Wittenberg University will disburse $2,257,383 million in total funding to students as part of the Higher Education Relief Fund III & the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 through the U.S. Department of Education (ED).
The funds that were allocated for immediate student distribution were provided to offset any costs that students may have incurred during the global health pandemic. They were released beginning Sept. 20.
This funding, as per federal guidelines, is provided to students who are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid as defined by the FAFSA and is provided to offset any costs that may have incurred in this new learning environment. The formula that the U.S. Department of Education used to determine the funds available for Wittenberg students is based on the number of Pell-eligible students enrolled and the University’s total enrollment.
Based on student eligibility parameters, awards ranged from $325 to $2,850. Wittenberg-based award determinations used the following parameters: enrollment status, FAFSA filing status, and Pell grant eligibility. All currently enrolled students were reviewed for funding consideration. For additional details click here.
Wittenberg will disburse funds to qualifying students automatically in the next few days via the refund preference selected through BankMobile on the Wittenberg OneCard managed through Student Accounts. Once the funds have been disbursed, students will receive a confirmation email from BankMobile. Students were also able to elect to use the funds to pay current student billing account balances. Copies of the student authorizations to maintain funds on student accounts is held within the Office of Student Accounts. No funds were set aside for future use.
“Wittenberg University has spent the last several weeks preparing for the release of funds from the U.S. Department of Education,” said Amy Barnhart, director of financial aid. “We reviewed every enrolled student for funding consideration, and we wanted to be sure that awards from this round of federal funding would have an immediate impact on our students and their families.”
This is a one-time funding being made from federal funds and is not considered financial aid. The disbursement is designed to prioritize students with the greatest demonstrated need and ensure that funds are distributed as widely as possible. The ARP Act is one of the many ways that Wittenberg is addressing the needs of students during this health crisis.
During an assessment of student eligibility, Wittenberg determined that 1,301 currently enrolled students met the criteria set by ARP/ED. FAFSA data as of Sept. 17, 2021, was used to determine demonstrated financial need. Additionally, the following metrics were used to determine student eligibility:
- Students must have been enrolled for the current semester as of Sept. 17, 2021.
- Students must have been determined to meet all other ARP/U.S. Department of Education funding requirements.
The global health crisis presents a challenge unlike anything Wittenberg has faced in modern times – an unprecedented challenge that changes daily and has no definitive end. Tigers coming together as one can help Wittenberg continue to serve the needs of the campus community. To stay up-to-date on Wittenberg’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
