Galveston College HEERF American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) Fund
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grant is made possible by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). These funds are limited and do not need to be repaid. The funds may 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 childcare. The grant funds will give priority to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. However, students do not need to be Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants in order to receive an emergency aid grant.
All applications will be reviewed for eligibility and disbursed to students by check to the address on file with Admissions. Please check your address and make any changes on your Whitecaps portal.
All status updates, request for more information, required forms, documents, offer notices, disbursement information, etc. will be sent to your Whitecaps email only. Make sure that you currently have access to your Whitecaps email from this point forward. For questions or concerns about your access to the Whitecaps email or Whitecaps portal, contact the IT Service Desk at [email protected] or 409-944-1352.
Eligibility Requirements:
Funding under the HEERF grant is available to ALL enrolled students who have emergency costs incurred due to coronavirus. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is strongly encouraged. Apply for Aid Here.
In addition to federal (Title IV) financial aid eligible students, new guidance will now allow federal emergency assistance for DACA students, other similar undocumented students, international students studying under F1 and on other visas. Students enrolled in credit courses, high school dual-credit classes, and continuing education workforce programs at Galveston College are eligible for these funds.
Completing an application does not guarantee funding. Once approved, students are only eligible to receive funds once a semester.
The Galveston College application for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)is now available.
Disbursements and approval status notifications will begin September 15.
For questions, email [email protected].
| ⏰ Full-Time | (12 or more hours) $2000 |
| ⏰ Three-Quarter Time | (9-11 hours) $1500 |
| ⏰ Half-Time | (6-8 hours) $1000 |
| ⏰ Less -than-Half-Time | (1-5 hours) $500 |
| Continuing Education Workforce Program | $1000 |
Federal Emergency Aid
Eligible Expenses
| 📚 | Purchase Textbooks |
| 💻 | Access Technology Needed to Support Remote Learning |
| 🍽 | Buy Groceries |
| 🏠 | Pay Rent or Utility Bills |
| 🏥 | Pay Healthcare Expenses |
| 🧑🍼 | Pay Childcare Expenses |
| ✉️ | Tuition and Outstanding Balances |
Allocations to each individual college for student emergency aid were determined by the U.S. Department of Education.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief grants under all federal aid programs are based on emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus. The funding is not tied to exisiting financial aid programs such as Pell Grants and can be used by students for any component of the cost of attendance at the colleges.
Student eligibility requirements for all Federal Emergency Aid are based on guidance and criteria provided by the U.S. Department of Education.
Galveston College has received federal emergency funding for students from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund authorized by the CARES Act, the CRRSAA, and the ARP Act.
All three allocations will help Galveston College’s students manage the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 crisis and assist with the costs of attending college.
Based on the guidance and criteria provided by the US Department of Education, full or part-time students can apply. This includes those enrolled in academic courses, credit or no-credit bearing courses, dual enrollment courses, or continuing education courses.
Please see the eligibility section above for more details.
Emergency financial aid grants may be used for any component of your cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as textbooks, tuition, food, housing, healthcare (including mental healthcare) or childcare.
You determine how to use your emergency financial aid grant within the allowable uses.
Galveston College will work diligently to award emergency grants as soon as possible
after receipt of a student’s application, generally within 5 business days.
Any amount awarded will be visible on your myGC account upon approval.
To view your myGC account, follow these steps:
To review the Emergency Aid Funds:
- Log into your Whitecaps Portal
- Click on “myGC”
- Click on “Financial Aid”
- Click on “Review your Financial Aid Offer Letter” under the “Financial Aid Home” Title at the top
PLEASE NOTE:
Please allow up to 1-2 week for your application to be processed and for an email to be sent to your Whitecaps student email with status. The amount awarded may be more or less than the amount requested. Please budget accordingly.
How would you like the HEERF ARP funds applied?
Direct Payment by Check – May be used for any component of the cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus (tuition, food, housing, health care, (including mental health care) or child care.
Apply Funds to the Fall 2021 Balance – Funds will be applied to your outstanding Fall 2021 balance, including tuition, fees, housing cost, and/or meal plan. If any funds remain after applying to your balance, a check will be issued to your after September 15, 2021***
*** By signing the application electronically, you are affirmatively and voluntarily agree to this method of payment.
PLEASE NOTE:
Please allow up to 1-2 week for your application to be processed and for an email to be sent to your Whitecaps student email with status. The amount awarded may be more or less than the amount requested. Please budget accordingly.
1-5hrs. $500
6-9hrs. $1,000
9-11hrs. $1,500
12+ hrs. $2,000
Continuing Education Workforce Programs $1,000
Galveston College cannot guarantee that all applicants will be selected for funding or that they will receive the full amount of their request.
No. This grant will not be used in calculating your current or future financial aid awards.
Award amounts depend upon the availability of funds.
Due to this, we are not currently processing applications for a future semester. If funds remain once a future semester begins, we encourage you to apply at that time.
Remember, you can only apply and receive emergency funds one time during the Fall 2021 semester.
Questions? Contact Us.
Financial Aid Office
Monday - Tuesday
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
[email protected]
409-944-1235
409-944-1505