FAQs About COVID Relief Funds

  1. Who is eligible for Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)?

    Any student with a high school diploma/high school equivalency who is enrolled as a degree-seeking student or in short-term training at Polk State College is eligible for HEERF grant funds. Out-of-state students may be eligible for funding.

  2. Who is not eligible?

    Transient students or dual-enrolled high school students are not eligible.

  3. How are HEERF grant funds applied to a student account?

    Polk State College will apply federal and state financial aid and scholarship funds to a student’s account first and then use HEERF grant funds to cover the remaining balance. HEERF grant funds will be used to fill the gap so that tuition and fees are covered for the requested academic term(s).

  4. What expenses are eligible for HEERF grant funds?

    HEERF grant funds will be applied to tuition and fees charged to student accounts during the Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and/or Spring 2022 terms. Students must identify the specific terms for which they would like to be considered for funding.

  5. How do students apply for funding?

    Students who meet HEERF eligibility criteria must file their 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), and complete the application for HEERF funding.

  6. What are all the steps students must complete to be considered for a HEERF grant?

    • Complete the 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
    • Complete the HEERF application and submit the application electronically.
    • Complete, if you are a new student, the admission application and all materials requested by the Admission Office.
    • Complete all financial aid materials requested by the Student Financial Services Office.

    Complete, if you are a returning student and did not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards for financial aid eligibility, the appeal form to be considered for financial aid.

  7. How will I know if I have received HEERF grant funds and how much it will be?

    Students can view all their financial aid records in PASSPORT. Students who have completed the HEERF grant funds application will be notified through their my.6317p.com email accounts about their funding awards. Please note that awards under the HEERF emergency program are considered emergency assistance awards rather than federal financial aid.

  8. What if I am in default on my loans?

    A defaulted loan status will not prevent students from receiving funds. However, students must complete the process of filing a  2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and completing the HEERF application.

  9. What if my aid has been taken away due to my GPA or completion rate; or for not meeting the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards?

    Students will still qualify for HEERF grant funds. Students must complete the process of filing a 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)submit any required documents, submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal for financial aid, as well as complete the HEERF application.  If the Satisfactory Academic Progress appeal is denied, a student may still be eligible for assistance.

  10. What if I have a past-due balance?

    The College can assist students with paying past-due balances using federal dollars. Students are encouraged to indicate in the comment section on the HEERF application if they need assistance to cover a prior balance on their student account.

  11. If I have a major change in my family’s financial circumstances, may I apply for additional funds to cover my cost of attendance at Polk State?

    Yes. Federal guidelines allow for professional judgment to be used to evaluate modifications to a student’s cost of attendance or an individual’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Students and parents who have had a significant change in their financial circumstances may complete the form which can be downloaded from the Polk State website here: oke.6317p.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-22-Professional-Judgement-ADA-06.29.21.pdf to apply for a Professional Judgment Review.

  12. I am a dual enrollment student at the College. Do I qualify for HEERF assistance?

    No.  To be eligible at Polk State for HEERF assistance, individuals must have completed their high school diploma or earned a GED equivalent. Individuals must also be enrolled in a degree program or a short-term training program at Polk State.

  13. I have a prior degree. Do I qualify for HEERF grant funds?

    Yes. Any student with a high school diploma/high school equivalency who is enrolled as a degree-seeking student or in short-term training at Polk State College is eligible for HEERF grant funds. Students who meet HEERF eligibility criteria must file their 2021-2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), complete all required documents, and complete the application for HEERF funding.

  14. How soon will I receive a notification about my eligibility for the HEERF grant funds to help cover my tuition and fees?

    After an individual’s FAFSA has been received and all required documents have been processed, the individual will initially receive an award notification for financial aid. After the amount of federal financial aid is determined, the College will review the cost of tuition, and fees, and determine the amount of HEERF grant funds awarded to assist the individual with direct costs.

  15. Is out-of-district tuition or out-of-state tuition covered?

    Yes, all tuition rates are funded if students meet the eligibility criteria.

  16. Whom should I contact with further questions?

    Additional questions should be sent to financialaid@6317p.com.