• enrolled in classes during Spring 2020;
• filed a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
• been determined to be Title IV eligible; and
• completed all Office of Financial Aid verification requirements.

The CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) are federal funds to provide emergency aid grants to eligible students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the Coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). These funds are intended to address the pressing financial need of students due to the disruption of campus operations from the Coronavirus.

Full-time Pell Grant eligible students will receive a one-time $700 grant payment. Full-time non-Pell Grant eligible students will receive a one-time $500 grant payment. Part-time eligible students will receive a pro-rated value, with the amount based on the number of credits they were enrolled in during Spring 2020.

If you are eligible, there is no action needed on your part.
The eligibility requirements are noted in Question 8.

The grant will be issued automatically via direct deposit to the account on file OR a paper check will be mailed to the address indicated in your WCSU BannerWeb account on the date of payment.

You can log in to BannerWeb to see the disbursement on your billing screen under Account Activity; it is listed as “CARES Act Grant.”

No. These payments are direct payments to students and will not be used to reduce an outstanding account balance. The CARES Act requires institutions to provide the emergency aid grants to students. WCSU may not use the portion of the set aside for emergency aid grants to students to satisfy a student’s outstanding account balance. The Department of Education notes that the student may use his or her emergency aid grant for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the Coronavirus.

To be considered, you must:

• have been enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits of on-ground courses in Spring 2020
• have filed a 2019-2020 FAFSA and all verification requirements by May 17, 2020
• have been determined to be Title IV eligible
• be a matriculated student
• be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• be registered for Selective Service (if male)
• not be in default on federal student loans
• be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen
• have not received a waiver of your tuition/course fees (e.g., WCSU employee, high school student)

Students who are not eligible for a CARES Act grant, including undocumented students, who have also experienced additional expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the Coronavirus can apply for the WCSU Cares Student Assistance Fund. 

To be a Title IV-eligible student under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act, a student must:

• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential (including a program of study abroad approved for credit by the eligible institution at which such student is enrolled)–that is, a regular student under 34 CFR 600.2;
• be maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) if the student is a currently enrolled student;
• not be in default on a Title IV loan;
• be a US citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen;
• have his Selective Service registration verified (the Title IV aid ineligibility for failure to register is in the Selective Service Act §3811(f));
• have a valid SSN, except for residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau; and
• not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

All requirements are listed on your BannerWeb account. Click on the Financial Aid Tab, then Eligibility, then Student Requirements.
Any unsatisfied requirements will be noted.

Documents can be submitted securely using DropSecure. Please see instructionsopens PDF file on our website.

The deadline to submit a 2019-2020 FAFSA and all applicable verification requirements is May 17, 2020.
Once you have met the eligibility requirements noted in Question 8 above, the CARES Act grant aid payment will be issued to you.

Pursuant to Department of Education guidance, the grant excludes students who were exclusively enrolled in distance education courses in Spring 2020 because the emergency aid grants to students are for expenses related to the disruption of campus due to the Coronavirus. Students, who were enrolled exclusively in online programs would not have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the Coronavirus.

For Title IV eligibility and financial aid requirements, please email wcsufinancialaid@wcsu.educreate new email.

For questions related to the status of a CARES Act grant distribution, please email the Cashiers Office at requestcashiers@wcsu.educreate new email.