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CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

We know the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted many daily routines, and some have found themselves in distressing predicaments. To help alleviate that stress, Western Dakota Tech has launched the WDT Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF), an emergency aid program for students who may be experiencing difficulties with expenses related to COVID-19 campus disruptions. These emergency grants will assist students experiencing financial hardships with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations, including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as (not a complete list):
  • Assistance with the purchase of food
  • Needs related to housing/rent/utilities
  • The purchase of course materials
  • Technology related needs
  • Assistance with health care and/or child care expenses

Quarterly Budget & Expenditure Reporting

Acknowledgment 

Western Dakota Tech signed and returned the certification and agreement form for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) on April 13, 2020, and intends to use 50% of the mandated amount of the emergency financial aid grants for students. The amount that WDT has received or will receive under the HEERF student portion is $431,940. 

Allocations

Distribution 

CARES HEERF 1 Distribution

CARES HEERF I Distribution:

Using these funds, Western Dakota Tech mailed a check to 603 Spring 2020 students on May 15, 2020 and 174 Summer 2020 students on June 19, 2020 that were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. As of June 19, 2020, Western Dakota Tech has disbursed the full amount to Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 students. As of October 3, 2020, this final quarterly posting is the final report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004(a)(1) Student Portion funds.

  • Spring 2020 – 603 students received $650 (total = $391,950)
  • Summer 2020 – 172 students received $216.77 | 2 students received $216.78 (total = $37,718)
  • 5 students qualified for additional funds based off of their application that was submitted and the committee approved (total = $2.272)
There were 695 eligible students and all 695 have received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF). Total disbursed:  $431,940


CARES HEERF II Distribution

There were 892 eligible students and all 892 have received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF II). Total disbursed:  $435,403.04

Western Dakota Tech mailed a check to 892 eligible Spring 2021 students on March 12, 2021.

  • Spring 2021 – 892 students received $488.12

Who is eligible for the WDT Emergency CARES HEERF II Grant? 

A student must meet all criteria listed to qualify:

  • Currently enrolled, as of March 10, 2021, for the Spring 2021 semester in a certificate, diploma, or degree program.
  • A U.S. citizen or meet the definition of an eligible non-citizen based on federal financial aid requirements.

CARES HEERF II is an emergency aid program for students, who may be experiencing difficulties with expenses related to COVID-19.

The grant may be used toward:

  • any component of your cost of attendance
  • emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
    • tuition
    • food
    • housing
    • health care (including mental)
    • childcare


CARES HEERF III Distribution

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.

WDT’s student allocation amount is $1,497,644.00

Western Dakota Tech disbursed funds to Fall 2021 Pell grant eligible students that were enrolled as of the census date (September 3, 2021) and to eligible ARP HEERF III applications that were received by October 26, 2021.  A total of 612 unduplicated students received a $1,000 grant to be used toward any of the following eligible expenses:

  • Any component of the student’s cost of attendance.
  • Emergency cost that arises due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental), and childcare.
  • Outstanding tuition and fee balance with WDTC.

 The remaining student allocation balance will be disbursed during the Spring 2022 semester.


CARES HEERF III 2nd Distribution

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan (ARP), Public Law 117-2, signed into law on March 11, 2021, providing $39.6 billion in support to institutions of higher education to serve students and ensure learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARP funds are in addition to funds authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260 and the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Public Law 116-136. Emergency funds available to institutions and their students under all emergency funds total $76.2 billion.

WDT’s student allocation amount is $1,497,644.00

Western Dakota Tech disbursed remaining funds to Spring 2022 students that were enrolled as of the census date (January 24, 2022).  A total of 1,208 unduplicated students received a grant to be used toward any of the following eligible expenses:

  • Any component of the student’s cost of attendance.
  • Emergency cost that arises due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental), and childcare.
  • Outstanding tuition and fee balance with WDTC.

Spring 2022 students received a disbursement according to the guidelines below:

  • Pell Grant Students – $1,445 stipend
  • Full-Time Degree Seeking Students (12+ credits), not Pell eligible – $800 stipend
  • Three-Quarter Time Degree Seeking Students (9-11 credits), not Pell eligible – $600 stipend
  • Half-Time Degree Seeking Students (6-8 credits), not Pell eligible– $400 stipend
  • Less than Half-Time Degree Seeking Students (1-5 credits), not Pell eligible– $200 stipend
  • Non-Degree Seeking Students – $200 stipend
  • Dual Enrollment Students – $150 stipend



Eligibility

All eligible student emergency Financial Aid grants have been disbursed as of Spring 2022.


Who is Eligible for the WDT Emergency CARES Grant?
A student must meet all criteria listed to qualify:

  • Currently enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester in a certificate, diploma or degree program eligible for Federal Financial Aid
  • Be in good academic standing and maintaining satisfactory academic progress with the college
  • A student who has been adversely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and has an emergency need
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or must meet the definition of an eligible non-citizen based on federal financial aid requirements
  • Be otherwise eligible for Title IV aid as required by the CARES Act, which is determined by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you have not yet filed a FAFSA, you will need to complete one in order to verify eligibility by May 12, 2020.  (Contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions on applying for FAFSA – 605.718.2988 or finaid@wdt.edu)

Who is Not Eligible for the WDT Emergency CARE'S GRANT?

  • Students enrolled in a non-degree program
  • Students that are enrolled in a dual enrollment course(s)
  • Students not in good standing with Federal Financial Aid
  • Students enrolled exclusively online (i.e., in all online classes) on or before March 13, 2020
*** The funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus that have impacted a student's educational experience, including the allowable expenses listed.


CARES HEERF III Application Process

  • Who is eligible:

    • Any individual who is or was enrolled at Western Dakota Tech on or after the date the national emergency was declared for COVID-19 may qualify for assistance under the HEERF programs. Enrollment period is anytime between March 13, 2020 and present date.

    HEERF III Student Emergency Grants can be used by a student for any of the following eligible expenses:

    • Any component of the student’s cost of attendance
    • Emergency cost that arise due to coronavirus, such as: tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental) and childcare.

    Institutions are required to prioritize grants to students with exceptional financial need, such as those who receive Federal Pell Grants or Federal or State need-based aid.  Please complete the short application by October 26th to be considered: ARP HEERF III Application

    Eligible students will be notified of their award by November 23rd.

    HEERF I Application Process


HEERF III FAQ's

Do I have to repay this money?

No. Funds issued to you through ARP (HEERF III) are considered emergency grant money and do not need to be repaid.

Will this funding affect my financial aid?

No. ARP (HEERF III) emergency grants do not count towards Estimated Financial Assistance (EFA) and do not impact future financial aid eligibility.

Is this grant money taxable?

No. ARP (HEERF III) emergency grants are not treated as taxable income.



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