AWC Disburses Federal Stimulus Funds to Spring 2020 Students
May 11, 2020CARE ACT Grants to be direct-deposited, or mailed in check form
Yuma, AZ (May 8, 2020) – Students enrolled in for-credit classes on March 13 of 2020 will be receiving stimulus funds in their accounts or mailbox, as long as they qualify to receive such funds based on U.S. Department of Education rules.
The CARE ACT Relief grants, ranging from $100 to $800 depending on how many credit hours a student was registered for, are available for all students who qualify to be considered for Federal Financial Aid, whether or not they have ever received aid, or their families qualify for need-based aid.
Students who are enrolled in 12 credit hours or more will receive $800; students enrolled in 9-11.5, $500; 6-8.5 credits, $250; less than 6 credits, $100.
The U.S. Department of Education does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated (non-credit) students, dual-credit (currently in high school) students, or students enrolled in distance-only degree programs. Students who are enrolled in a mixture of online and face-to-face classes will receive funds based on the non-online credit hours they are taking.
“We’re required by federal law to make these funds available to our students, with very specific guidelines,” says Dr. Daniel P. Corr, AWC President. “It is our hope these funds will relieve some anxiety and suffering for students due to this disruption andpossible job loss or other family challenges. We also want our students, as soon as they’re able, to continue pursuing theireducational goals. We’re here to provide that link to their future.”
Students don’t need to apply for the grants, but the college is using current FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) completion to verify eligibility. Students who have not completed a FAFSA this year will not receive a grant. Students have until August 1, 2020 to complete a FAFSA.
The amount allocated to AWC for direct student dispersal is $2.26M in CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) ACT / HEERF (Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund). The college is also receiving additional funds through the CARES Act that can be used to support students through the disruption to classes in a variety of other manners, like tutoring and advising.
The first $2.26M also includes approximately $175,000 for a locally-administered Emergency Relief Fund, which is designed to fill the gap between immediate student need and the standard CARES ACT grants. Current students can find the application for the Emergency Relief Fund at azwestern.edu/covid. Verification and documentation are required for these funds. Application must be completed by August 1, 2020 to be considered.
Payment for the Emergency Relief Fund will be made after the August 1 application deadline. Cares Act grants will be disbursed to direct deposit accounts or Bank Mobile accounts within two days of May 13 if a student has a current FAFSA application. Students without a direct deposit account or Bank Mobile account will receive a paper check within 3 weeks of disbursement. Students can sign up for direct deposit using their checking account or creating an account, both with our partner Bank Mobile.
More information about the stimulus funding disbursements can be found at azwestern.edu/covid.
Contact:
Shahrooz Roohparvar
Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services
Arizona Western College
S.R@azwestern.edu