Western Oklahoma State College

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On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress to provide economic relief from COVID-19.  The CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEER) fund to be used by colleges and universities for emergency financial aid grants to students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic. Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid will receive a cash grant.  If a student has filed or is eligible to file a FAFSA, the student will be eligible to receive a payment.

Based upon guidelines from the U.S. Department of Education, Western has determined which students are eligible for CARES funding.  Those students have been notified via email.  

Students eligible per U.S. Department of Education guidelines:

• Enrolled in face to face classes during the spring 2020 semester (16 week and 2nd 8 week formats)
• Meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
• Degree seeking
• Have a valid social security number
• Males, must be registered for selective service
• Not have defaulted on Federal student loans 
• Zero amount owed on Federal student aid repayment
• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

Students NOT eligible per U.S. Department of Education guidelines are:

• International students
• Undocumented students
• Concurrent students
• Full-time employees receiving tuition waivers
• Completely online students     

These grants, which do not have to be repaid, are intended to provide funds for students to cover unforeseen expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, including but not limited to food, housing, healthcare, and course-related materials or services, such as technology.  

Western Oklahoma State College has been appropriated $317,856 for distribution to qualified students.  These funds will be disbursed according to the number of eligible credit hours a student is taking for the spring 2020 semester.  The estimated distribution to the student will be $54.00 per credit hour. Therefore, a student taking 15 in-class hours may receive around $810.

Eligible students will receive funds through direct deposit or check, according to the method of distribution that the student has chosen in their Campus Connect portal. Please log in to your Campus Connect by going to www.wosc.edu and verify your refund banking information is correct and up-to-date.  If students have questions, please contact the Student Billing office at (580) 477-7730 or email ashton.davis@wosc.edu.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting- Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

1. Western Oklahoma State 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.
2. Western Oklahoma State College has received $317,856 from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
3. As of 7/23/2020 Western Oklahoma State College has distributed $317,856 to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
4. 503 is the total number of students at Western Oklahoma State College 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.
5. 503 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of 9/15/2020.
6. See above for the method used by the Western Oklahoma State College to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.