Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Eligible Students – HEERF II
FAQs
The COVID-19 Pandemic continues to disrupt students and their families in several ways leading to financial hardships related to employment, housing, childcare, food, utilities, and medical expenses. Under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), an allotment of emergency financial assistance grants for eligible students has been directed to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to distribute. Students are eligible for the HEERF Act funding if they meet the specific criteria according to the guidance released from the U.S. Department of Education.
For the full HEERF Act legislation, please visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/crrsaa.html
HEERF Act for Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Students
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) was allocated $1,279,447 on January 19, 2021 by the U.S. Department of Education to be distributed to eligible students. WGTC was also allocated an Institutional portion of the HEERF Grant Act grant in the amount of $4,732,851.
Distribution Plan – Distribution Date 3/24/21
Under the guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia as of the date of the release, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College awarded HEERF Emergency Relief funds in the amount of $670 per student for Spring Semester 202114 enrolled students who met the eligibility criteria on or before March 21, 2021.
1909 students were identified as eligible for the distribution. $1,279,030 of the student portion of the College’s allocation was distributed in this round.
Second Distribution Plan – Need Based Application Process
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offered a Need Based Application for HEERF II Act Emergency Relief funds after the first round of distribution had been completed. These funds can be awarded to any student not listed in the below ineligible list that proved need through the submission of the application and supporting documentation. Applications for this fund were open until April 30, 2021 and students who did not receive the first round of distribution were considered first. Approved applicants had their funds disbursed in May 2021. HEERF II Institutional Funds will be used to fund this program.
Two students were identified through the application process and award funds. $417 was awarded from the remaining HEERF II student balance and $923 was awarded from the HEERF II Institutional Funds.
To be eligible for HEERF Act Funding for the first distribution, students must meet the following requirements: 1. Be enrolled during the full term, Express Term or one of the Commercial Truck Driving Terms during Spring 2021. 2. Show a need through the evaluation of the following criteria: a. Meets Title IV eligibility for Federal Financial Aid for the 20-21 Aid Year b. OR receiving third party assistance for tuition and fees to include but not limited to Workforce Investment Opportunity Act, Veterans Education Assistance, WGTC Foundation Scholarships, Vocational Rehab, Other forms of Scholarships, or TAA funds c. OR on a payment plan d. AND SAP status must be good, warning, on an approved SAP appeal or SAP Continuation Plan for 202114
The following students are not eligible for HEERF Act Funds under the first Distribution Plan: a. Dual Enrolled High School students b. Transients (host) c. Department of Corrections Students d. DACA/Foreign Students e. Special Admit Students f. Dental Hygiene Students from Valdosta State University
Funds will be disbursed using our refund partner, Bank Mobile. Some students who qualify for this funding may not have received refunds from the college in the past and as a result have not established a refund preference with Bank Mobile. In order to receive the funds timely, students must specify their refund preference online with Bank Mobile.
There are 3 options available: 1. Electronic deposit to an established account at a financial institution of your choice. 2. Electronic deposit to a BankMobile Vibe account which includes a debit card for ATM withdrawals or for purchases from any retailer who accepts debit/credit cards. 3. Check by mail to address on student account. (Please note: These checks can be difficult to cash locally for those who do not already have an established account with a local financial institution. Options 1 and 2 are highly encouraged). a. When selected as preference – will be mailed at disbursement date. b. No selection – will be mailed after 30 days of inactivity. A refund preference can still be set up until that time.
www.RefundSelection.com. Go to “Enter Your Personal Code” if you already have one. If not, click on the link for “Need a Code?” and follow the instructions to have a new code generated and emailed to you.
Yes, unless you make a change prior to the disbursement date.
Go to www.BankMobileVibe.com and click “Login” or “Forgot Login Information?”
Go to www.RefundSelection.com or www.BankMobileVibe.com and click “Login” or “Forgot Login Information”.
Yes. Log in to your account at www.BankMobileVibe.com.
You can register for mobile alerts on your Bank Mobile account and you will be notified by email or text message that your refund has been disbursed.
This depends on your financial institution processes and policies. Some funds may be available immediately and others may be the following business day.
· For a very extensive resource for additional information, see link for FAQs and an interactive search feature at www.bankmobilevibe.com · Contact Customer Care at 1-877-327-9515 · Tweet @AskBMD! · Email the support team under the FAQ tab once logged in to your account.
