Frequently Asked Questions

What is this CARES Act Student Emergency Funds grant program?

Under the federal CARES Act, the Higher Education Emergency Funds program provides funds to colleges and universities to award emergency financial aid grants to students who experienced a financial hardship as a result of disruption due to COVID-19.

The following is a list of expenses that can be considered for emergency grant funds if they were incurred in direct relation to the disruption of campus operations due COVID-19.

  • Housing
  • Food
  • Childcare
  • Technology (assistance with Wi-Fi access or purchasing computer hardware or software)
  • Course materials

The emergency grant funds are not intended to be used to replace a loss of income or to pay for student expenses that are not directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Emergency grant funds are limited and will be disbursed to eligible students based on order of application until all CARES Act funds are depleted.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to receive CARES Act Student Emergency Funds, students must meet the eligibility criteria as defined by the U.S. Department of Education.

  1. Be enrolled in fall 2020 semester classes
  2. Be a US Citizen or eligible noncitizen
  3. Have a valid social security number
  4. Registered with Selective Service (if the student is male)
  5. Have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting
  6. Be making satisfactory academic progress
  7. Be working on an approved degree or certificate
  8. Not be in default of a federal student loan or owe a repayment of a federal grant.
  9. Have a 2020-2021 FAFSA on file or complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA application and be eligible to receive Title IV financial aid
  10. Awards range from $200-$600 based on EFC

Students who are exclusively enrolled in an online program are not eligible for the emergency financial aid grants.

Students who are enrolled in another college or university where they could also be receiving CARES Act funds are not eligible for the emergency financial aid grants.

Once a student applies for CARES Act Student Emergency Funds:

  • Students will receive a confirmation email for their application.
  • Student's applications will be reviewed in 5 to 7, business days. The response will include eligibility information on their file letting the We anticipate a large volume of applications and will work to process submissions as quickly as possible. Once your application is processed and your eligibility is verified, funds will be disbursed within 14 business days. student know if the application was either approved or denied.
  • PLEASE, be sure you have completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA to remain eligible for CARES Act Student Emergency Funds.

Additional Information

FSW signed and returned to the Department of Education the certification and agreement on 4/17/20. FSW 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.

How much funding is available to students?

As of 4/25/20, FSW has received $4,589,499 pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

How many students are eligible?

FSW estimates that 12,008 students (based on Spring 2020 enrollment) may be eligible.

How much has been distributed to students?

As of 9/28/2020, the college has distributed $4,004,300 to 7,913 students You can see the breakdown here (Image)

I am an F-1 international, undocumented or DACA student and not a citizen of the United States. Am I eligible for a CARES Act grant?

Current guidance from the U.S. Department of Education states you are not eligible because you are not eligible to apply for federal Title IV financial aid.

Is there a deadline to apply?

There is no deadline, however funds are limited. The sooner students apply the more likely they are to receive funds. Funds will be disbursed to eligible students based on order of application until all CARES Act funds are depleted.

Do I need to file a 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?

In order to be eligible, students must already have a FAFSA on file or complete the FAFSA application and be eligible to receive Title IV financial aid. If you do not already have a FAFSA application on file, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the 2020-2021 FAFSA application. Students who submit an FSW CARES Act Emergency Funds Application without a FAFSA on file will receive communication with more information via their FSW email account.

How many times can I apply?

Currently, a student may submit one application for an emergency grant for fall 2020. Students who applied for CARES funding for spring 2020 or summer 2020 are eligible to apply again for fall 2020 if they continue to experience a financial hardship as a result of disruption due to COVID-19. If FSW receives additional funding from the CARES Act, students will be notified and will be able to reapply for additional grant assistance at that time.

How much will I receive?

Eligible student award amounts vary by student and will be based on each student’s circumstances and information collected from the student’s FAFSA application.

When will I know the results?

We anticipate a large volume of applications and will work to process submissions as quickly as possible. Once your application is processed and your eligibility is verified, funds will be disbursed within 14 business days.

How do students receive the money?

FSW has partnered with BankMobile Disbursements to deliver financial aid and other school refunds to our students. All you have to do is follow these steps to select how you want to receive your money.

  1. Log into your FSW Student Portal.
  2. Select Financial Aid & Student Services
  3. Under Student Services click BankMobile
  4. Select how you want your money delivered (example, Direct Deposit)

If you have previously established a Refund Preference you do not need to take any action unless you wish to update it. If so, you will need to log into your existing BankMobile account.

Do the funds need to be repaid?

No, this is not a loan. The funds are given to students in need and do not need to be repaid.

Can this funding reduce my financial aid?

No, these funds are exempt from the maximum financial aid amount students may receive.

I graduate this semester. Can I still receive assistance?

Yes. Students who apply and meet all eligibility criteria will be awarded funds in order of application until all CARES Act funds are depleted regardless of degree completion status.

What if I owe FSW for tuition or other expenses?

The full amount of the emergency grant funds will be given directly to the student, and will not pay outstanding balances owed to FSW. Any outstanding balance owed to FSW will remain the responsibility of the student.

Who can I contact for more information?

For questions related to CARES Act Student Emergency Funds, please contact caresfunds@fsw.edu or call 239-489-9348.