Published May 21, 2020
Dodge City Community College (DC3) will distribute $474,632 in federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to qualifying students in order to alleviate financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The disbursement from the U.S. Department of Education is intended to reach as many students as possible and assist with expenses related to the pandemic and disruption of classes this semester,” Susie Edwards, DC3 Interim Director of Financial Aid, said. “Students who experienced financial hardships during the spring semester will be awarded funds to be used for technology, health care, childcare, course materials, rent, food, moving or other expenses.”
Edwards said applications are being reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis by the DC3 Financial Aid Office. And DC3 is also automatically using 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Title IV aid information to determine students’ eligibility.
“All students were awarded funds based on their Expected Family Contribution (EFC),” Edwards said. “These students also were sent an application to complete, via the email address listed on the FAFSA, to receive additional CARES Act funding for emergency relief funds due to disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Eligible students can receive between $750 and $1,000 in CARES Act funding, which is based on their EFC numbers,” Edwards said. “And all disbursement checks will be mailed to the student’s current address on file.”
Edwards said it’s important to note that students cannot directly apply CARES Act funds to their existing account balances at DC3. However, after they have deposited their checks, they can then use these funds to pay account balances, she said.
Eligible students for Summer 2020 also may be considered for CARES Act funding, if Spring 2020 funds are not exhausted first—and they are also enrolled for the Spring 2020 term, she said.
In total, DC3 received $949,264 in CARES Act and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) aid from the U.S. Department of Education. An extra $61,322 of HEERF-Minority Serving Institution funds was also recently awarded to provide additional aid to the college, Edwards said.
“By law, DC3 is required to expend half of its original total funding dollars in direct funding to eligible students,” Dr. Glendon Forgey, DC3 Vice President for Administration and Finance, said. “The other half will be used to offset room and board refunds, revenue losses, and technology expenses that will enable students to transition to distance learning.”
For more information about CARES Act funding, emergency grant funding, or FAFSA, contact the DC3 Financial Aid office at (620) 227-9313 or finaid@dc3.edu. #ConqsCare #WeAreDC3 #ThisIsHowWeConquer
By Lance Ziesch