Financial Aid Menu
Financial Aid > CARES Act Funding
CARES Act Information
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27th, 2020. The CARES Act includes emergency grant funding to assist qualifying students with expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 and for institutions to use funds to cover any costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction.
CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Funding
Western Nevada College provided the U.S. Department of Education with notification of the intent to award CARES Act Emergency Grant funds through the submission the Certification and Agreement on April 15, 2020. The college was awarded a total of $681,735 in total CARES Act Emergency Grant funds. CARES Act Emergency Grant funds have been distributed using a hybrid method of automatic qualification and an application process.
The U.S. Department of Education has provided guidance on student eligibility requirements.
Based on the guidance from the US Department of Education, the college has developed a formula to identify students who have had a significant disruption to their education due to the movement of in-person courses to an online format. Additionally, the college is using guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and using the FAFSA to ensure student eligibility for Title IV federal assistance. Students identified through this process did not need to apply.
Students who meet these eligibility requirements in Spring 2020, did not need to apply for funding and were automatically awarded in May 2020;
- Had been enrolled as a degree-seeking student in one or more in-person courses for Spring 2020 semester;
- Completed the 2019/2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) listing WNC’s school code (013896);
- Meet all of the following eligibility requirements to receive Federal Student Aid (referred to as Title IV). These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;
- You have a valid Social Security number;
- If you are male, you are registered with the Selective Service;
- You have a high school diploma, GED, or completed high school in an approved homeschool setting;
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements;
- Completed your Financial Assistance Checklist and have no outstanding To Do List Items;
- Not already be completely withdrawn from the Spring 2020 semester;
- Not be included in one of the following student groups: Apprenticeships, Prison Groups, JumpStart/High School Dual Enrollment, Winter Session Only, Faculty/Staff or their dependent using Grant in Aid.
Students who meet these eligibility requirements in Fall 2020, did not need to apply for funding and were automatically awarded in September 2020;
- Had been enrolled as a degree-seeking student in one or more in-person courses for Fall 2020 semester and had the instruction mode in one or more courses changed due to the pandemic;
- Completed the 2020/2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) listing WNC’s school code (013896);
- Meet all of the following eligibility requirements to receive Federal Student Aid (referred to as Title IV). These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- You are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen;
- You have a valid Social Security number;
- If you are male, you are registered with the Selective Service;
- You have a high school diploma, GED, or completed high school in an approved homeschool setting;
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements;
- Completed your Financial Assistance Checklist and have no outstanding To Do List Items;
- Not already be completely withdrawn from the Fall 2020 semester;
- Not be included in one of the following student groups: Apprenticeships, Prison Groups, JumpStart/High School Dual Enrollment, Winter Session Only, Faculty/Staff or their dependent using Grant in Aid.
The college has allocated a portion of CARES funds to help otherwise qualifying students who are not identified through the automatic awarding process. To be eligible, students must meet the following criteria:
- Had been enrolled as a degree-seeking student in one or more in-person courses for Spring 2020 semester;
- Completed the 2019/2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) listing WNC’s school code (013896);
- Meet all eligibility requirements to receive Federal Student Aid (Title IV, HEA);
- Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements;
- Complete Financial Assistance Checklist and have no outstanding To Do List Items;
Students who were not identified as part of the formula, need to apply through the CARES Act Emergency Grant Application. The application opened May 4, 2020 and closed September 28, 2020.
Award amounts will vary based on Enrollment Level and Estimated Family Contribution. Award amounts begin at $100 and are capped at $1000.
The college will apply CARES Act Emergency Grant funds similar to other financial assistance. The Controller’s Office will process a payment through the general student refund process using the student’s preferred fund delivery method. Students are encouraged to ensure Direct Deposit Accounts or Mailing Address are up-to-date in the myWNC Student Center.
CARES Act Emergency Grant funds will not be applied to any outstanding balance students have with the college or be included on on the 1098T tax documentation.
CARES Act Emergency Grant funds will begin being released via direct deposit and checks May 6, 2020 for Spring 2020.
CARES Act Emergency Grant funds will begin being released via direct deposit and checks September 29, 2020 for Fall 2020.
CARES Act Institutional Funding Information
Western Nevada College subsequently provided the U.S. Department of Education with a second Certification and Agreement and was awarded a total of $681,734 in CARES Act Institutional funds. This funding allows WNC to expand our remote programs, build our IT capacity and train faculty and staff to operate effectively in a remote learning environment.
Lastly, on June 3, 2020, WNC was awarded $88,119 from the CARES Act – Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions allocation under Section 18002(a)(2). This funding may be utilized for student grants and to defray institutional expenses, which may include lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with the transition to distance education, faculty and staff training, and payroll. WNC expects to expend these funds on Fall 2020 instructional expenditures.
CARES Act Student Loan Relief Questions
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump on March 27th, 2020. The CARES Act also includes relief for federal student loan borrowers. Learn more about the relief options available to you at the links below.
Federal Student Aid Coronavirus Forbearance information for Students and Parent
Reporting Requirements
CARES Act Student Emergency Grant Funds Distribution
- Certification and Agreement Submission Date
- April 15, 2020
- Total CARES Act Funds Available
- $681, 735
- Total Title IV Eligible Students
- 1,262
- Total Amount of CARES Funds Distributed to Students –
- $555,600 (as of 5/8/2020)
- $565,900 (as of 6/8/2020)
- $565,000 (as of 7/8/2020)
- $566,400 (as of 8/6/2020)
- $681,735 (as of 9/29/2020)
- Total Number of Students Awarded in Automatic Qualification Process
- 1146
- Total Number of Students Awarded in Application Process
- 27 (as of 7/8/2020)
- Awarding Method – Awarding methodology is referenced in the in Qualification Methods.
- Instructions/Notification to Students:
Note: Information reported above is in compliance with U.S. Department of Education guidance provided on May 6, 2020.
CARES Act Institutional Funds
- Certification and Agreement Submission Date
- May 8, 2020
- CARES Act Funds Available
- $681,734
CARES Act- Developing Hispanic Serving Institution Funds
- Award Date
- June 3, 2020
- Award Amount
- $88,119
Quarterly Fund Usage Reports
Website information updated on the following dates:
- May 8, 2020
- June 8, 2020
- July 8, 2020
- August 6, 2020
- September 28, 2020
- October 22, 2020
- January 11, 2021
Questions
WNC’s Financial Assistance Office can help answer questions related to the CARES Act Emergency Grant process. Please contact the office at finaid1@wnc.edu.