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CARES Act Fund Reports

View the detailed reports for Wayne State College’s allocation of CARES Act and HEERF funds.

What is the CARES Act and HEERF?

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), passed in March 2020, directs institutions receiving the provided funds to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). The CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Institutions receiving the funds are required to submit and publish reports on their funds and usage.

Questions? Contact:

Angela Fredrickson
Vice President Administration and Finance
Hahn Administration 201D
402-375-7220
[email protected]

Initial HEERF Fund Reports

Section 18004I if the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” of the “Act”), Pub. L. No. 116-136 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), direct institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004I of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

  • Published May 28, 2020

    The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004I of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department.

    1. WSC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and 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.
    2. WSC will receive $1,260,780 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    3. As of May 26, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to WSC students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $1,205,204.50.
    4. There are approximately 2,139 students at WSC who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    5. As of May 26, 2020, 975 WSC students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    6. WSC chose a two-pronged approach to identify eligible recipients and determine Financial Aid Grant amounts among the recipients. The first prong involved a brief survey to eligible students to determine the financial impact to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The second prong involved a matrix of preexisting financial data from FAFSA filers. Amounts of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students were determined using defined parameters based on student need and survey responses.
    7. In an attempt to honor the Department of Education guidance to promptly make available emergency financial aid grants directly to students, WSC focused on keeping the survey short and easy to use to facilitate both high participation rates and rapid turn-around times.

    Both the survey and the e-mail announcing the survey were vetted with a group of 50 students prior to release to ensure readability and clarity. Feedback from those students who responded was integrated into the final version. The survey was released at 4:30PM on April 24, 2020. Multiple communication channels were used to notify the 2,139 eligible students of both the opportunity to take the survey and the deadline for completing the survey (May 1, 2020 at 12:00AM). The communication channels included: an email message from President Rames with an explanation of and link to the survey, Rave text message, pop-up message on the myWSC campus portal, and a message in WildcatsOnline (student dashboard).

  • Published July 1, 2020

    The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an updated report to the Secretary thirty (30) days after the date when the institution received its allocation and every forty-five (45) days thereafter from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department.

    1. WSC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and 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.
    2. WSC will receive $1,260,780 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    3. As of July 10, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to WSC students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $1,260,780.
    4. There are approximately 2,139 students at WSC who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    5. As of July 10, 2020, 1,016 WSC students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    6. WSC chose a two-pronged approach to identify eligible recipients and determine Financial Aid Grant amounts among the recipients. The first prong involved a brief survey to eligible students to determine the financial impact to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The second prong involved a matrix of preexisting financial data from FAFSA filers. Amounts of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students were determined using defined parameters based on student need and survey responses.
    7. In an attempt to honor the Department of Education guidance to promptly make available emergency financial aid grants directly to students, WSC focused on keeping the survey short and easy to use to facilitate both high participation rates and rapid turn-around times.

    Both the survey and the e-mail announcing the survey were vetted with a group of 50 students prior to release to ensure readability and clarity. Feedback from those students who responded was integrated into the final version. The survey was released at 4:30PM on April 24, 2020. Multiple communication channels were used to notify the 2,139 eligible students of both the opportunity to take the survey and the deadline for completing the survey (May 1, 2020 at 12:00AM). The communication channels included: an email message from President Rames with an explanation of and link to the survey, Rave text message, pop-up message on the myWSC campus portal, and a message in WildcatsOnline (student dashboard).

  • Published Sept. 28, 2020

    The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an updated report to the Secretary thirty (30) days after the date when the institution received its allocation and every forty-five (45) days thereafter from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department. However, the revised Electronic Announcement (August 31, 2020) decreases the frequency of reporting after the initial 30-day period from every 45 days thereafter to no later than 10 days after the end of each calendar quarter (September 30, December 31, March 31, June 30) thereafter.

    1. WSC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education and 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.
    2. WSC will receive $1,260,780 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    3. As of July 10, 2020, the total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to WSC students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is $1,260,780.
    4. There are approximately 2,139 students at WSC who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    5. As of July 10, 2020, 1,016 WSC students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
    6. WSC chose a two-pronged approach to identify eligible recipients and determine Financial Aid Grant amounts among the recipients. The first prong involved a brief survey to eligible students to determine the financial impact to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The second prong involved a matrix of preexisting financial data from FAFSA filers. Amounts of the Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students were determined using defined parameters based on student need and survey responses.
    7. In an attempt to honor the Department of Education guidance to promptly make available emergency financial aid grants directly to students, WSC focused on keeping the survey short and easy to use to facilitate both high participation rates and rapid turn-around times.

    Both the survey and the e-mail announcing the survey were vetted with a group of 50 students prior to release to ensure readability and clarity. Feedback from those students who responded was integrated into the final version. The survey was released at 4:30PM on April 24, 2020. Multiple communication channels were used to notify the 2,139 eligible students of both the opportunity to take the survey and the deadline for completing the survey (May 1, 2020 at 12:00AM). The communication channels included: an email message from President Rames with an explanation of and link to the survey, Rave text message, pop-up message on the myWSC campus portal, and a message in WildcatsOnline (student dashboard).

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for CARES Act - Quarter Ending 9-30-20

HEERF II Fund Reports

In December 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021, a massive package of legislation that included fiscal year 2021 funding and additional pandemic relief, was signed into law. Included in the FY 2021 omnibus was the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, which provided $22.7 billion to the HEERF established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Funds under the CRRSA Act are commonly referred to as HEERF II grant funds.

Wayne State College began distribution of HEERF II grant funds in 2021. Specifically, these funds may be used for “emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).”

For HEERF II funds, Wayne State College’s goal is to prioritize assistance to students with the greatest financial need, in accordance with federal guidelines. Funds are automatically awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Enrolled in a degree-seeking, financial aid eligible program
  • Enrolled in the Spring 2021 semester
  • Have an official expected family contribution (EFC) between 0-5,711
    1. Wayne State College was allocated $1,260,780 in HEERF II funds under CRRSAA section 314(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    2. As of March 31, 2021, Wayne State College has distributed a total of $6,300 in HEERF II grant funds to students.
    3. There are approximately 2,495 students at WSC who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under HEERF II.
    4. As of March 31, 2021, 7 WSC students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF II.
    5. Grant recipients were selected based on the criteria outlined above.
    6. Students that did not qualify for funding based on the criteria outlined and contacted Wayne State College about funding were asked to provide additional information explaining their situation and how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. If the student can prove how they have been impacted by COVID-19, an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF II will be authorized.
    7. Funding recipients received the following instructions and guidance related to the HEERF II funding:

    Wayne State College  has awarded you a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grant today which will be issued to you as a refund. This grant is intended to provide you with financial support to address your academic needs and mitigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 emergency. Specifically, HEERF grants may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

    You can log in to WildcatsOnline to see your grant amount. Please be sure to select the Academic Year 2020-2021 tab.

    If you are enrolled in Direct Deposit, the grant amount will be deposited in your bank account within 7-10 days. If you are not enrolled in Direct Deposit, your refund check will be available in the Student Financial Services Office within 10-14 days. You will receive a follow-up email when the check is available.

    Since this grant will be refunded to you, it will not be used to pay outstanding charges owed to WSC. Please check your student account in WildcatsOnline to determine if you owe charges on your student account.

    Thank you.

    Undergraduate Distribution by EFC (amounts pro-rated for less than full-time enrollment)

    EFC Range: 0
    Amount: $1,800
    Number of Recipients: 7

    EFC Range: 1-1,499
    Amount: $1,500
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    EFC Range: 1,500-2,999
    Amount: $1,200
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    EFC Range: 3,000-4,499
    Amount: $900
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    EFC Range: 4,500-5,711
    Amount: $600
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    Graduate Distribution by EFC and Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment

    Enrollment Status: Less than full time
    Amount: $500
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    Enrollment Status: Full time
    Amount: $1,000
    Number of Recipients: N/A

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for CARES Act - Quarter Ending 3-31-21

    1. Wayne State College was allocated $1,260,780 in HEERF II funds under CRRSAA section 314(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    2. As of June 30, 2021, Wayne State College has distributed a total of $1,123,716 in HEERF II grant funds to students.
    3. There are approximately 2,495 students at WSC who are eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in the Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under HEERF II.
    4. As of June 30, 2021, 935 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF II.
    5. Grant recipients were selected based on the criteria outlined above.
    6. Students that did not qualify for funding based on the criteria outlined and contacted Wayne State College about funding were asked to provide additional information explaining their situation and how they have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. If the student can prove how they have been impacted by COVID-19, an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF II will be authorized.
    7. Funding recipients received the following instructions and guidance related to the HEERF II funding:

    Wayne State College has awarded you a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grant today which will be issued to you as a refund. This grant is intended to provide you with financial support to address your academic needs and mitigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 emergency. Specifically, HEERF grants may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or child care.

    You can log in to WildcatsOnline to see your grant amount. Please be sure to select the Academic Year 2020-2021 tab.

    If you are enrolled in Direct Deposit, the grant amount will be deposited in your bank account within 7-10 days. If you are not enrolled in Direct Deposit, your refund check will be available in the Student Financial Services Office within 10-14 days. You will receive a follow-up email when the check is available.

    Since this grant will be refunded to you, it will not be used to pay outstanding charges owed to WSC. Please check your student account in WildcatsOnline to determine if you owe charges on your student account.

    Thank you.

    Undergraduate Distribution by EFC (amounts pro-rated for less than full-time enrollment)

    EFC Range: 0
    Amount: $1,800
    Number of Recipients: 225

    EFC Range: 1-1,499
    Amount: $1,500
    Number of Recipients: 170

    EFC Range: 1,500-2,999
    Amount: $1,200
    Number of Recipients: 150

    EFC Range: 3,000-4,499
    Amount: $900
    Number of Recipients: 139

    EFC Range: 4,500-5,711
    Amount: $600
    Number of Recipients: 79

    EFC Range: Less than full time
    Amount: Various
    Number of Recipients: 5

    Graduate Distribution by EFC and Full-Time and Part-Time Enrollment

    Enrollment Status: Less than full time
    Amount: $500
    Number of Recipients: 122

    Enrollment Status: Full time
    Amount: $1,000
    Number of Recipients: 45

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for CARES Act - Quarter Ending 6-30-21

HEERF III Fund Reports

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law authorizing the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III), providing additional pandemic relief funding totally $39.6 billion to support institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. HEERF funding was initially established through the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (HEERF I) and expanding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act (HEERF II).

Wayne State College began distribution of HEERF III grant funds in 2021. Specifically, these funds may be used for “emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).”

For HEERF III funds, the Department of Education requires that institutions prioritize assistance to students with exceptional need in accordance with federal guidelines. Funds in the amount of $3,000 are automatically awarded to students who meet the following criteria:

  • Pell-eligible or have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less
  • Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate in the Fall 2021 semester
    1. Wayne State College was allocated $3,791,770 in HEERF III funds under ARP section 314(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    2. As of September 30, 2021, Wayne State College has distributed a total of $3,765,000 in HEERF III grant funds to students.
    3. As of September 30, 2021, 1,255 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF III.
    4. Grant recipients were selected based on the criteria outlined above.
    5. Funding recipients received the following instructions and guidance related to the HEERF III funding:

    Dear Student,

    You are receiving this email as notification of a Higher Education Relief Fund Grant distribution.

    We have added a $3,000 Fall 2021 grant to your account which will be issued as a refund to you. This is a one-time grant for the Fall semester only.

    Since this will be a refund to you, the funds will not be directly applied to pay outstanding WSC charges. We understand you may need assistance to help support your education expenses including tuition, fees, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare, or other related educational expenses.

    If you would like to use this grant towards your direct costs at Wayne State, we encourage you to save the grant funds after they are refunded to you to use towards these expenses.

    Below is an estimated timeline for disbursement and refunds to appear for the higher education relief funds for all FAFSAs filed prior to August 20.

    August 26 – Initial disbursement of grants begins
    August 30 – Estimated date for direct deposit refunds
    September 2 – Estimated date for paper check refunds

    The fastest way to receive funds is through Direct Deposit. If you are not currently enrolled, please review the instructions below to confirm or enroll in Direct Deposit.

    Follow these Simple Steps to Sign Up or confirm your bank account information today!

    • Log in to WildcatsOnline
    • Select the Student Account Tab
    • Under My Resources – select the Direct Deposit link

    Please contact Student Financial Services at [email protected] or 402-375-7229 with any questions.

    Sincerely,
    Student Financial Services

     

    In addition to HEERF III awards, the following is an update related to HEERF I & HEERF II awards:

    HEERF I: $1,260,780 awards made to student out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

    HEERF II: $1,124,916 awards to students out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

     

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for CARES Act - Quarter Ending 9-30-21

    1. Wayne State College was allocated $3,791,770 in HEERF III funds under ARP section 314(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    2. As of December 31, 2021, Wayne State College has distributed a total of $3,777,000 in HEERF III grant funds to students.
    3. As of December 31, 2021, 1,259 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF III.
    4. Grant recipients were selected based on the criteria outlined above.
    5. Funding recipients received the following instructions and guidance related to the HEERF III funding:

    Dear Student,

    You are receiving this email as notification of a Higher Education Relief Fund Grant distribution.

    We have added a $3,000 Fall 2021 grant to your account which will be issued as a refund to you. This is a one-time grant for the Fall semester only.

    Since this will be a refund to you, the funds will not be directly applied to pay outstanding WSC charges. We understand you may need assistance to help support your education expenses including tuition, fees, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare, or other related educational expenses.

    If you would like to use this grant towards your direct costs at Wayne State, we encourage you to save the grant funds after they are refunded to you to use towards these expenses.

    Below is an estimated timeline for disbursement and refunds to appear for the higher education relief funds for all FAFSAs filed prior to August 20th.

    August 26 – Initial disbursement of grants begins
    August 30 – Estimated date for direct deposit refunds
    September 2 – Estimated date for paper check refunds

    The fastest way to receive funds is through Direct Deposit. If you are not currently enrolled, please review the instructions below to confirm or enroll in Direct Deposit.

    Follow these Simple Steps to Sign Up or confirm your bank account information today!

    • Log in to WildcatsOnline
    • Select the Student Account Tab
    • Under My Resources – select the Direct Deposit link

    Please contact Student Financial Services at [email protected] or 402-375-7229 with any questions.

    Sincerely,

    Student Financial Services

     

    In addition to HEERF III awards, the following is an update related to HEERF I & HEERF II awards:

    HEERF I: $1,260,780 awards made to student out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

    HEERF II: $1,124,916 awards to students out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

     

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for HEERF Act - Quarter Ending 12-31-21

    1. Wayne State College was allocated $3,791,770 in HEERF III funds under ARP section 314(a)(1) to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
    2. As of March 31, 2022, Wayne State College has distributed a total of $3,791,770 in HEERF III grant funds to students.
    3. As of March 31, 2022, 1,264 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under HEERF III.
    4. Grant recipients were selected based on the criteria outlined above.
    5. Funding recipients received the following instructions and guidance related to the HEERF III funding:

    Dear Student,

    You are receiving this email as notification of a Higher Education Relief Fund Grant distribution.

    We have added a $3,000 Fall 2021 grant to your account which will be issued as a refund to you. This is a one-time grant for the Fall semester only.

    Since this will be a refund to you, the funds will not be directly applied to pay outstanding WSC charges. We understand you may need assistance to help support your education expenses including tuition, fees, food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, childcare, or other related educational expenses.

    If you would like to use this grant towards your direct costs at Wayne State, we encourage you to save the grant funds after they are refunded to you to use towards these expenses.

    Below is an estimated timeline for disbursement and refunds to appear for the higher education relief funds for all FAFSAs filed prior to August 20th.

    August 26 – Initial disbursement of grants begins
    August 30 – Estimated date for direct deposit refunds
    September 2 – Estimated date for paper check refunds

    The fastest way to receive funds is through Direct Deposit. If you are not currently enrolled, please review the instructions below to confirm or enroll in Direct Deposit.

    Follow these Simple Steps to Sign Up or confirm your bank account information today!

    • Log in to WildcatsOnline
    • Select the Student Account Tab
    • Under My Resources – select the Direct Deposit link

    Please contact Student Financial Services at [email protected] or 402-375-7229 with any questions.

    Sincerely,

    Student Financial Services

     

    In addition to HEERF III awards, the following is an update related to HEERF I & HEERF II awards:

    HEERF I: $1,260,780 awards made to student out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

    HEERF II: $1,260,780 awards to students out of an allocation of $1,260,780.

     

    View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report for HEERF Act - Quarter Ending 3-31-22