CARES Act Funding

About the CARES Act

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected your lives. It has caused many of you to experience significant emotional and financial stress while trying to keep yourselves and your families healthy and safe.

Green River College has been allocated funds from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The CARES Act established and funded the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to provide emergency financial aid grants. These critical funds will help eligible GRC students cover expenses related to unanticipated travel, additional technology requirements, or other needs related to an emergency situation.

Green River College is here for you and we want to help you succeed!

During this uncertain time, we want to support you with the tools necessary to continue and complete your educational journey. Therefore, we are excited to announce that additional funding is available from the CARES Act, and other Green River emergency resources, to support students with expenses, including technology, course materials, and living expenses. Fill out an online application today to apply for emergency funding.

Apply for Emergency Funding

Student must be enrolled for current quarter to qualify for emergency grant funding.
Some funding sources have specific qualifications, including minimum number of enrolled credits.

Summer applications close 8/6/2020
Fall applications open 8/7/20 (must be enrolled in classes for Fall 2020)
Fall application will begin to be reviewed on 9/8/2020

Visit the Green River College Virtual Assistance page for Green River resources and support.

Funding Sources

CARES

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits for current quarter
  • Must be eligible for federal financial aid; resident or non-resident okay
  • Must have complete 2019-20 or 2020-21 FAFSA on file
  • Must be in good academic standing
  • To be used for student's expenses caused by COVID-19 pandemic; cannot be used for tuition or fees or to purchase school supplies or technology for children who are not GRC students.

SEAG

  • Enrolled in 6 or more credits for current quarter
  • Must be Washington resident
  • FAFSA/WASFA not required
  • No requirements around academic standing
  • To be used for educational or living expenses; cannot be used for tuition or fees

Gator Pledge

  • Must be enrolled for current quarter, no minimum number of credits
  • International, non-resident, and federal financial aid ineligible okay
  • FAFSA/WASFA not required
  • No requirements around academic standing
  • To be used for educational or living expenses; limited funds available for tuition and fees
    • Typically requires a bill in the student's name

Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the application on our Student Support Grant Application page.

Green River College has several funding sources available to help students with emergency needs. We encourage all currently registered students in need to apply for assistance. One common application is used for all these sources.

  • The federal CARES Act supplies money to schools to assist students. In order to qualify for CARES money, students must have completed their 2019-20 or 2020-21 FAFSA.
  • Other emergency resources include Gator Pledge, United Way, and the state Student Emergency Assistance Grant. Many of these are open to all students regardless of financial aid eligibility, residency, or citizenship.

Emergency funding is not related to income. Many students in need are eligible to receive assistance regardless of their financial aid status. However, to be eligible for CARES Act money, you must complete a 2019-20 or 2020-21 FAFSA.

A variety of funding is available to currently enrolled students, regardless of academic performance. If you have questions about your academic standing, please contact the Progress and Completion Center.

No, however funding is limited. Apply as soon as possible.

  • Emergency funding can be used to help pay for expenses such as technology, course materials, living expenses, childcare, and transportation.

  • CARES Act money cannot be used for tuition and fees

Award amounts will be considered based on student requests. Green River College wants to use our funding to help students in the most equitable manner.

  • For now, we anticipate it will take approximately one week to receive funding if you are approved. Depending on the number of applications we receive and how long it takes you to complete your FAFSA (if needed) and set-up a BankMobile account, it may take longer.

  • We will also provide a list of college and community resources that you may wish to access.

The information on this page was sent to current students through individual student emails on May 6, 2020. A link was also made available through a banner on CANVAS.

Green River College acknowledges that the institution has signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and the assures that the institution 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.

Date of Report 10/5/2020
Total funds received for Emergency Financial Aid Grants $2,381,821
Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to date  $2,348,748
Estimated number of students eligible to participate in Title IV and eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants  3,500 
Total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant 2,725

All students were impacted by the move to online instruction. For our highest need, part- and full-time students (Pell grant eligible) we distributed $300 during spring quarter for internet and technology needs.

All students eligible for Title IV (Financial Aid) funding can apply for emergency funding through the emergency funding application. A committee reviews requests for emergency funding and offers wrap around support services as appropriate.

Previous Reports

Date of Report 7/7/2020
Total funds received for Emergency Financial Aid Grants $2,381,821
Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to date  $1,230,959.08
Estimated number of students eligible to participate in Title IV and eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants  3,500 
Total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant 1,529

Date of Report 5/11/20 
Total funds received for Emergency Financial Aid Grants $2,381,821
Total amount of Emergency Financial Aid Grants Distributed to date  $370,000 
Estimated number of students eligible to participate in Title IV and eligible for Emergency Financial Aid Grants  3,500 
Total number of students who have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant 1,232