The Federal CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides economic relief to students who incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student's cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care).
Missouri State University-West Plains is committed to providing this economic relief money directly to our students in as transparent and expeditious a manner as possible. Undoubtedly, there will be questions regarding who is eligible to receive these funds, how the money will be distributed to students, and how receipt of CARES Act funding may impact a student's other finances. Please review the FAQ items below for additional guidance.
Required reporting
All institutions receiving CARES Act funding are required to complete multiple reports.
Access Missouri State-West Plains' CARES Act Reports
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did I get this money?
- The Department of Education has made CARES Act funds available to students who incurred expenses as a result of COVID-19 related disruptions to their campus operations. In our initial round of fund distributions, Missouri State-West Plains identified a pool of eligible students that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 related disruptions to normal campus operations. These students received a $250 immediate assistance grant on April 29, 2020 under Phase 1 of the distribution process.
- The university sent $250 to students who met all of the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at MSU-WP.
- Not enrolled exclusively in an online program on March 13, 2020.
- Have an expected family contribution of less than $12,001.
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
(Continue reading for details on Phase 2 distributions).
- I got this money as a refund. Does this mean my Missouri State-West Plains account
balance has been paid off?
- No. Distribution of CARES Act funds is made directly to students and not applied by
the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student.
As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their
financial obligations to Missouri State-West Plains for any debts incurred during
the spring 2020 term or any terms prior. Please check your current account balance
to determine what you may still owe.
- No. Distribution of CARES Act funds is made directly to students and not applied by
the University toward any outstanding balances that may still be owed by the student.
As such, receipt of these funds does not indicate the recipient has satisfied their
financial obligations to Missouri State-West Plains for any debts incurred during
the spring 2020 term or any terms prior. Please check your current account balance
to determine what you may still owe.
- Can I use this money to pay off my MSU-WP balance?
- Yes. Missouri State-West Plains is not authorized to apply CARES Act funds toward
any outstanding balances that may still be owed by a student. However, once the funds
are received as a refund, students may choose to use the funds to pay off their outstanding
account balance.
- Yes. Missouri State-West Plains is not authorized to apply CARES Act funds toward
any outstanding balances that may still be owed by a student. However, once the funds
are received as a refund, students may choose to use the funds to pay off their outstanding
account balance.
- Can MSU-WP just apply the funds to my account balance with my approval or permission?
- No. Federal regulations stipulate that all CARES Act funds must be disbursed directly
to the student and may not be applied toward outstanding balances. To use these funds
to pay-off an outstanding balance with MSU-WP, a student can make a payment to their
account online through My Grizzly Den or by mailing payment to the Business Office.
- No. Federal regulations stipulate that all CARES Act funds must be disbursed directly
to the student and may not be applied toward outstanding balances. To use these funds
to pay-off an outstanding balance with MSU-WP, a student can make a payment to their
account online through My Grizzly Den or by mailing payment to the Business Office.
- What are the eligibility criteria to qualify for CARES Act funding?
- Based on guidance provided by the Department of Education, students must meet the
following eligibility parameters to qualify for CARES Act funds:
- Be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (e.g., be eligible to receive federal financial aid funds such as the Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Direct Loans, etc.).
- Not enrolled in an exclusively online program on or prior to March 13, 2020.
- Be a degree-seeking student enrolled in 1 or more credit hours for the Spring 2020 term.
- Based on guidance provided by the Department of Education, students must meet the
following eligibility parameters to qualify for CARES Act funds:
- Am I eligible to receive CARES Act funds if I have a terminated Satisfactory Academic
Progress (SAP) status?
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students with a
terminated SAP status are not eligible for CARES Act fund distributions.
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students with a
terminated SAP status are not eligible for CARES Act fund distributions.
- Are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students eligible for CARES Act
funds?
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students must be
eligible to submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for the CARES Act funds. This limits
eligibility to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other Title IV eligible non-citizens.
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students must be
eligible to submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for the CARES Act funds. This limits
eligibility to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other Title IV eligible non-citizens.
- Are international students eligible for CARES Act funds?
- No. Guidance issued by the Department of Education indicates that students must be eligible to submit a FAFSA in order to qualify for the CARES Act funds. This limits eligibility to U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or other Title IV eligible non-citizens.
- Do I have to pay this money back?
- No. Any funds a student receives from the CARES Act will not need to be repaid.
- No. Any funds a student receives from the CARES Act will not need to be repaid.
- Does this money count against my financial aid package?
- No. Money from the CARES Act is not considered financial assistance under federal
statue, nor Department of Education regulations. As such, these funds will not impact
your eligibility for regular financial aid (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).
- No. Money from the CARES Act is not considered financial assistance under federal
statue, nor Department of Education regulations. As such, these funds will not impact
your eligibility for regular financial aid (e.g., grants, scholarships, loans).
- Is money received from the CARES Act considered taxable income?
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses,
unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on
account of the COVID-19 pandemic are qualified disaster relief payments under section
139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses,
unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on
account of the COVID-19 pandemic are qualified disaster relief payments under section
139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.
- If I received money from Phase 1 ($250) but still have need, can I get more money?
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process
will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4, eligible
students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the
application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.
(Ends May 15, 2020.)
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process
will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4, eligible
students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the
application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.
- If I did not receive money from Phase 1 will I qualify for Phase 2 distributions?
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process
will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4 eligible
students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the
application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.
(Ends May 15, 2020.)
- Possibly. Phase 2 of the Missouri State-West Plains CARES Act distribution process
will be an application-based funding request process. Starting on Monday, May 4 eligible
students will be able to request up to $1,000 in Phase 2 CARES Act funds using the
application found under the "Financial Aid Awards" section of their My Grizzly Den account.