- The Department of Education has made CARES Act funds available to students who incurred expenses as a result of COVID-19 related disruptions to their campus operations. In our initial round of fund distributions, Missouri State-West Plains identified a pool of eligible students that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 related disruptions to normal campus operations. These students received a $250 immediate assistance grant on April 29, 2020 under Phase 1 of the distribution process.
- The university sent $250 to students who met all of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at MSU-WP.
- Not enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020.
- Have an expected family contribution of less than $12,001.
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
(Continue reading for details on Phase 2 distributions).
- I got this money as a refund. Does this mean my Missouri State-West Plains account balance has been paid off?
- No. Distribution of CARES Act funds is made directly to students and not applied by the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student. As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their financial obligations to Missouri State-West Plains for any debts incurred during the spring 2020 term or any terms prior. Please check your current account balance to determine what you may still owe.
- Yes. Missouri State-West Plains is not authorized to apply CARES Act funds toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by a student. However, once the funds are received as a refund, students may choose to use the funds to pay off their outstanding account balance.
- No. Federal regulations stipulate that all CARES Act funds must be disbursed directly to the student and may not be applied toward outstanding balances. To use these funds to pay-off an outstanding balance with MSU-WP, a student can make a payment to their account online through My Grizzly Den or by mailing payment to the Business Office.
- Based on guidance provided by the Department of Education, students must meet the following eligibility parameters to qualify for CARES Act funds:
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (e.g., be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds such as the Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct Loans, etc.).
- Not enrolled in an exclusively online program on or prior to March 13, 2020.
- Be a degree-seeking student enrolled in 1 or more credit hours for the Spring 2020 term.
- Am I eligible to receive CARES Act funds if I have a terminated Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) status?
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students with a terminated SAP status are not eligible for CARES Act fund distributions.
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students must be eligible to submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for the CARES Act funds. This limits eligibility to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other Title IV eligible non-citizens.
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students must be eligible to submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for the CARES Act funds. This limits eligibility to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other Title IV eligible non-citizens.
- No. Any funds a student receives from the CARES Act will not need to be repaid.
- No. Money from the CARES Act is not considered financial assistance under federal statue, nor Department of Education regulations. As such, these funds will not impact your eligibility for regular financial aid (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4, eligible students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.
(Ends May 15, 2020.)
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4 eligible students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.
(Ends May 15, 2020.)
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students with a terminated SAP status are not eligible for CARES Act fund distributions.
- No. Distribution of CARES Act funds is made directly to students and not applied by the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student. As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their financial obligations to Missouri State-West Plains for any debts incurred during the spring 2020 term or any terms prior. Please check your current account balance to determine what you may still owe.