*The following FAQs are prior to June 17, 2020. Click here to view the most up-to-date information.

 

Q: What is the CARES Act?

A: The CARES Act stands for Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) and is emergency relief funding for higher education. Through the CARES Act, Congress authorized $14 billion in funding for U.S. colleges and universities.
 

Q: Who is eligible?

A: Students must be enrolled and be eligible for Title IV funding. Students must complete a 2019-2020 FAFSA by May 15 to be considered for eligibility. If you have completed a FAFSA application you may be eligible but must meet the criteria below.

To be a Title IV-eligible student, the student must meet the following:

• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree, certificate or other recognized educational credential (including a program of study abroad approved for credit by the eligible institution at which such student is enrolled)--that is, a regular student under 34 CFR 600.2);
   
• Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school and have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent;
   
• Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress (SAP) if the student is a currently enrolled student;
   
• Not owe an overpayment (refund) on Title IV grants;
   
• Not be in default on a Title IV loan;
   
• File with ED “as part of the original financial aid application process” a certification (Statement of Educational Purpose) that includes:
   
• A statement of educational purpose, and
   
• The student’s Social Security Number (SSN);
   
• Be a U.S citizen or national, a permanent resident, or an eligible noncitizen;
   
• Have returned any fraudulently obtained Title IV funds, if the student is convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges;
   
• Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits;
   
• Have repaid any Title IV loan overpayment amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits, if obtained inadvertently;
   
• Have his Selective Service registration verified (the Title IV aid ineligibility for failure to register is actually in the Selective Service Act §3811(f));
   
• Have a valid SSN, except for residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau; and
   
• Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations.

Q: Who is NOT eligible?

A: Students who have not filled out a 2019-2020 FAFSA, are not enrolled or who are not eligible for Title IV funding. Also, based on the requirements of the CARES Act, the following students are also NOT eligible:

• Incarcerated students
• Students enrolled in strictly noncredit courses
• International students
• Undocumented students
• Students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent

Q: If I complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA now will I get CARES funds?

A: Students must complete the 2019-2020 FAFSA by May 15 in order to be considered for the CARES funds. The student who has already completed a FAFSA, been paid either a PELL, loan or SEOG and is still Title IV eligible will receive the first disbursement on May 8, 2020. All other students will need to complete the FAFSA by May 15 so that the Financial Aid Office can determine their Title IV eligibility. If they are eligible, students will receive CARES funds in the second disbursement. Eligible students will get one payment at either the first disbursement or the second, but not both. The AVC Federal School Code to complete the FAFSA is 001113. You can find instructions on how to complete the application here.

Q: How much money will I receive?

A: AVC will allocate $55 per enrolled credit unit for Pell students and $35 per enrolled credit unit for non-Pell students. As an example, a Pell student enrolled in 15 credit units will receive $825 and an eligible non-Pell student enrolled in 15 credit units will receive $525. You must be enrolled in the Spring 2020 term at the time of disbursement.

Q: When will AVC be disbursing the funds?

A: There will be two initial distributions for the CARES grant. Due to the requirement of students having to be eligible for Title IV funding, those who received Title IV aid in Spring 2020, will receive the first distribution by May 8, 2020. The second distribution will include those who did not receive Title IV assistance in the Spring 2020. Eligible students will get one payment at either the first disbursement or the second, but not both. The second distribution will be processed May 29, 2020.

Q: How do I get my money?

A: The funds will be disbursed to your student account. If you have a BankMobile account, it will be distributed based upon your already identified preference. If you do not have a BankMobile account, information will be coming in the mail and via email about setting up your payment preference. See more information about BankMobile below. Please make sure your mailing address is current in myAVC. Instructions about how to do that were sent to students.

Q: Why did you decide to disburse the funds in this way?

A: College leadership worked hard to maximize the amount of funds to students and decided to provide assistance based on how many units the students were enrolled in for the spring 2020 term. We also provided more assistance to students who receive Pell grants, as those students typically have more of a financial need. In addition, we needed to ensure that the allocation follows the Chancellor’s Office Vision for Success and District Equity Plan.

Q: Will there be any funding for those who are not eligible?

A: The Chancellor’s Office is aware of the lack of funding for undocumented students. Options are being explored and information will be provided when it becomes available. This is the only information we have at this time in regards to the groups of students who are not eligible.

Q: If I have direct deposit established for getting paid for my work on campus but I do not receive Financial Aid, can my funds be deposited through my established direct deposit?

A: All students must select their refund preference with BankMobile. You can select the ACH option as a preference on BankMobile.

Q: I have further questions about the CARES funding, who do I contact?

A: While the campus is closed, please email Financial_aid@avc.edu for the most rapid response. You also may leave a voicemail by calling 661-722-6300 and choose the Financial Aid office. When campus reopens you may visit the Financial Aid Office.  

 

BankMobile Information  

Antelope Valley College has partnered with BankMobile to deliver refunds and offer you smarter ways to manage your money.

Look for your Refund Selection Kit. It looks like this:
 

 

Once it arrives, simply follow these steps to make your refund preference selection:

1. Visit https://www.refundselection.com

2. Enter your Personal Code

3. Create your login information

4. Select how you'd like to receive your money.
 

What happens if I don’t log in and select a refund preference?

If you do not log in and select a refund preference, BankMobile will mail a paper check to you no sooner than 21 days after your refund is disbursed. Regardless of whether you anticipate receiving a refund or not, it is important to select your refund preference as soon as you receive the refund selection kit so that you do not have to wait for your money.
 

How long will it take to receive my funds once I have selected my preferred refund method?

Once the college has refunded your financial aid funds, BankMobile will distribute your funds as follows:

·   Direct deposit to your own checking or savings account: 2-3 business days

·   BankMobile Vibe account: Same business day

What if I didn’t receive the BankMobile Refund Selection Kit?

The BankMobile Refund Selection Kit is mailed to the mailing address on file with Admissions and Records. If you did not receive the mailer, please verify and/or update your current mailing address on your MyAVC account. Once your mailing address is confirmed please visit the financial aid office to request a Personal Code.
 

Where can I check to see if my financial aid disbursement is ready?

An email will be sent to your AVC email account whenever a refund/disbursement has been processed.

ATM Locator Website http://www.allpointnetwork.com/atm-locators.aspx

Click Here to view our institution's contract with BankMobile, a division of Customer Bank.

For more information about BankMobile disbursements please visit http://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/.