Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds Under the CARES Act

EMERGENCY GRANTS UNDER THE CARES ACT
Sections 3504, 18004, and 18008 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), enacted on March 27, 2020, allow higher education institutions to use certain funds allocated by the Department of Education to support students and higher education institutions with expenses and financial needs related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Williamson College has received a limited amount of CARES Act funding, designated under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), to assist students with emergency grants. These one-time emergency grants are to help students meet current urgent expenses that occurred from the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

The main criterion for a HEERF grant is the demonstration of a genuine expense and that the capacity for continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship. Applicants must be able to provide documentation supporting the expense if requested by the college.

The student portion of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund has been expended.

FAQ’s

Eligibility Criteria:
• Student must be currently enrolled as an in-resident student, whose coursework is not exclusively online.
• Student must be Title IV (federal aid) eligible. WC students must have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file in the Financial Aid Office.
• Student must have experienced a hardship caused by campus disruption created by COVID-19.
• Expenses must have occurred subsequent to March 13, 2020.

If I did not file a FAFSA, may I still do so?
If you are eligible to file a FAFSA, but have not yet filed for the 2020-2021 academic year you may do so at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The last date to file your 2020-2021 FAFSA is June 30, 2021. However, based on the limited funds available, we recommend filing as soon as possible. You must have a FAFSA on file before your application will be reviewed.

What are eligible expenses?
Eligible expenses are those expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to Covid-19 (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as housing, technology, healthcare, and child-care expenses). Applicants are required to confirm that they incurred eligible expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Normal expenses are not eligible.

What documentation is required to be submitted with the application?
This will depend on the individual request.

Will receiving this emergency grant reduce my financial aid?
No, this fund does not negate nor replace financial aid, and it is a one-time grant.

How will students be notified if they are approved for funding?
Students will be sent an email notifying them they are approved for emergency funding. These funds are limited and are not guaranteed. Williamson College will process the applications in the order in which they are received.

How will the grant be disbursed?
The Business Office will mail checks.

Do I need to report HEERF grants on my federal tax return?
The IRS has issued the following guidance FAQs on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act that clarifies that CARES Act aid should be treated as a “qualified disaster relief payment” and not be treated as taxable income.

What is the Application Process?
Read the application carefully and submit it with supporting documentation to the Financial Aid Office.

COVID-19 Financial Assistance Request Form

For more information, you may email financial.aid@williamsoncc.edu or susan@williamsoncc.edu.

REQUIRED REPORTING FOR HEERF I, II, III

CARES Act Funding 30-Day Report: Report 1

CARES Act Funding 45-Day Report: Report 2

CARES Act Funding 45-Day Report: Report 3

CARES Act Funding Final 45-Day Report: Report 4

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Quarter Ending September 30, 2020

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Quarter Ending December 31, 2020

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Quarter Ending March 31, 2021

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act Quarter Ending June 30, 2021