CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund I
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or, CARES Act, was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on March 27th, 2020. This bill allotted funds to provide fast and direct economic aid to the American people negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of that money was given to the Office of Postsecondary Education as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, or HEERF. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College was the recipient of HEERF/CARES Act funds under two programs.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College (WGTC) signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 11, 2020 for the CARES Act Grant in the amount of 1,279,447 to be distributed to eligible students. WGTC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the Institutional portion of the CARES Act grant in the amount of $1,279,446 on April 23, 2020. WGTC signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for HEERF Strengthening Institutions Program funds on May 2, 2020 and received notification of award on July 9, 2020 in the amount of $124,604. An additional HEERF SIP amount of $1,454 was awarded in October for a total of $126,058.
For the full CARES Act legislation, please visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748
For a summary of eligibility guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, please visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/heerfstudentfaqs.pdf
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Eligible Students or HEERF II
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. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) was authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA), Public Law 116-260, signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020 by Congress. 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
For Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s plan for for disbursing student funds, visit HEERF II for Students.
American Rescue Plan – Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund for Eligible Students (HEERF III)
Financial hardships related to employment, housing, childcare, food, utilities, and medical expenses continue to burden students and their families due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was signed into law on March 11, 2021. 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 ARP Act funding if they meet the specific criteria according to the guidance released from the U.S. Department of Education.
For the full ARP Act (HEERF III) legislation, please visit: https//:www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/arp.html
For Wiregrass Georgia Technical College’s plan for disbursing student funds, visit HEERF III for Students
