address of record.