THE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL AID GRANT FUNDING AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND RELIEF SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT (CRRSSA) AND THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN (ARP) HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED. APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Financial Aid (financial-aid@swtc.edu, 608.822.2660)
  • Emergency Financial Aid Grant Summer 2021 - Fall 2023

  • Southwest Wisconsin Technical College Emergency Financial Aid Grant

    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College students impacted by COVID-19 can receive emergency assistance through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Funding can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

    Institutions who receive HEERF funds must prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. Beyond Pell eligibility, other types of exceptional need could include students who may be eligible for other federal or state need-based aid or have faced significant unexpected expenses, such as the loss of employment (either for themselves or their families), reduced income, or food or housing insecurity. To identify students with exceptional need, as required in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund regulations, Southwest Tech Financial Aid uses the Pell Grant eligibility as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and allows students to self-identify on the application for funds.

    Who is eligible to receive funds

    Students must meet the following criteria at the time of disbursement:

    • Accepted to and enrolled (taking at least one credit) in a financial aid eligible program
      • Students are eligible to apply for funds as of the first day of the semester they begin attending courses
    • Students currently enrolled in high school or non-financial aid eligible programs are not eligible to receive HEERF funds.

    How much funding can I receive each semester?

    The Emergency Financial Aid Grant is available to support students through the Spring 2022 semester or until the funding is depleted. Emergency Financial Aid Grant applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis each semester. The following award limits have been established effective June 1, 2021:

    • Students with exceptional need (as defined above):
      • 12 or more Credits $2,000
      • 9-11 Credits $1,500
      • 6-8 Credits $1,000
      • Less than 6 credits $500
    • Students without exceptional need:
      • 12 or more Credits $1,500
      • 9-11 Credits $750
      • 6-8 Credits $500
      • Less than 6 credits $250

    Timeframe and Process for Applications

    Southwest Tech Financial Aid staff will review applications within 48 business hours, and notification of approval or denial will be communicated with the student via their MySWTC student email.

    Approved applications will be paid on the following schedule:

    • Applications approved by 3:00 PM (CST) Thursday – Monday will be paid on Tuesday.
    • Applications approved by 3:00 PM (CST) Tuesday – Wednesday will be paid on Thursday.

    HEERF Reporting

  • Emergency Financial Aid Grant Spring 2021 Semester

  • Southwest Wisconsin Technical College students impacted by COVID-19 can receive emergency assistance through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSSA). Funding can be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to Coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care.

    Institutions who receive HEERF II funds must prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. To identify students with exceptional need, as required in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund regulations, Southwest Tech Financial Aid uses the Pell Grant eligibility as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

    Who will receive funds?

    Pell eligible student: All students who completed the FAFSA and are Pell Grant eligible will receive an Emergency Financial Aid Grant automatically if they meet the following criteria at the time of disbursement:

    • Enrolled in a financial aid eligible program
    • Enrolled in at least six credits as of the date the funds are disbursed
    • Be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen

    Grant amounts are as follows:

    • 12 semester credits or more – $250
    • 6 - 11 semester credits – $125

    Non-Pell Grant eligible, Non-FAFSA filing or Pell Grant students with exceptional need: Non-Pell Grant eligible and non-FAFSA filing students who are experiencing an emergency related situation due to the coronavirus can apply for up to $500 by completing the Emergency Financial Aid Grant application. Additionally, Pell Grant students with additional need can apply for funds through the application process. Emergency Financial Aid Grant applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis each semester.

    Students applying through the application process must meet the following criteria at the time of disbursement:

    • Accepted to and enrolled (taking at least one credit) in a financial aid eligible program
    • Be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen

    Although HEERF II funds do not require a FAFSA application, we are required to verify citizenship status under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, so non-FAFSA filing students must self-certify citizenship.

    How much funding can I receive each semester?

    The Emergency Financial Aid Grant is available to support students through the Fall 2021 semester or until the funding is depleted. The following award limits have been established:

    • Pell Grant eligible students can receive a maximum of $750.00 per semester.
    • Non-Pell Grant eligible and non-FAFSA filing students can receive a maximum of $500.00 per semester.

    *If you become Pell Grant eligible after completing the Emergency Financial Aid Grant Application, we will reconsider your eligibility for a potential increase.

    Timeframe and Process for Applications

    Pell eligible student

    Southwest Tech Financial Aid staff will post an Emergency Financial Aid Grant in the My Financial Aid section of the MySWTC Portal. Once Awards are loaded, students will be sent an email to notify them of the award.

    Student next steps are:

    • No action is needed on your part if you meet the criteria outlined in the award notice email. You will receive an automatic distribution of funds via paper check.
    • If you do not meet the criteria outline above, you can email financial-aid@swtc.edu and request the award be cancelled.
    • If you do not need the full amount of your award, you can email financial-aid@swtc.edu and request the award be reduced.

    By accepting the refund the Emergency Financial Aid Grant will generate, you are acknowledging you have a need for these funds to help with your educational costs during the term, or that you have incurred emergency costs arising due to Coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care), or child care. If you do not meet the criteria outline above, you can email financial-aid@swtc.edu and request the award be cancelled.

    Non-Pell Grant eligible, Non-FAFSA filing or Pell Grant students with exceptional need:

    If you are a not Pell Grant eligible, did not file a FAFSA or are a Pell Grant student with exceptional need, you can complete the Emergency Financial Aid Grant application:

    https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/24ad91ebb08243698f11e4b64814f8ef.

    Southwest Tech Financial Aid staff will review applications within 48 business hours, and notification of approval or denial will be communicated with the student via their MySWTC student email.

    Approved applications will be paid on the following schedule:

    • Applications approved by 3:00 PM (CST) Thursday – Monday will be paid on Tuesday.
    • Applications approved by 3:00 PM (CST) Tuesday – Wednesday will be paid on Thursday.
  • CARES Emergency Financial Aid Grant

  • The CARES Act funding has been distributed. Applications are now closed.

    CARES Act Student Funds Reporting

    CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund 30-Day Report

    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech) acknowledges that the college signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement, and 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. Southwest Tech received $391,815 from the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

    As of June 2, 2020 Southwest Tech has distributed $391,815 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to 253 students.

    Southwest Tech estimates 635 students in the Spring 2020 semester were 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.

    Southwest Tech requires students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for verification of eligibility to participate if Section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 as required by the Department of Education. As required under the CARES Act, the institution must identify students with the most need based on food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare due to the disruption of campus operations. The College does this through a self-reporting application. Using the application responses and any follow up documentation, reviewers verify eligibility based on CARES Act specifications and demonstrated need due to disruption of college operations. Communications via email, website presence, text messaging and a calling campaign assisted in educating students about this opportunity.

    Reporting Last Updated: 9/15/2020 - FINAL

    Prior Reports

    If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Financial Aid (financial-aid@swtc.edu, 608.822.2660)