SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. - On May 8, Western Nebraska Community College began disbursing $402,849 in federal stimulus funding to students facing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds were provided by the U.S. Department of Education through the CARES Act
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and are designed to provide emergency financial
aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations
due to Coronavirus. The funds are meant to assist with unforeseen expenses such as
food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials.
In total, 500 students received checks for direct aid based on Expected Family Contribution
from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and number of enrolled credits
for the spring semester. Checks ranged from $250 to $800.
"We are grateful for the support provided to our students through the federal CARES
Act," said WNCC President Dr. Carmen Simone. "Our staff worked quickly and diligently
to move these funds into the hands of our students, and we will continue to make every
effort to alleviate financial burdens for students created by this unprecedented situation."
Current WNCC students are encouraged to apply for remaining funds. To be eligible,
students must have a 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) on file with WNCC, be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and otherwise
meet all federal student financial aid eligibility criteria. Students enrolled exclusively
in online courses prior to March 13, 2020, are not eligible to apply. To apply, students
should login to their MyWNCC portal and click on the CARES Act application in the
Department Announcements tab. There is no deadline to apply, but students are urged
to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited.
Students who have experienced financial hardship but do not qualify for federal funds
can still apply for assistance. The WNCC Foundation facilitates a Student Emergency
Funds account and is available to any student who has a need for immediate help with
finances outside of tuition costs. More information is available on the WNCC Foundation
webpages, or contact the Foundation at foundation@wncc.edu or 308.630.6550.