Wallace State CARES Act Disbursements to Students

The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), enacted by Congress on March 27, provides for a two-part allocation to higher education institutions. The first wave of the allocation of Emergency Financial Aid Grants for Students is intended for FAFSA-eligible students whose education was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants provide direct aid to students to help to offset their broad educational costs, which extend even beyond tuition to technology, food, housing, course materials, health care, childcare, and so on.

In compliance with CARES Act reporting requirements, Wallace State Community College submits the following:

1. An acknowledgment that the institution signed and returned to the Department 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.

Wallace State Community College signed and returned to the U.S. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and will use no less than 50 percent of 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 will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Wallace State has received $11,270,486.00 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the College's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

3. The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

As of May 21, 2020, Wallace State has awarded $1,178,999.39 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of July 5, 2020, Wallace State has awarded $1,866,794.78 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 19, 2020, Wallace State has awarded $1,853,571.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 3, 2020, Wallace State has awarded $1,890,294.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of November 17, 2020, Wallace State has awarded $1,969,994.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of January 1, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $2,022,504.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 15, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $2,022,504.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of April 1, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $2,022,054.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 14, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $2,007,954.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 30, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $3,872,364.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 15, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $3,872,364.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 1, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $5,956,614.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of December 27, 2021, Wallace State has awarded $10,015,224.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 20, 2022, Wallace State has awarded $10,000,204.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of March 31, 2022, Wallace State has awarded $11,277,954.50 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to eligible students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

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.

As of May 21, 2020, an estimated 2,609 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of July 5, 2020, an estimated 3,547 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 19, 2020, an estimated 3,543 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 3, 2020, an estimated 3,543 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of November 17, 2020, an estimated 3,542 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of January 1, 2021, an estimated 3,543 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 15, 2021, an estimated 3,543 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of April 1, 2021, an estimated 3,542 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 14, 2021, an estimated 3,503 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 30, 2021, an estimated 6,285 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 15, 2021, an estimated 6,285 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 1, 2021, an estimated 6,920 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of December 27, 2021, an estimated 8,941 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 20, 2022, an estimated 8,932 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of March 31, 2022, an estimated 10,758 students have been deemed eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

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.

As of May 21, 2020, 2,609 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of July 5, 2020, 3,547 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 19, 2020, 3,543 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 3, 2020, 3,543 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of November 17, 2020, 3,542 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of January 1, 2021, 3,543 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 15, 2021, 3,543 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of April 1, 2021, 3,542 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 14, 2021, 3,503 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 30, 2021, 6,285 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of August 15, 2021, 6,285 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of October 1, 2021, 6,920 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of December 27, 2021, 8,941 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of February 20, 2022, 8,932 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of March 31, 2022, 10,758 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

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.

March 2020 through May 2020

Wallace State students who are eligible to receive this aid are those who are: a) enrolled in a degree or certificate program in Spring 2020; b) enrolled in at least one traditional course that was transitioned online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; and c) FAFSA-eligible (requirements include U.S. Citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with the Selective Service, if applicable; a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting). Additional criteria considered by the College in determining FAFSA-eligibility include: having a FAFSA application on file; achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress; not being in default on federal student loans; drug and other conviction restrictions defined by the U.S. Department of Education. For a complete list of FAFSA-eligibility requirements, click here.

The CARES Act provides institutions with significant discretion on how to award this emergency assistance to students. In accordance with federal and state guidance, Wallace State will provide a benefit to all eligible students based on enrollment intensity, similar to allocation distributions used by the Department of Education in awarding Pell grant funds.

Eligible students initially received disbursements in the following amounts:

$450 – 12 credit hours or more
$350 – 7-11 credit hours
$250 – 4-6 credit hours
$150 – up to 3 credit hours

Additionally, Wallace State provided refunds to:

– Dorm students who left the campus residence prior to the end of the semester, a proportional amount based on date of departure from the dorms, in accordance with the student eligibility guidelines outlined above

– Students who had enrolled in the meal plan, who were served for only part of the semester, based on the unused days remaining on the plan, in accordance with the student eligibility guidelines outlined above

The remaining balance of CARES Act Student Emergency Financial Aid funds are being awarded to eligible students in the form of grants based on individual need.

Beginning Summer 2020, Wallace State Community College will be distributing at least $7 million to students in the coming year. Students who are enrolled and who qualify under the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) will receive these additional funds during the semester(s) in which they are enrolled. The grant allocation will also include high school students taking classes at Wallace State through the Dual Enrollment Program. The majority of Wallace State students will be qualified for the award under federal guidelines. Payments will vary. Wallace State will use existing enrollment information to allocate funds, which will be automatically distributed to all qualified students. Students do not need to contact the college to request these funds.

Students enrolled, who were Pell-eligible, were prioritized and received higher amounts in disbursements. We looked at the total amount of funds allocated for students to determine how much would be distributed over several semesters.

7. Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Email/Letter to Emergency Financial Aid Grant recipients

Email to potentially eligible students lacking FAFSA

Press Release: https://news.wallacestate.edu/?p=16706