Based on the unprecedented interruption for college and university students, Congress passed the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act) on March 27 to assist students in covering the unexpected costs of the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Wallace Community College-Dothan received $1,827,879 for direct student aid. The College signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students on April 15, 2020.
As of May 15, 2020, $980,460 emergency aid grants had been distributed to 1,676 eligible Wallace students ($585.00 per student).
The College is in the process of certifying approximately 1200 additional students who could be eligible for the emergency aid grants. This would offer assistance to almost 3000 eligible Wallace students.
The College used the method of selection based on U.S. Department of Education eligibility protocol. To be eligible, students had to be enrolled in a degree or certificate program and had to be taking at least one traditional course that transitioned to an online format after March 16. Additionally, students must be a PELL recipient or PELL eligible. Dual enrollment, incarcerated students, and online students do not qualify.
The College used the universal disbursement method to offer aid to all eligible students to offset attendance-related costs. The disbursement method and amount were determined using the method and minimum technology amount suggested in the April 14, 2020 Alabama Community College System (ACCS) MEMO 2020-EXE-033 of $300.00, with an additional $285.00 included to offset other costs.
The College notified all Pell recipients via email that the aid would be automatically funded. The College also notified all other potential Title IV-eligible students via email that they could be eligible to receive funding following the completion of a certification form. Students have until May 20 at 11:30 p.m. to certify eligibility for CARES Act grants.