APPLICATION CLOSED // As of February 2, 2022, the COVID Relief Fund application is closed. We received over 1,000 applications for funding. We are still processing applications submitted prior to Feb. 2. Processing may take 6-8 weeks. If you have not received any notification within that time, please contact the financial aid office at financialaid@wvc.edu or by calling (509) 682-6810.

In response to the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, Wenatchee Valley College is working hard to meet the needs of students on an individual basis and to ensure safety and retention of our students. There are federal grants currently available to support students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Apply for funding

Student ARP Act funding will provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Funds will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. The maximum award amount is $3,000. This money is not a loan and does not have to be repaid. All currently enrolled students are encouraged to apply.

To apply for COVID relief funding, you must complete the COVID-19 Student Relief Form. You will be asked to describe your circumstances and how COVID-19 has affected your ability to cover your cost. You may also be asked to provide supporting documentation to verify your need.

Emergency funding is limited.  All eligible students are encouraged to complete a Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) for both 2021-2022 year and if attending next year, 2022-2023.  If you are not eligible for federal funds due to citizenship status, you may qualify for state funds by completing the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA).

What is the ARP Act?

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) is an act signed by Congress to provide emergency grants to students facing financial challenges related to the pandemic. WVC will receive $3.9 million in emergency relief funds for eligible students.

ARP is one of three acts designed to support colleges and students under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds. 

Student Relief Award Criteria

ARP Act funding will provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Funds will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. The maximum award amount is $3,000. This money is not a loan and does not have to be repaid.

All currently enrolled students are encouraged to apply. If students are not sure if they qualify or if they have questions, they can contact CaresFund@wvc.edu.

All other resources, including student’s financial aid, will be considered to meet the requested need prior to providing relief funds. Students with demonstrated high financial need receive priority consideration. If students already received funding in the previous rounds of relief funding, they are still eligible to apply for additional funds.

If not eligible for federal grant funds, students may still qualify for assistance through the WVC counseling office. Please contact them at 509-682-6850 or by email at Bsanchez@wvc.edu or Rpoortinga@wvc.edu.

Eligible expense examples

Examples of expenses that may be considered for funding include:

• Utilities
• Car repairs or emergency transportation
• School-related expenses, including, technology needs, laptops, internet service, textbooks
• Safety-related needs
• Emergency temporary lodging if you find yourself homeless or in an unsafe situation
• Temporary food insecurity
• Emergency medical treatment/medication/prescriptions when you do not have the ability to pay and the costs cannot be covered by insurance
• Travel expenses to return home in the case of a sudden family death or other emergency
• Inability to pay tuition and fees due to loss of employment that is COVID-19 related
  
  

How will I receive the funds?

Funds will be distributed by Bank Mobile.  Students will be sent an enrollment kit if they have not already enrolled with Bank Mobile. When applying for assistance, students are also agreeing that funds can be directly applied to unpaid tuition and fees.  

Contact

If you have questions or need more information:

• Email caresfund@wvc.edu
• Call financial aid: 509-682-6810
• Call counseling services: 509-682-6850

What additional resources are available?

In addition to ARP Act funding, WVC also offers:

• Emergency funding 
• Information about local resources
• WVC food pantry curbside pickup on both campuses

For more information, contact WVC Counseling Services: Bertha Sanchez, bsanchez@wvc.edu or Ryan Poortinga, rpoortinga@wvc.edu.

All students in need of help have access to these additional resources, regardless of level of education, citizenship, etc. 

ARP Act FAQs