Emergency Relief Funding (HEERF CARES Act)

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)

The following guidelines are approved by Western Piedmont Community College for the disbursement of grants from the student portion of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF).  These funds were authorized by the

  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136, signed into law March 27, 2020
  • Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act,2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law December 27, 2020.
  • American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law March 11, 2021

In each case, WPCC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form.  The institution has used, or will use, no less than the minimum required amount of student funds received to provide HEERF funds in the form of emergency grants to students.

ARP: American Rescue Plan – HEERF III (Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds) & Supplemental Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE)

2022 SPRING Semester ARP & SAIHE Block Emergency Grants for Eligible Students

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, PL 117-2 (ARP) was signed into law. ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated to colleges and universities to assist students with emergency grants in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Under ARP, WPCC received an allocation of $2,046,826 to be awarded directly to students in the form of emergency grants to assist with expenses associated with COVID-19, including (but not limited to) food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care.

On August 20, 2021, WPCC received additional funding through Supplemental Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education (SAIHE) under PL 116-20 III Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations ACT, 2021, in the amount of $581,083, to be used as direct grants and support to students.

There is no application needed for 2022 SPRING Semester ARP & SAIHE Block Emergency Grant.  Eligible students will automatically receive a block grant based on the following criteria and will notified of their eligibility through WPCC email accounts.  ARP HEERF III Emergency Grant eligibility is based on:

  • Attending classes in the 2022 Spring term
  • Eligible Program of Study
  • Enrollment Status (FT, QT, HT, or LTHT)
  • No FAFSA required

To ensure that funding is awarded to those students with the highest need, ARP HEERF III Emergency Grant amounts for the 2022 SPRING semester will be prioritized and vary depending on the individual student’s EFC as determined by the 21-22 FAFSA and enrollment status as follows:

  0 EFC 1-5846 EFC 5847-8500 EFC 5712+ EFC or No FAFSA
Full-time: 12+ SHCs 1600 1100 750 500
Three-quarter-time: 9-11 SHCs 1450 1000 700 400
Half-time: 6- 8 SHCs 1300 900 650 300
Less-than-half-time: 1-5 SHCs 1150 800 600 250

 

ARP & SAIHE Block Emergency Grants are NOT considered to be financial aid or a loan.  Students will NOT be required to repay these funds.  Receipt of an emergency grant will have no effect on future financial aid eligibility.

ARP & SAIHE Emergency Block Grant checks for eligible students will go into the mail on Friday, February 18, 2022.

Students who have additional extenuating circumstances and unexpected financial emergency needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for additional emergency grant funding.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and to apply.

Please note that it is NOT too late to apply for financial aid.  To assist in determining financial need we highly recommend that ALL students complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Doing so will allow the Financial Aid Office to evaluate students for other sources of aid that may become available.

ARP: American Rescue Plan – HEERF III
(Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds)

2021 Fall Semester Block Grants for Eligible Students

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, PL 117-2 (ARP) was signed into law. ARP appropriated approximately $39.6 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and represents the third stream of funding appropriated to colleges and universities to assist students with emergency grants in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Under ARP, WPCC received an allocation of $2,046,826 to be awarded directly to students in the form of emergency grants to assist with expenses associated with COVID-19, including (but not limited to) food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care.

There is no application needed for 2021 Fall Semester ARP HEERF III Block Emergency Grant.  Eligible students will automatically receive a block grant based on the following criteria and will be notified of their eligibility through WPCC email accounts.  ARP HEERF III Emergency Grant eligibility is based on:

  • Eligible Program of Study
  • Enrollment Status (FT, QT, HT, or LTHT)
  • Must have High School Diploma, GED, or AHS
  • No FAFSA required

To ensure that funding is awarded to those students with the highest need, ARP HEERF III Emergency Grant amounts for the 2021 fall semester will be prioritized and vary depending on the individual student’s EFC as determined by the 21-22 FAFSA and enrollment status as follows:

  0 EFC 1-5846 EFC 5847-8500 EFC 8501+ EFC
or No FAFSA
Full-time:
12+ SHCs

1600

 1100 750

500
Three-quarter-time:
9-11 SHCs

1450

 1000 700

400
Half-time:
6- 8 SHCs

1300

 900 650

300
Less-than-half-time:
1-5 SHCs

1150

 800 600

250

 

ARP HEERF III Emergency Grants are NOT considered to be financial aid or a loan.  Students will NOT be required to repay these funds.  Receipt of an emergency grant will have no effect on future financial aid eligibility.

ARP HEERF III Emergency Grant checks for eligible students will go into the mail on Friday, September 24, 2021.

Students who have additional extenuating circumstances and unexpected financial emergency needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic may be eligible for additional emergency grant funding.  Please contact the Financial Aid Office for additional information and to apply.

It is NOT too late.  To assist in determining financial need we highly recommend that ALL students complete the 2021-2022 FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Doing so will allow the Financial Aid Office to evaluate students for other sources of aid that may become available.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II
(HEERF II)

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II), commonly referred to as the CARES Act, is authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020. In total, the CRRSAA authorizes $81.88 billion in support for education through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136.

Under CRRSAA, WPCC received an allocation of $578,525 to be awarded directly to students in the form of emergency grants to assist with expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including (but not limited to) food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care.

There is no application for the HEERF II Cares Act Emergency Grant.  Students will automatically be awarded the emergency funds based on the following criteria and will receive an email notification through their WPCC email accounts.

  • 2020-2021 FAFSA on file
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Enrollment Status (FT, QT, HT, or LTHT)
  • TIV Eligible Program of Study

These emergency grants are NOT considered to be financial aid or a loan.  Students will NOT be required to repay these funds.  Receipt of an emergency grant will have no effect on future financial aid eligibility.

Award amounts for the 2021 spring semester will vary depending on the individual student’s FAFSA EFC and enrollment status as follows:

  0 EFC 1-5711 EFC 5712+ EFC
Full-time (12 or more semester hours credit) 1275 875 450
Three-quarter-time (9-11 semester hours credit) 1075 675 350
Half-time (6- 8 semester hours credit) 780 475 262
Less-than-half-time (1-5 semester hour credits 580 275 225

 

Emergency Grant checks will be mailed to eligible students on Friday, March 5, 2021.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I)

Under the recently signed Certification and Agreement with the Department of Education, Western Piedmont Community College will receive an allocation of $1,157,050 in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I) authorized through provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The following guidelines are for the 50% student share of WPCC’s CARES Act allocation totaling $578,525. Further guidance will be issued for the disbursement of the second 50% of the College’s HEERF I CARES act allocation shortly.

Distribution Guidelines for the HEERF I CARES Act Student Share:

A curriculum (CU) student must have been enrolled in at least one seated or hybrid curriculum class as of March 13, 2020 for the spring 2020 semester.

A curriculum (CU) student must have a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet the following criteria as defined by Sec. 484 of the Higher Education Act:

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program;
  • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school;
  • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress;
  • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans;
  • Not be in default on a Title IV loan;
  • File “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification that includes
    • A statement of educational purpose;
    • Student’s SSN;
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen;
  • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges;
  • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits;
  • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently;
  • Have Selective Service registration verified;
  • Have Social Security Number verified; and
  • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Students meeting the above criteria may submit the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I) Request Form.  In completing the Form, students certify they incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations and instructional format due to COVID-19.

First consideration will be given to applications submitted by July 31, 2020.

Maximum Grant by Enrollment Status for the 2020 Spring term:

  • Full Time (12 or more semester hours credit):  $1,030
  • Three-Fourths Time (9-11 semester hours credit): $770
  • Half Time (6-8 semester hours credit): $515
  • Less than Half Time (1-5 semester hours credit): $260

These guidelines will be followed subject to the availability of CARES Act funding.

Frequently-Asked Questions about HEERF I CARES Act Funding

What do I have to do to receive a HEERF I CARES Act Grant?

  • Have a completed 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.
  • Enrolled in a least one seated or hybrid class as of March 13, 2020 during the spring term.
  • Submit the HEERF I CARES Act Funding Request Form by July 31, 2020.

When will I receive my HEERF I CARES Act money?

If you qualify by meeting all federal guidelines for HEERF I CARES Act grant funds, you will receive your grant via check sent by mail. We anticipate the first direct disbursements will be sent by mid-June with further disbursements continuing through the summer. By federal law we must disperse all funds received within one year.

Are students required to submit a request form for the funds?

Students who meet the federal criteria, have a 2019-2020 FAFSA on file, and meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements for Title IV (federal financial aid) eligibility must complete and submit the HEERF I CARES Act Funding Request Form by July 31, 2020.

Are students who graduated in Spring 2020 eligible to receive a HEERF I CARES Act grant?

 Any student enrolled in an eligible program on March 13, 2020, and is eligible for Title IV funding (federal financial aid), is eligible to receive HEERF I CARES Act grant funds. Therefore, a student who has recently graduated and meets these requirements, is eligible to receive a HEERF I CARES Act grant.

Do I need to be enrolled for the 2020 summer term to receive a HEERF I Cares Act grant?

A student enrolled in an eligible program on March 13, 2020, and is eligible for Title IV funding (federal financial aid), is eligible to receive HEERF I CARES Act grant funds. Therefore, a student who does not attend for the summer, but meets these requirements, is eligible to receive a HEERF I CARES Act grant.

The Education Department has said that to receive a grant a student must meet the definition of “eligible student” under Title IV. Does the student also have to be enrolled in a Title IV “eligible program” to receive such a grant?

Yes, students must be enrolled in an eligible program of study to receive a HEERF I CARES Act grant. Federal regulations require that students receiving Title IV funding (federal financial aid) must maintain satisfactory academic progress.

How can I use my HEERF I CARES Act Grant?

How you spend the grant is up to you but according to the intent of the funds, a student should use this money for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (including eligible expenses related to your cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and child care).

What if I owe a balance to WPCC for tuition or other expenses?

You can still be eligible to receive a HEERF I CARES Act disbursement even if you owe a balance to WPCC. The college will not deduct any fees from your HEERF I CARES Act grant. However, any outstanding balances will remain on your account. How you use your HEERF I CARES Act Emergency Grant is your choice. However, you must still pay off any balances to prevent issues with registration or collections.

Can a student choose to use their grant to pay an outstanding tuition or college bill?

Yes, how you spend the money is up to you. If you wish to use the HEERF I CARES Act grant to pay for tuition you can take the money received from your check and use those funds to pay any outstanding bill with the college. This may seem like an unnecessary step, but the Department of Education requires WPCC to transfer the money directly to the student. It cannot be placed on the student account.

Are international students eligible to receive grants?

No. International students are not eligible for funding.

Are DACA students eligible?

No. DACA students are not eligible for funding.

If I am enrolled in online classes only at WPCC, am I eligible?

No. Students who were enrolled online only in the Spring 2020 semester are not eligible under Federal guidelines. If a student was enrolled in at least one hybrid or face to face class at the time of disruption (March 13, 2020) and the student meets all other federal requirements, then the student is eligible for a HEERF I CARES Act grant and will be contacted soon with disbursement information.

Do I have to complete a FAFSA to receive a HEERF I CARES Act Grant?

Yes, if you have not completed a FAFSA for 2019-2020, you will need to do so as soon as possible so that you can be considered for a HEERF I CARES Act grant.

Federal regulations require that students receiving Title IV funds (federal financial aid) must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Will the HEERF I CARES Act Grant impact my financial aid package?

If you are awarded a HEERF I CARES Act grant, this grant will not impact your financial aid award package.

I didn’t get an email from Financial Aid, but I think I am eligible. Who can I contact?

Contact the Financial Aid Office at 828-448-6046.

CARES Act Funding Reports

50% Student Share Allocation Reports

Certification and Agreement

WPCC has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement (if required) to use no less than the minimum student portion of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) under CARES, CRRSAA, and ARP for emergency grants to students.

The total amount of emergency grant funds that the institution has been authorized to award under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) section (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs is $3,203,876.

  • HEERF I: CARES – $578,525
  • HEERF II: CRRSAA – $578,525
  • HEERF III: ARP – $2,046,826
Total Amount of HEERF Grants Distributed to Students

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the Student Portion of Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act:

  • As of June 15, 2020 = $98,850
  • As of July 15, 2020 = $166,993
  • As of July 29, 2020: $208,970
  • As of August 15, 2020 =$409,990
  • As of September 15, 2020 = $414,880
  • Quarterly Report, September 30, 2021 = $575,305
  • Quarterly Report, December, 2020 = $577,365
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = $578,525 Fully expended

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under the Student Portion of Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA:

  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = $578,525 Fully expended

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed during the quarter to students under the Student Portion of Section 2003 (a)(1) of ARP:

  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = $0
  • Quarterly Report June 30, 2021 = $0
  • Quarterly Report September 30, 2021 = $1,203,695.45
  • Quarterly, Report December 30, 2021 = $20,256.21
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2022 = $822,874.34 Fully expended
Estimated Total Number of Students Eligible to Receive HEERF Grants

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 of the 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:

  • As of June 15, 2020 =501
  • As of July 15, 2020 = 527
  • As of July 29, 2020 = 538
  • As of August 15, 2020 = 467
  • As of September 15, 2020 = 468
  • Quarterly Report, September 30, 2020 =468
  • Quarterly Report, December 31, 2020 = 470
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = 472

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA:

  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 =714

The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 2003 (a)(1) of ARP:

  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = 0
  • Quarterly Report, June 30, 2021 = 718
  • Quarterly Report, September 30, 2021 = 1102
  • Quarterly Report, December 31, 2021 = 1102
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2022 -= 1182
Total Number of Students Receiving HEERF Grants

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant from the Student portion under Section 18004 (a)(1) of the CARES Act:

  • As of June 15, 2020 = 108
  • As of July 15, 2020 = 183
  • As of July 29, 2020 = 250
  • As of August 15, 2020 = 467
  • As of September 15, 2020 = 468
  • Quarterly Report, September 30, 2020 = 468
  • Quarterly Report, December 31, 2020 = 470
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2021 = 472

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant from the Student portion under Section 314 (a)(1) of CRRSAA:

  • As of March 31, 2021 = 714

The total number of students during the quarter who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant from the Student portion under Section 2003 (a)(1) of ARP:

  • As of March 31, 2021 = 0
  • As of June 30, 2021 = 0
  • Quarterly Report, September 30, 2021 = 1102
  • Quarterly Report, December 31, 2021 = 14
  • Quarterly Report, March 31, 2022 = 1182

50% Institutional Share Allocation Reports

These reports are in PDF format and can be opened with the free Adobe Reader software.