The information below is provided in compliance with the Department of Education’s CARES Act Reporting requirements.  The information in this report was compiled on May 29, 2020, and will be updated every quarter.

An acknowledgement that the institution 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.

Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) signed and returned the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Agreement to receive CARES Act funding on April 14, 2020. NWSCC has used no less than 50% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Grants to students.

The total amount of funds that the institution will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the institution’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

Northwest Shoals Community College received funds in the amount of $1,034,735 from the US Department of Education for CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grants to be distributed to students.

The total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of the date of submission (i.e., as of the 30-day Report and every 45 days thereafter).

As of May 27, 2020, Northwest Shoals Community College has distributed $1,034,735 directly to eligible students, in accordance with Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. All funds have been expended; therefore, this is the last report.

The estimated total number of students at the institution 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.

Northwest Shoals Community College had 1,455 students eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act. The CARES Act provides emergency financial aid grant funds to address the financial need of students due to the disruption of campus operations and the related expenses they incurred.  Therefore, the CARES Act limited eligibility of emergency grants to students who were actively participating in courses and programs that were not exclusively online on or after March 16.  Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education determined that international and undocumented students were not eligible for federal grants.

Within the total population, institutions were instructed to determine eligibility criteria for distribution of the grant and encouraged to prioritize students with the greatest need.

The total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of May 27, 2020, Northwest Shoals Community College had distributed CARES Act funds to 1,455 eligible students.

The method(s) used by the institution to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Students who met all of the following criteria received funds:

  • Students working towards a degree or certificate at Northwest Shoals Community College
  • Students enrolled in at least one traditional (in-person) course on either campus of Northwest Shoals Community College as of March 16, 2020
  • Students who have a valid 2019-2020 FAFSA on file with the Financial Aid Office
  • Students who have a satisfactory academic progress (SAP) status
  • Students enrolled at Northwest Shoals Community College during the spring 2020 semester (with exception to those who exclusively attended Spring Mini I Term)

Any instructions, directions or guidance provided by the institution to students concerning the Emergency Financial Aid Grants.

Northwest Shoals Community College notified recipients by email notifying them of their eligibility for CARES Act funds. The eligibility email was sent to their Northwest Shoals Community College email address.

Awards were $711.16 per student for a total of $1,034,735. All funds have been expended at this time.