Frequently Asked Questions

If I feel like I am experiencing flu-like symptoms, what should I do?

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms or think you might have COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you 1) stay home (do not visit public areas), 2) stay in touch with your doctor (call before you get medical care) and 3) avoid public transportation. Additionally, if you reside with other people, you should isolate yourself from them in a specific “sick room,” if possible.

What precautions should individuals on campus take?

While Waynesburg University is actively working to protect the campus community, we trust that each member will ultimately accept responsibility for their own health and safety and will act in a manner that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around them. All individuals are encouraged to communicate in a respectful manner regarding their comfort levels regarding masking and physical distancing.

What happens if I have a chronic medical condition with symptoms that overlap with those of COVID-19?

As a best practice, students should be reporting changes in health as a regular practice. The key here is "new or emerging symptoms,” so each person reporting symptoms should declare these symptoms in the context of their overall health history. This reporting would not include symptoms related to a chronic medical condition (for example, asthma that causes a cough, or, similarly, allergies that cause sneezing or the sniffles, or chronic headaches/migraines), or routine digestive problems which also appear as symptoms that overlap with those of COVID-19.

With symptoms such as a “new or worsening cough,” students should complete the Screening Machform at waynesburg.edu/screening , which triggers the following communication flow:

What happens if I come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?

In August 2022, the CDC issued new guidance pertaining to quarantining protocols for someone exposed to an individual with COVID-19, which states that quarantining at home, away from others is no longer necessary. A person exposed can go to work, attend school and be in other settings around people as long as they appropriately mask for 10 days following their exposure. That person is also suggested to test at least five days after the exposure. If the test is positive, isolation should take place at that time. If the test is negative, the person should continue to mask for the duration of the 10-day period.

If isolation is necessary, you will be moved to one of the isolation units on campus or could opt to go home or to another approved, safe, self-isolation location. Meals and other services will be provided. Remote learning options may be utilized.

Will the Pathways Center, Writing Center, Library and Counseling Center be open?

All of the aforementioned centers and offices will resume normal, in-person operations for the Fall 2022 semester. For more specific information, contact the respective center or office.

What about Health Services?

Waynesburg University’s fully staffed Health Services department is a vital piece to the success of the University’s strategy to keep students safe during the COVID-19 pandemic on campus. Health Services will interface directly with Washington Health System professionals who will provide the aforementioned services beyond the capabilities of this department such as physician consultation, referrals, prescriptions and hospital admissions, and critical care. Waynesburg’s Health Services will operate according to all of the recommended best practices from the CDC for COVID-19 prevention, care, testing, and treatment of any student.

Campus visits - ADMISSIONS OFFICE

As a prospective student, can I visit campus?

Yes, Waynesburg University is currently hosting personal campus visits and small group events. For more information on campus visit opportunities, please click here

Did Waynesburg University receive grant funding from the CRRSAA Act – HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Funding Portion?

10/7/2021 UPDATE: Please find the quarterly expenditures form for Q3 2021 (July-September 2021), that covers HEERF II CRRSAA expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds here: HEERF Quarterly Reporting (00339100_HEERF2_Q32021_101021). This is the final quarterly report for HEERF II CRRSAA expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds.

7/11/2021 UPDATE: Please find the quarterly expenditures form for Q2 2021 (April-June 2021), that covers HEERF II CRRSAA expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds here: HEERF Quarterly Reporting (Q2 2021 HEERF II – CRRSAA).

6/28/2021 UPDATE: Please find the quarterly expenditures form for Q1 2021 (Jan-March 2021), that covers HEERF II CRRSAA expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds here: HEERF Quarterly Reporting (Q1 2021 HEERF II – CRRSAA).

6/11/2021: Waynesburg University signed the Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF.) As a result, the University received $1,443,385 in institutional funding from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA – HEERF 2) on January 18, 2021. This funding has been utilized to-date for costs related to the coronavirus.

As a student, will I be receiving emergency grant funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) – HEERF II - Student Funding Portion?

6/11/2021 UPDATE: The information reported in the 3/16/2021 Update “964 students completed the CRRSAA Certification form to request the funding. Each of the 964 students received a payment of either $542.12, $792.12 or $1,042.12, depending on financial need. Disbursements were made on Tuesday, March 2, 2021” is the final report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Student Portion funds – CRRSAA Aid to Students funding . This report establishes assurance that the institution has used no less than the required amount of funds received to provide HEERF grants to students.

Waynesburg University's method of determining how much students would receive upon completion of the CRRSAA Certification form under CRRSAA Aid to Students was based on 2020-2021 FAFSA data. Three tiers were established from this information to determine award amounts and final distribution was as follows:

CRRSAA Aid to Students Distribution

Tier Number of Students Receiving Grants $ Amount of Grant Payment Total $ Amount of Grants Awarded
1: Federal Pell Grant Eligible 321 $1,042.12 $334,520.52
2: PA State Grant 153 $792.12 $121,194.36
3: Not eligible for Pell or PA State Grants 490 $542.12 $265,638.80
964 $721,353.68

3/16/2021: 964 students completed the CRRSAA Certification form to request the funding. Each of the 964 students received a payment of either $542.12, $792.12 or $1,042.12, depending on financial need. Disbursements were made on Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

2/5/2021: Waynesburg University was awarded funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERFII), established under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). As a result, the University received $721,352 on January 18, 2021, to distribute to eligible students as emergency grants to students.

The CRRSAA defines basic student eligibility requirements while permitting the University to determine the distribution method.

To qualify for CRRSAA grants, students must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for federal aid purposes.

Grant recipients must use the money “for expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, child care, transportation, disability services, tuition and other related costs.”

The University expects to notify students who meet preliminary eligibility requirements during the week of February 8. To receive a grant, those students must complete a CRRSAA Certification form. On the form, students will be asked to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements and that they will use the grant funds in accordance with federal regulations. Instructions for accessing the form will be included in the notification to students who meet preliminary eligibility requirements.

The University plans to distribute the funds to all eligible students who submit the CRRSAA Certification form by February 22. We estimate that 1,154 students meet the preliminary eligibility requirements, but will finalize that total after all forms are received on the February 22, 2021, deadline. As stated earlier, the full amount of $721,352 will be distributed. Grant amounts will vary based on financial need and the number of applicants and are expected to be between $500 and $1,000.

Did Waynesburg University receive grant funding from the CARES Act – HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) Institutional Funding Portion?

10/23/2020 UPDATE: Please find the final report, quarterly expenditures form, that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Institutional Portion funds here: HEERF Quarterly Reporting v. 131

5/13/2020: Waynesburg University signed the Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF.) As a result, the University received $721,351 in institutional funding on May 4, 2020. This funding was utilized to partially reimburse the University for refunds that it made to students for room and board charges; as a result of the significant changes to the delivery of instruction, due to the coronavirus.

As a student, will I be receiving emergency grant funding through the CARES Act – HEERF Section 18004(a)(1) Student Funding Portion?

10/23/2020 UPDATE: The information reported in the 6/11/2020 Update “1,087 students completed the CARES Act Certification form to request the funding. Each of the 1,087 students received a payment of $663.62. Disbursements were made on Monday, June 8, 2020.” is the final report that covers all remaining HEERF fund expenditures for Section 18004 (a)(1) Student Portion funds.

6/11/2020 UPDATE: 1,087 students completed the CARES Act Certification form to request the funding. Each of the 1,087 students received a payment of $663.62. Disbursements were made on Monday, June 8, 2020.

5/13/2020: Waynesburg University signed the Certification and Agreement for the CARES Act for Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF.) As a result, the University received $721,352 on April 25, 2020, to distribute to eligible students.

The CARES Act defines basic student eligibility requirements, while permitting the University to determine the distribution method.

To qualify for CARES Act grants, students must be eligible to participate in Title IV programs as outlined in section 484 of the Higher Education Act. Students who received any federal financial aid in the 2019-2020 academic year, including federal student loans, meet the Title IV requirement. It is not necessary, however, for students to have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who did not file a FAFSA and are unsure of eligibility to participate in Title IV programs should refer to the list at the bottom of this section.

Unfortunately, the CARES Act prohibits the distribution of funds to students who were enrolled in a fully-online program in Spring 2020 prior to the campus shutdown.

Grant recipients must use the money “for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.”

The University expects to notify students who meet preliminary eligibility requirements during the week of May 18. To receive a grant, those students must complete a CARES Act Grant Certification form. On the form, students will be asked to attest that they meet the eligibility requirements for Title IV aid and that they will use the grant funds in accordance with federal regulations. Instructions for accessing the form will be included in the notification letter to students who meet preliminary eligibility requirements.

The University plans to equitably distribute the funds to all eligible students who submit the CARES Act Grant Certification form by June 1. We estimate that 1,357 students meet the preliminary eligibility requirements, but will finalize that total after all forms are received on the June 1, 2020, deadline. As stated earlier, the full amount of $721,352 will be equitably distributed, with an anticipated minimum disbursement amount of $500.

To be a Title IV-eligible student under Section 484 of the HEA, the student must: