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GSW Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

HEERF III Summer 2022, Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Funding

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan. Georgia Southwestern has received federal funds to help students with the financial hardships of COVID-19.   Students that have been impacted by COVID 19 and have a financial need, can apply for educational assistance by contacting Dr. Gaye Hayes, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, at 229-928-1273 or gaye.hayes@gsw.edu.

HEERF III Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 Funding

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) is authorized by the American Rescue Plan. Georgia Southwestern has received federal funds to help students with the financial hardships of COVID-19.   

Students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education) may use the HEERF III funds for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, (including mental health care) and childcare both for Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters.  

Eligibility status for GSW students is outlined below:

 Pell Eligibility

On Campus Housing

Off Campus

Full-time Pell Eligible

$ 1,350

$ 600

Full-time Non-Pell Eligible

$    900

$ 400

Part-time Pell Eligible

$ 1,050

$ 300

Part-time Non-Pell Eligible

$    650

$ 150

 

Full-time is defined as 12 hours or greater for undergraduates or 9 hours or greater for graduates. All students, except non-US citizen transients are eligible for funding as outlined above.  

To be considered Pell-Eligible, students must display exceptional financial need once completing the FAFSA. This is determined by expected family contribution, cost of attendance, and status of full-time or part-time student. More information can be found at studentaid.gov.

Students may choose to have funds credited to their existing balance prior to the end of drop/add for each term. Although early estimates may be based on early eligibility status, a final determination of eligibility status will take place on Friday, September 10 for Fall Term 2021 and Thursday, February 10, 2022 for Spring 2022. Distribution for eligible students will be processed through BankMobile Disbursements (GSW’s refunding partner) beginning September 27, 2021 for Fall 2021 and beginning February 25, 2022 for Spring 2022.

 

HEERF II Spring 2021 Funding

Through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA Act), Georgia Southwestern State University has received federal funds to help students with the financial hardships of COVID-19.

Students (including students exclusively enrolled in distance education), may use the CRRSAA grant for any component of their cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care, (including mental health care) and childcare both for current, summer and fall semester

Award Eligibility

GSW students are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants, funded by the CARES Act, if they are a US Citizen or qualified alien, as defined within 8 U.S.C. 1641 (this covers refugees and persons granted asylum).   Award eligibility also includes students who are currently enrolled at Georgia Southwestern, but not in the Dual-Enrolled or TAP programs.  Award amounts will be informed by Pell-eligibility, as determined at the end of the Spring 2021 drop/add period. 

Award Amounts

Students who are enrolled for spring 2021, and who meet the following eligibility requirements will receive a grant for the 2021-2022 academic year in the amount of:

  • Pell Eligible: $542/per student
  • All Other Qualified Students: $293/per student

Award Distribution

Awards for eligible students will be processed through BankMobile Disbursements (GSW’s refunding partner) by Friday, April 16th, 2021.

 

HEERF I Spring 2020 Funding

Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), Georgia Southwestern has received federal funds to help students who find themselves in financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

The funds are designed to assist students (undergraduate and graduate) to meet short-term financial hardships due to COVID-19. Fund distribution is managed through GSW's Division of Student Engagement and Success.

Award Eligibility

Funds will be posted to pre-qualified students’ BankMobile Disbursements account by Friday, May 8. Award eligibility is based on completion of 2019-20 FAFSA, enrollment status, and Pell Grant eligibility.

GSW students are eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants, funded by the CARES Act, if he/she:

  1. Filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-20 academic year and their ISIR reflects that they meet the core eligibility requirements, i.e., U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting, and has not been convicted of certain drug-related crimes while receiving Title IV aid. Note: Students may file a FAFSA up to June 30, 2020 for the 2019-20 academic year at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
  2. Enrolled in face-to-face courses for Spring 2020 and/or Summer 2020 at the time of disbursement. Fully online students, on or prior to March 13, 2020 are not eligible for funds.

According to federal guidelines, the following students are NOT ELIGIBLE for CARES Act funds:

  • 100% online on March 13, 2020
  • Dual enrolled
  • Not Title IV Eligible (determined by the submission of the FAFSA)

Students who complete the FAFSA (and are eligible for Title IV as outlined above) after the initial disbursement date will receive an award as long as funds are available. Awards and disbursements will process weekly. Final award of CARES Act Emergency Financial Aid Grants will be June 30, 2020 unless funds are exhausted prior to the established date.

Reports

Contact

Office of Student Accounts

Canes Central
1st Floor

229-931-2013
stuaccts@gsw.edu

Staff