Wake Technical Community College signed and returned the Certification and Agreement to the U.S. Department of Education on April 15, 2020, offering assurance that the college 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 college received a Grant Award Notification from the Department of Education on April 24, 2020, in the amount of $5,195,425 pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement for emergency financial aid grants to students.

Status of distribution of funds

• Report 1: As of May 21, 2020, Wake Tech has distributed $3,312,000 in emergency financial aid grants to 2,878 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. An additional 340 students have received and accepted a grant award and are awaiting fund distribution.
• Report 2: As of July 6, 2020, Wake Tech has distributed $4,112,860 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,579 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. An additional 74 students have received and accepted a grant award and are awaiting fund distribution.
• Report 3: As of August 20, 2020, Wake Tech has distributed $4,226,020 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,678 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. An additional eight students have received and accepted a grant award and are awaiting fund distribution.
• Report 4: As of October 5, 2020, Wake Tech has distributed $4,227,170 in emergency financial aid grants to 3,679 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. An additional 13 students have received and accepted a grant award and are awaiting fund distribution.
• Report 5: As of December 31, 2020, Wake Tech has distributed $5,122,850 in emergency financial aid grants to 5,454 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. An additional 55 students ($27,500 total) have received and accepted a grant award and are awaiting fund distribution.
• Report 6: As of March 31, 2021, Wake Tech has distributed $5,195,350 in emergency financial aid grants to 5,599 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
• Report 7: As of June 30, 2021, Wake Tech has distributed $5,195,425 in emergency financial aid grants to 5,598 students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. A remainder of $75 of CARES Act student emergency aid funds and $500 from an uncashed award check returned to the college were applied to the first round of CRRSAA/HEERF II emergency financial aid grants.

Eligibility

After disbursing the first round of student emergency aid grant funds between March and September 2020 to respond to immediate student needs upon the campus closure, Wake Tech closed out the Round 1 disbursement process (See reports 1-4, which detail Round 1 Awards at the bottom of the page). To expend the balance of funds, the college conducted a new evaluation of student needs for emergency financial aid grants in October 2020 to account for new Fall enrollees and ongoing impacts of the pandemic disrupting campus operations. The committee developed new criteria to establish the second round of awards (see Round 2 Methodology) and awarded all eligible students a $500 CARES Act emergency financial aid grant.

For the Fall 2020 term, 8,336 Wake Tech students were eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. No students were enrolled in online-only programs from the eligible pool. Wake Tech set forth further criteria to capture previous grant award status, enrollment status, financial need and level of disruption (see Methodology) resulting in an initial pool of 2,074 potentially eligible students. Eligibility is confirmed when a student attests he or she incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

• Report 5: As of December 31, 2020, 1,816 students were confirmed to have met all eligibility criteria to receive a CARES Act emergency financial aid grant, and 85 students have not yet acted to confirm eligibility. A total of 63 students were determined to be ineligible based upon their expenses.
• Report 6: As of March 31, 2021, 1,906 students were confirmed to have met all eligibility criteria to receive a CARES Act emergency financial aid grant. Sixty-eight students did not take action on the award, and the funds were removed and reallocated. Additionally, a total of 68 students were determined to be ineligible based upon their expenses.
• Report 7: As of June 30, 2021, 1,905 students were confirmed to have met all eligibility criteria to receive a CARES Act emergency financial aid grant.
• Final report: A total of 5,598 students received a CARES Act emergency financial aid grant through Round 1 and Round 2 awards. A remainder of $75 of CARES Act student emergency aid funds and $500 from an uncashed check returned to the college were applied to first round of CRRSAA/HEERF II emergency financial aid grants.

Round 2 Methodology

The CARES Act Emergency Aid Grant Committee reconvened to determine how to distribute remaining emergency aid funds within the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education. The committee determined remaining funds would be directed to the college’s most financially needy students. Students who qualified for a Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) but were not awarded an FSEOG due to limited funds were prioritized. Eligibility criteria for the Round 2 grant awards included the following:

• The curriculum student submitted the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and was deemed Title IV eligible as defined by Section 484 of the Higher Education Act.
• The student was enrolled in at least 6 hours of curriculum classes toward a program of study and had at least one credit hour disrupted by campus closure as of October 12, 2020, for the Fall 2020 semester. Students who were enrolled in exclusively online programs were not eligible.
• The student’s FAFSA Estimated Family Contribution was $0.
• Financial aid was processed and offered for 2020-21.
• The student was not awarded an FSEOG for Fall 2020 semester.
• The student did not receive a Round 1 CARES Act grant.
• The student read and accepted the terms that they incurred expenses due to the disruption of campus operations from the coronavirus outbreak.

Student communication

Wake Tech has communicated to students about CARES Act emergency financial aid grants by email, messages sent through the financial aid notification system, phone and text.

• Report 5: Communication as of December 31, 2020:
  
  Beginning October 12, 2020, students were notified of their eligibility for grant funds and guidance for accepting their awards via an email from President Scott Ralls:
  
  Hello <student>,
  Emergency funding to support students impacted by campus disruptions due to the coronavirus has been provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
  The college has determined that you may be eligible to receive a Wake Tech CARES Emergency Grant. This grant is awarded based on the assumption that you experienced expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), such as technology costs for items like a computer, other hardware and Internet access. If you have had costs associated with the change in campus operations due to the coronavirus, please take the following steps immediately:
  
  – You must accept or reject the award by logging into Self-Service, going to Financial Aid, then My Awards.
  – Accept the award if you incurred additional costs due to changes in campus operations due to the coronavirus. By accepting the award, you are certifying that you incurred such expenses.
  – Reject the award if you have not incurred any additional costs related to campus closure due to coronavirus.
  
  Please contact your Financial Aid specialist if you have questions. Find your specialist and their contact information on Self-Service or at FA Specialist. CARES Emergency Grants will be disbursed to you via BankMobile within one to two weeks of acceptance.
  We know that this has been a challenging time for all of us, and I admire your efforts to continue your education and further your own opportunities even in the challenges around COVID-19. Please contact your advisor for assistance in selecting your Spring/Summer schedule. Planning to come back next fall? Get a jump start on your 2021-22 FAFSA.
  Wake Tech Student Services staff are ready to help you remotely in all of our support areas. If you need help with this process or anything else, please contact us at the Answer Center at 919-866-5000 or [email protected].
  
  Be well,
  Dr. Scott Ralls
  President
   
• About CARES Act Emergency Grants
  
  CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to cover some of the costs students have incurred due to changes to campus operations and the transition to online coursework, tutoring and student supports. Examples of such costs may include computers, tablets, web cameras, software and internet access.
  A committee was established to determine how to disburse the funds within the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Eligibility criteria for the Fall 2020 grant awards include the following:
  – Actively enrolled in at least 6 hours of curriculum classes in a program of study as of the date of disbursement. Students who are enrolled in exclusively online programs are not eligible.
  – Has submitted the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), has been deemed Title IV eligible as defined by Section 484 of the Higher Education Act and has an Estimated Family Contribution of zero dollars.
  – Qualifies but has not been awarded an FSEOG for 2020-21.
  – Did not receive a CARES ACT Emergency Aid Grant in 2019-20.
  – To receive funds, students must read and accept the terms that they incurred expenses due to the changes in campus operations from the coronavirus outbreak.
   
• Beginning October 15, 2020, reminder texts were sent to students who had not yet accepted or rejected their CARES Act Student Emergency Aid Grant stating:
  
  "You're eligible for the Wake Tech CARES Emergency Grant. Check the 2020-21 financial aid tab in Self-Service to accept or reject. Selfserve.waketech.edu"
   
• Beginning October 13, 2020, a message was distributed through the financial aid notification system to notify students of their eligibility for a grant:
  
  Dear <student>
  Your 20/21 financial aid offer has been processed or updated and is now available to view online. Review your Offer Letter by logging into Self-Service and clicking on Financial Aid. This will bring you to Financial Aid Self Service, where there is a drop-down menu that includes "My Awards" and "Offer Letter," among other things that you can review. If you need a hard copy of your Offer Letter, you should print it from Self-Service.
  Important information regarding your award, such as book store dates, refund check dates, terms and conditions of your award, Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, etc., is also available by visiting (external website URL).
  – If you have received federal student loans, you can click on the following link to see repayment options including a repayment estimator based on your current indebtedness: (external website URL)
  – Eligible students are automatically awarded a Direct Loan with a status of "P," or Pending. You are required to accept or reject any loan awards online via Financial Aid Self-Service.
  – If you want to reduce your loan amounts, make your reductions before accepting the loans. Once you accept your loans via Financial Aid Self-Service, you will not be able to make online changes; you will have to submit a Loan Change Request form.
  – If you are on financial aid warning for the current term, your next semester's award is entered as "D," or Denied. After grades are reviewed and it is determined that you have achieved the required GPA and/or completion rate, the awards will be changed to Accepted. If you are not meeting the standards, the award will be deleted, and you will be responsible for payment. Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy at https://tinyurl.com/WTCC-SAPpage if you are unsure of the requirements to continue receiving financial aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each semester.
  Although this additional information is not being mailed, you are responsible for being aware of its content, as it relates to policies and procedures required to maintain financial aid eligibility and to ensure prompt delivery of your funds.
  For faster service, if you have questions, please submit them on the Financial Aid contact form at https://www.waketech.edu/financial-aid/contact. Best wishes for a successful year.
  
  Your Student ID is: @ID
  Wake Technical Community College
  9101 Fayetteville Road
  Raleigh, NC 27603
  Ph: 919-866-5410
   

Beginning November 11, 2020, phone calls were made to students who had not taken any action, encouraging them to review and accept their grant award.

On December 21, 2020, a text with a reminder and final notice was sent to 126 students who had not taken any action to review and accept their grant award:

"Check your 2020-2021 Financial Aid tab in Self-Service to accept or reject the Wake Tech CARES Emergency Grant fund by January 8 - Selfserve.waketech.edu”

On December 22, 2020, a reminder and final notice was emailed to 126 students who had not taken any action to review and accept their grant award.

Wake Tech’s Financial & Business Services staff continued the email campaign to notify students that unclaimed CARES Emergency Grants issued through the BankMobile system had been returned to the college. Staff requested that students provide a current mailing address so that checks could be sent to them.

(Student Name)

Wake Technical Community College issued you a CARES refund on 10/19/20. We have received those funds back from BankMobile due to check being returned. Please email me with a correct mailing address as soon as possible so we can mail a check to you.  If we do not hear from you within 10 days, funds will expire and will no longer be available for you.  

Thanks!

Report 6: Communication as of March 31, 2021:

Beginning January 25, 2021, students were notified of their eligibility for grant funds and guidance for accepting their awards via an email from President Scott Ralls: 

Hello <student>,

Emergency funding to support students impacted by campus disruptions due to the coronavirus has been provided by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

The college has determined that you may be eligible to receive a Wake Tech CARES Emergency Grant. This grant is awarded based on the assumption that you experienced expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), such as technology costs for items like a computer, other hardware and internet access. If you have had costs associated with the change in campus operations due to the coronavirus, please take the following steps immediately:

• You must accept or reject the award by logging into Self-Service, going to Financial Aid, then My Awards.
• Accept the award if you incurred additional costs due to changes in campus operations due to the coronavirus. By accepting the award, you are certifying that you incurred such expenses. 
• Reject the award if you have not incurred any additional costs related to campus closure due to coronavirus. 

Please contact your Financial Aid specialist if you have questions. Find your specialist and their contact information on Self-Service or at FA Specialist.  CARES Emergency Grants will be disbursed to you via BankMobile within one to two weeks of acceptance. 

We know that this has been a challenging time for all of us, and I admire your efforts to continue your education and further your own opportunities even in the challenges around COVID-19. Please contact your advisor for assistance in selecting your Spring/Summer schedule. Planning to come back next fall? Get a jump start on your 2021-22 FAFSA.

Wake Tech Student Services staff are ready to help you remotely in all of our support areas. If you need help with this process or anything else, please contact us at the Answer Center at 919-866-5000 or [email protected].

Be well,
Dr. Scott Ralls
President

About CARES Act Emergency Grants:

CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to cover some of the costs students have incurred due to changes to campus operations and the transition to online coursework, tutoring and student supports. Examples of such costs may include computers, tablets, web cameras, software and internet access.

A committee was established to determine how to disburse the funds within the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Eligibility criteria for the Fall 2020 grant awards included the following:

• Actively enrolled in at least 6 hours of curriculum classes in a program of study as of the date of disbursement. Students who are enrolled in exclusively online programs were not eligible.
• Submitted the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), was been deemed Title IV eligible as defined by Section 484 of the Higher Education Act, and was an Estimated Family Contribution of zero dollars.
• Qualified for but was not awarded an FSEOG for 2020-21.
• Did not receive a CARES Emergency Aid Grant in 2019-20.
• To receive funds, students must read and accept the terms that they incurred expenses due to the changes in campus operations from the coronavirus outbreak. 

Beginning January 25, 2021, a message was distributed through the financial aid notification system to notify students of their eligibility for a grant:

Dear <student>

Your 20/21 financial aid offer has been processed or updated and is now available to view online. Review your Offer Letter by logging into Self Service and clicking on Financial Aid. This will bring you to Financial Aid Self-Service, where there is a drop-down menu that includes "My Awards" and "Offer Letter," among other things that you can review. If you need a hard copy of your Offer Letter, you should print it from Self-Service.

Important information regarding your award, such as book store dates, refund check dates, terms and conditions of your award, Satisfactory Academic Progress policy, etc., is also available by visiting (external website URL).

• If you have received federal student loans, you can click on the following link to see repayment options, including a repayment estimator based on your current indebtedness: (external website URL)
• Eligible students are automatically awarded a Direct Loan with a status of "P," or Pending. You are required to accept or reject any loan awards online via Financial Aid Self-Service.  
• If you want to reduce your loan amounts, make your reductions before accepting the loans. Once you accept your loans via Financial Aid Self-Service, you will not be able to make online changes; you will have to submit a Loan Change Request form.
• If you are on financial aid warning for the current term, your next semester's award is entered as "D," or Denied. After grades are reviewed and it is determined that you have achieved the required GPA and/or completion rate, the awards will be changed to Accepted. If you are not meeting the standards, the award will be deleted, and you will be responsible for payment. Please refer to the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy at https://tinyurl.com/WTCC-SAPpage if you are unsure of the requirements to continue receiving financial aid. Satisfactory Academic Progress is reviewed at the end of each semester.

Although this additional information is not being mailed, you are responsible for being aware of its content, as it relates to policies and procedures required to maintain financial aid eligibility and to ensure prompt delivery of your funds. 

For faster service, if you have questions, please submit them on the Financial Aid contact form at  https://www.waketech.edu/financial-aid/contact. Best wishes for a successful year.

Your Student ID is: @ID
Wake Technical Community College
9101 Fayetteville Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
Ph: 919-866-5410

Beginning March 2, 2021, phone calls were made to students who had not taken any action, encouraging them to review and accept their grant award.

Wake Tech’s Financial & Business Services staff continued the email campaign to notify students that unclaimed CARES Emergency Grants issued through the BankMobile system had been returned to the college. Staff requested that students provide a current mailing address so that checks could be sent to them.

(Student Name)

Wake Technical Community College issued you a CARES refund on 10/19/20. We have received those funds back from BankMobile due to check being returned. Please email me with a correct mailing address as soon as possible so we can mail a check to you. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, funds will expire and will no longer be available for you.  

Thanks!

Ongoing communication: Wake Tech’s Financial & Business Services staff continued the email campaign to notify students that unclaimed CARES Emergency Grants issued through the BankMobile system had been returned to the college. Staff requested that students provide a current mailing address so that checks could be sent to them.

(Student Name)

Wake Technical Community College issued you a CARES refund on <date>. We have received those funds back from BankMobile due to check being returned. Please email me with a correct mailing address as soon as possible so we can mail a check to you. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, funds will expire and will no longer be available for you.  

Thanks!

Report 7: There were no student communications related to CARES Act funds awarded during this period, as students received Emergency Financial Aid Grants from CRRSAA/HEERF II funds.