Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Greenville Technical College received additional stimulus funds from the federal government as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to assist students in need during the pandemic. The CARES Act provides emergency stimulus funds to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

To comply with reporting requirements and to offer transparency to our community, we are providing details about our use of these funds.

Additional stimulus funding sources through HEERF » 

The Center for Student Advocacy helps connect students with the right resources to assist with academic, financial, personal and food challenges, and will continue to be available via www.gvltec.edu/help/ or by phone or text at 864-483-4827.

Eligibility

The initial awards were made to students who were enrolled in Spring Semester classes as a credit student on March 13, 2020.

A second group of awards were made to those students who were enrolled in 2020 Summer term credit classes on campus as of July 27, 2020.

The legislation differentiates between students that are eligible for Pell grants and students that are not eligible for Pell grants. Thus the amount awarded to students depended on whether you were Pell-eligible based on Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the 2019-20 FAFSA for the 2020 Spring and Summer Semesters and on how many credit hours you were registered for during the designated term.

Early College students, 100% online students, DACA students, International students, employees who received assistance from the college, transient students or non-degree students are not eligible.

  • For awards made for the 2020 Summer Semester, students who did not submit a 2019-20 FAFSA or submitted the 2019-20 FAFSA and their financial aid file was not complete by July 27, 2020, were not eligible for the Emergency CARES Act funds. 
  • For awards made for the 2021 Spring Semester, students who did not submit a 2019-20 FAFSA or a 2020-21 FAFSA were not eligible for the CARES Act funding that went unclaimed. Students who submitted a 2020-21 FAFSA and their financial aid file was not complete by February 17, 2021, were not eligible for the CARES Act funding that went unclaimed.

For each fund distribution, an email was sent to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined. A second email provided instructions on how the funds would be made payable to the student's account.

Public Disclosure and Reporting Requirements

Section 18004(e) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act” or the “Act”)), Pub. L. No. 116-136, 134 Stat. 281 (March 27, 2020), directs institutions receiving funds under Section 18004 of the Act to submit (in a time and manner required by the Secretary) a report to the Secretary describing the use of funds distributed from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”). Section 18004(c) of the CARES Act requires institutions to use no less than 50 percent of the funds received from Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).

The Certification and Agreement directs each institution applying for HEERF funds to comply with Section 18004(e) of the CARES Act and submit an initial report (the “30-day Fund Report”) to the Secretary thirty (30) days from the date of the institution’s Certification and Agreement to the Department.

  • Greenville Technical 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.
  • The estimated total number of students at the institution eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act were as follows:  2020 Spring term 8,231; 2020 Summer term 4,604; 2020 Fall term 8,726; 2021 Spring term 7,197.
  • Greenville Technical College received $3,331,834 from the Department for Emergency CARES Act funds to students.
  • As of May 20, 2020, Greenville Technical College distributed $2,758,300 to students. An additional $404,500 was distributed on July 31, 2020. Finally, $171,000 was distributed on November 11, 2020. All of the $3,331,834 CARES Act funding received for students by Greenville Technical College has been distributed. 
    • However, $46,534 awarded to eligible recipients was unclaimed by the recipients and therefore canceled and the award removed from each student’s account. The unclaimed funds were disbursed to 233 students on February 26, 2021.
    • As of February 26, 2021, 7,383 students have been awarded emergency CARES Act funds and the average amount to each student is approximately $451.
  • Greenville Technical College carefully reviewed to ensure all students enrolled as of March 13, 2020, received funds unless they were Early College students, 100% online students, DACA students, International students, employees who received assistance from the college, transient students or non-degree students. Additionally, for awards made for the 2020 Summer Semester, students who did not submit a 2019-20 FAFSA or submitted the 2019-20 FAFSA and their financial aid file was not complete by July 27, 2020, were not eligible for the Emergency CARES Act funds.  
    • Students whose Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA was less than $5,576 received a base amount of $200.00 plus an amount based on enrolled hours. 
    • All other eligible students received an amount based on enrolled hours. 
    • Less than 6 credit hours received $100, 6 to 8 credit hours received $200, 9 to 11 credit hours received $300, 12 to 14 credit hours received $400, and 15+ credit hours received $500.
    • For the CARES Act funds awarded to students on November 11, 2020, the following criteria were used:
      • Were enrolled for 2020 fall semester classes as a full-time credit student
      • Were not a dual-enrolled or transient student
      • Were not enrolled in all online courses
      • Have completed a 2020-21 FAFSA
      • Have completed all Financial Aid verification paperwork (if selected)
      • Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than 1,501
    • Finally, for the unclaimed CARES Act funds awarded in February 2021, the following criteria were used:
      • Were currently enrolled for 2021 spring semester classes as a full-time credit student
      • Were enrolled for the 2020 fall term as a full-time credit student
      • Are not a dual-enrolled, transient, non-degree, DACA, or International student
      • Are not a staff waiver recipient
      • Are not enrolled in all online courses
      • Have completed a 2020-21 FAFSA
      • Have completed all Financial Aid verification paperwork (if selected)
      • Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) greater than 1,499 and less than 6,670
  • For those eligible in May, an email (see email 1 content) was sent to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined.  A second email (see email 2 content) provided instructions on how the funds would be made payable to the student's account.
  • For those eligible in July, an email (see email 3 content) was sent to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined.  A second email (see email 4 content) provided instructions on how the funds would be made payable to the student's account.
  • For those eligible in November, an email (see email 5 content) was sent to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined. A second email (see email 6 content) provided instructions on how the funds would be made payable to the student’s account.
  • For those eligible in February, an email (see email 7 content) was sent to all recipients informing them of this award and how eligibility was determined. A second email (see email 8 content) provided instructions on how the funds would be made payable to the student’s account.