Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

HEERF Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Emergency Financial Aid Grants funded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and supplemental appropriations (CRRSAA)

In compliance with guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE), Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBWCC) distributed funds to eligible students to offset expenses related to campus disruptions resulting from COVID-19.

Funding History

• Initial CARES Act Award: $773,069 (notified April 24, 2020)
• CRRSAA Supplemental Award: $773,069 (notified January 17, 2021)
• Total Distributed (as of April 7, 2021): $1,543,469 to 1,477 unduplicated students

Eligible Expenses

Emergency grant funds should be used for eligible expenses such as:

• Housing
• Food
• Course materials
• Technology
• Health care
• Child care

Grant Award Amounts

The College determined varying amounts of funding dependent upon students' circumstances:

• $550: All eligible students who certified incurred expenses
• $1,050: Eligible students with highest need (includes $550 base grant + $500 supplement based on FAFSA)
• $1,406.98: Eligible residents of College-managed residence facility Saints Hall (includes $550 base + $856.98 for unused Saints Hall rent)
• $1,906.98: Eligible Saints Hall residents with highest need (includes $550 base + $856.98 rent supplement + $500 need-based supplement)
• $363: Fall 2020 semester eligible students (flat amount)
• $700 or $370: Spring 2021 distribution (Pell recipients received $700; all others received $370)

Eligibility Criteria

Spring 2020 Semester (CARES Act):

• Enrolled in at least one in-person class on March 13, 2020
• Eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
• U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen status
• Valid Social Security number
• Registration with Selective Service, if required
• High school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in approved homeschool setting

Ineligible: Non-degree seeking students, noncredit students, those who withdrew from courses prior to March 13, those only enrolled in Mini-term 1 courses

Fall 2020 and Beyond (CRRSAA):

• Eligibility guidelines relaxed to include both online and in-person students
• Non-degree seeking and non-credit students eligible
• High-need Pell recipients prioritized per Department of Education guidance

Distribution Methods

• Direct deposit (if banking information on file)
• Mailed check (for all others)

Terms

• Grants do not need to be repaid
• Students not required to submit receipts or documentation

Contact Information

• Shannon Levitzke, Associate Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Quality
  • Email: slevitzke@lbwcc.edu
• Jason Jessie, Dean of Student Affairs
  • Email: jjessie@lbwcc.edu

Geographic Scope

Alabama - LBWCC serves students at Andalusia, Greenville, and Opp campus locations

Application Process

Spring 2020 Distribution:

1. College determined eligibility based on enrollment and Title IV participation status
2. Eligible students received notification via email with detailed instructions
3. Students must sign an affidavit affirming incurred eligible expenses
4. Students selected at least one eligible expense category
5. Submission deadline: 5:00 p.m. on specified date (e.g., May 19 for Spring 2020)

Required Materials:

• Full name
• Five-digit LBWCC student number
• Selection of at least one eligible expense category
• Signed affidavit

Submission Format:

• Online link provided to students via email
• Electronic signature on affidavit

Documentation:

• No receipts or documentation required from students
• College made good faith determination of eligibility

Fall 2020 and Spring 2021:

• Similar process with updated eligibility criteria and submission dates
• Notification via email with tailored grant amounts based on circumstances