CARES Act 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 has begun distribution of HEERF II grant funds. 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 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	Amount	Number of Recipients
0	$1,800	225
1-1,499	$1,500	170
1,500-2,999	$1,200	150
3,000-4,499	$900	139
4,500-5,711	$600	79
Less than full-time	Various	5

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

Enrollment Status	Amount	Number of Recipients
Less than full-time	$500	122
Full-time	$1,000	45

Student Financial Services
Wayne State College
[email protected]
1111 Main Street
Wayne, NE 68787