Students at Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) will soon receive funds to help them in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The College was recently awarded $822,858 in federal funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

The purpose of the funding is to provide emergency cash grants to college students who have been impacted by the movement of courses to an on-line format due to the coronavirus.  Spring semester students may use the funds to help cover the cost related to this transition.

“We have seen first-hand how our students have been affected by this pandemic,” said President Jackie Screws.  “They have been challenged to quickly make the transition to all online classes and often with limited resources.  I’m proud that our faculty and staff have worked hard to fill in the gaps to provide what our students need to be successful, but this money will certainly help ease some of the burden our students feel as they work to better themselves through education.”

CVCC will provide eligible students who were enrolled in spring classes a grant award.  Public Colleges and Universities throughout the United States received federal funding based on the number and percentage of students who were eligible for federal Pell Grants in the most recent academic year, not including students only taking online courses.

“These funds mean a lot,” said CVCC Student Amanda Meade, who graduates in May.  “I’m a wife and mother of two, and juggling to stay on track with my classes while making sure my children were on track with their school work has had its challenges, especially with everyone working from home unexpectantly.  I am grateful to my instructors who have helped me along the way, and I am truly thankful to be able to use these funds.”

“We want to help our students in any way we can.,” said Screws.  “We don’t want our students to get discouraged during these challenging times.”

CVCC will begin distributing funds by May 11 as outlined below:

Tier 1 – Awards will be given to all eligible students who received Title IV financial aid for the spring semester who were enrolled in at least one face-to-face class on March 16, 2020, when the College converted its instruction to online (Exceptions apply) beginning May 11, 2020.

Tier 2  - Awards will be given to eligible students with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file but who were not awarded Title IV financial aid at the College.  These students must meet requirements to participate in Title IV programs under Section 484 of the Higher Education Act as amended.  It is not a requirement that Tier 2 students be eligible for Pell Grant but they must meet all Title IV requirements noted by the Department of Education. Tier 2 students will be awarded not later than Friday, May 15, 2020. 

Final Disbursement:  If funds are remaining after Tier 1 and Tier 2 students have been awarded, those remaining funds will be disbursed to all eligible students by taking the total remaining funds and dividing by the number of eligible students.   It is the plan of the College that all CARES Act Funds for Students will be disbursed by July 1, 2020.