Spring Operational Plans & COVID-19 Information

As of December 15, 2021

Gwinnett Technical College (GTC) plans to resume normal operations for the Spring 2022 semester. This will include a return to in-person classes and on-campus visitor and training experiences where possible. The College will offer a robust mix of in-person, virtual/online, and hybrid courses. The College is open to walk-in appointments for admissions, registration, and financial aid assistance, as well as online appointment scheduling, virtual and chat appointments. The library and other services are open to students and the public.   

We will continue to educate and remind students, faculty and staff of the individual responsibility to practice all of the behaviors known to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which includes encouraging vaccination against the disease. 

Face Coverings and Social Distancing 

Fully vaccinated individuals can resume campus classes and activities without social distancing. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to remain socially distanced where possible. Everyone is recommended to wear a mask or face covering inside campus facilities. Unvaccinated individuals are strongly encouraged to continue wearing a face covering while on campus, both indoors and outdoors. 

Contact Tracing and Reporting requirements for COVID-19 (Students and Employees) 

The College will conduct contact tracing for all positive cases that are identified on campus. If you (student or employee) are identified as a close contact to a positive COVID case, you will be contacted by a member of the College’s contact tracing team.  The Contact Tracer will discuss with you your situation, and based on guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health; they will work with you to get you cleared to return to campus. 

You should not return to campus until you are cleared to do so by the Contact Tracing Team. 

The information you provide to the Contact Tracing Team may be shared only with the Georgia Department of Public Health to meet the reporting requirements as required by law. 

Vaccination clinics 

Find a vaccination clinic near you on the Vaccines.gov website. 

Vaccination requirement? 

GTC does not require proof of vaccination. However, the College continues to remind all that vaccinations are known to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We encourage everyone in the college community to get vaccinated.  

Students exposed to or testing positive for COVID-19? 

If you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to campus. Notify your primary care doctor, or your local public health department, to determine the actions you should take. After receiving guidance from your doctor or public health department, notify your instructor(s). You should not return to campus until the College’s Contact Tracing Team clears you. 

If you miss assignments due to COVID-19 exposure or a positive test, you should communicate with your instructor(s) as soon as possible and inquire about opportunities to make up missed classwork. Students who are unable to make up assignments due to illness may withdraw from classes online via Banner Web by the established withdrawal deadline. After the withdrawal deadline, students may submit a request for a hardship withdrawal to Academic Affairs. More information about hardship withdrawals is available online in the College’s Catalog and Student Handbook.

Employees exposed or testing positive for Covid-19? 

If you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, do not come to campus. Notify your primary care doctor, or your local public health department, to determine the actions you should take. After notifying your primary care doctor or local health department, you should notify LaShanta Cox in Human Resources. You should not return to campus until the College’s Contact Tracing Team clears you.

The College will follow the guidance from the Georgia Department of Public Health on your quarantine or isolation from campus. While you are unable to report to work on campus, you may request to telework by reviewing and completing TCSG Procedure: 4.2.2p2. Telework and Alternate Work Locations request.  If you would like to request to telework during your required quarantine dates in lieu of using accrued leave, please complete the attached request and return it to HumanResources@GwinnettTech.edu  You will receive approval or denial of your request via email. 

CARES ACT/HEERF Student and Institutional Information and Disclosures

Gwinnett Technical College has received education stabilization funding through: 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act),  

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), and  

American Rescue Plan (ARP).  

This legislation authorizes Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I, II, and III) and has been allocated to the College through specific grants. Institutional Portion funds are awarded to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus, and Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) are additional awards provided to address needs directly related to coronavirus. Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting are provided as follows: 

Period covering May 7, 2020- September 30, 2020
Period covering October 1, 2020- December 31, 2020
Period covering January 1, 2021- March 31, 2021
Period covering April 1, 2021- June 30, 2021
02288400_HEERF_Q32021_100521
02288400_HEERF_Q42021_01102022
02288400_HEERF_Q12022_03102022
022884400_HEERF_Q22022_07072022
022884400_HEERF_Q32022_10042022
02284400_HEERF_Q42022_01042023
02284400_HEERF_Q12023_04102023
02284400_HEERF_Q22023_07102023

Quarterly reports are not cumulative and, as required, provide liquidated expenditures as of the date of the reporting. Student Portion funding is reported separately. Gwinnett Technical College follows all federal regulations and guidelines in for use of Institutional Portion and Strengthening Institution Portion of HEERF Funding. All drawdowns of HEERF funding are drawn as outlined in the Grant Award Notification. 

Student Information

August 12, 2021 Update:

Gwinnett Technical college has been awarded an additional $10.9 million through The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) created by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to support students who have exceptional need due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The third round of HEERF III funding is very similar to the HEERF II funds, as it still requires emphasis on students who exhibit exceptional need and non-Title IV eligible students are eligible for the funding.

Eligible students will receive automatic grants applied to their account. Gwinnett Technical College will disburse one payment in fall and spring terms for students enrolled in A/B terms and secondary payment for newly enrolled students for Term C. These amounts are based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) formula indicated on a completed FAFSA along with enrolled credit hours.

We encourage all students who have not completed a FAFSA to complete one as soon as possible to determine accurate CARES III eligibility. Please note, your enrollment and EFC at the time of disbursement will determine your fund amounts. The amount you receive in fall term may not be the same amount you receive in spring term. Any changes made after the initial fund disbursement, we will not increase those amounts.

The Department of Education released eligibility guidance regarding the HEERF III CARES Act funds. All CARES Act (HEERF III) funds released to the College will be disbursed to students who meet the following federal eligibility criteria:

  • Enrolled in at least 1 credit hour for the fall 2021 and/or spring 2022 term
  • Exemplify exceptional need as determined by completing the FAFSA and the Expected Family Contribution model
  • Not enrolled as the following student types:
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Transient

Allocation and Distribution Model:

Gwinnett Technical College has developed the following distribution model for the Emergency CARES Act (HEERFIII) funds based on student populations displaying exceptional need and enrollment hours. To find your EFC, please refer to your most recent Student Aid Report that was sent upon completion of your FAFSA. The same distribution model will be used for Spring 2022 terms.

TierAward
Tier 1: Zero EFC + FT$1,750
Tier 2: Zero EFC + PT$1,250
Tier 3: EFC $1 – $5,846$750
Tier 4: EFC $5,847 – $99,999$475
Tier 5: No EFC – (Foreign)* Will default to 0 EFC, amount based on credit hours
Tier 6: No EFC – Application Required$250

If funds are not fully expended at the end of Spring 2022 term, the Office of Financial Aid will issue a notice to all enrolled students for Summer term to offer the opportunity to apply for additional emergency funding.

Students who did not complete a FAFSA will have to complete an application that will be placed on their BANNER account. For any additional questions, please feel free to email: financialaidoffice@gwinnetttech.edu


March 16, 2021 Update:

Gwinnett Technical College has been awarded an additional $2.6 million through the Federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) to continue to support students who have exceptional need due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The second round of HEERF II (CARES II) funding is not the same as the first grant program. The new round of funding requires emphasis on students with exceptional need; therefore, eligibility requirements have changed. Students who were non-Title IV eligible may now be eligible for CARES II funds. Additionally, students who received the first round of CARES funds, may not necessarily receive the same level of funds this time, due to the new allocation formula.

Eligible students will receive automatic grants applied to their account. These amounts are based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) formula indicated on a completed FAFSA. We encourage all students who have not completed a FAFSA to complete one as soon as possible to determine accurate CARES II eligibility. Funds will be disbursed until fully expended. Please note, your enrollment and EFC at the time of disbursement will determine your fund amounts. Any changes made after the initial fund disbursement, will not increase amounts.

The Department of Education released eligibility guidance regarding the HEERF2 CARES Act funds. All CARES Act (HEERF2) funds released to the College will be disbursed to students who meet the following federal eligibility criteria: 

  • Enrolled in at least 1 credit hour for the Spring 2021 term
  • Exemplify exceptional need as determined by completing the FAFSA and the Expected Family Contribution model
  • Not enrolled as the following student types:
    • DACA
    • International/Foreign
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Transient

Allocation and Distribution Model:
Gwinnett Technical College has developed the following distribution model for the Emergency CARES Act (HEERF2) funds based on student populations displaying exceptional need and enrollment hours. To find your EFC, please refer to your most recent Student Aid Report that was sent upon completion of your FAFSA.

The Department of Education released eligibility guidance regarding the HEERF2 CARES Act funds. All CARES Act (HEERF2) funds released to the College will be disbursed to students who meet the following federal eligibility criteria: 

  • Enrolled in at least 1 credit hour for the Spring 2021 term
  • Exemplify exceptional need as determined by completing the FAFSA and the Expected Family Contribution model
  • Not enrolled as the following student types:
    • DACA
    • International/Foreign
    • Dual Enrollment
    • Transient

Allocation and Distribution Model:
Gwinnett Technical College has developed the following distribution model for the Emergency CARES Act (HEERF2) funds based on student populations displaying exceptional need and enrollment hours. To find your EFC, please refer to your most recent Student Aid Report that was sent upon completion of your FAFSA.

TierAward
Tier 1: Zero EFC + Full Time Enrollment(12 credit hours or more)$1000
Tier 2: Zero EFC + PT(11 credit hours or less)$750
Tier 3: EFC $1 – $5,711$500
Tier 4: EFC $5,712 – $99,999$250
Tier 5: No EFC – Application Required$100

Students who did not complete a FAFSA will have to complete an application that will be placed on their BANNER account. For any additional questions, please feel free to email: financialaidoffice@gwinnetttech.edu

CARES II disbursements will be made the week of March 22, 2021. All payments will be applied to the student’s Banner account, generating a refund. Refunds will then be distributed via BankMobile. If you have already made a refund preference with BankMobile then login to your account at bankmobilevibe.com to view your refund status. If you have not made a refund preference, visit www.refundselection.com to obtain your personal code and select a refund option. BankMobile refund options include an ACH to a bank account or opening a BankMobile Vibe account. Students who opted to have the funds applied to any outstanding balances will see the credit on their banner student account.


January 6, 2021 Update:

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Report – Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students

Gwinnett Technical College (OPE ID: 02288400) received education stabilization funds under Section 18004(a)(1) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), Public Law No: 116-136. This Fund Report applies to the student portion received under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund that is designated exclusively for emergency financial aid grants to students.

The college appreciates that Congress and the President have made these critical funds available for eligible students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. We take receipt of these federal funds seriously and are distributing them in accordance with the CARES Act and implementing guidance

The college is making the below information available for transparency purposes and in compliance with the U.S. Department of Education’s (“Department”) Electronic Announcement of May 6, 2020.1 For questions or concerns regarding this Fund Report, please contact Andra Peterson, Director of Financial Aid, at apeterson@gwinnetttech.edu.

The college signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. The college has used, or 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.

The total amount of funds that the college will receive or has received from the Department pursuant to the college’s Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students is $2,668,288.

The total amount of emergency financial aid grants distributed to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is:

Fund Report as of:

  • 12/31/2020 2,307,125
  • 10/31/2020 2,050,500
  • 9/30/2020 1,988,500
  • 8/31/2020 1,988,500
  • 7/27/2020 1,965,250
  • 6/29/2020 1,953,250

The estimated total number of students at the college eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, and thus eligible to receive emergency financial aid grants under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is:

Fund Report as of

  • 12/31/2020 2032
  • 10/31/2020 3,875
  • 9/30/2020 3,892
  • 8/31/2020 3,892
  • 7/27/2020 3,880
  • 6/29/2020 3,857

The total number of students who have received an emergency financial aid grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act is:

Fund Report as of:

  • 12/31/2020 4434
  • 10/31/2020 3,875
  • 9/30/2020 3,892
  • 8/31/2020 3,892
  • 7/27/2020 3,880
  • 6/29/2020 3,857

The methods used by the college to determine which students receive emergency financial aid grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act are provided at Attachment A.

Any instructions, directions, or guidance provided by the college to students concerning the emergency financial aid grants are provided at Attachment B.

Funds will continue to be distributed to those students who request funding on a first come first come basis. If you feel as if you are eligible, please email financialaidoffice@gwinnetttech.edu from your student email address and please include your student ID. Effective January 1st, 2021. Students who make the request for funding will have 30 days to complete the application. If the application is not complete within that timeframe, that application will be denied so we may assist the students who are needing help immediately.


May 12, 2020 Update:

Gwinnett Technical College signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement for the HEERF Cares Act Funds. The College 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.

The Department of Education has recently released some updated guidance about CARES Act funding. These funds released to the College will be disbursed to those students who meet the following federal eligibility criteria:

  • Student must have a completed a 19-20 FAFSA, with no outstanding items, and determined to be Title IV eligible.
  • Student must have been enrolled, in at least one credit hour, in a Title IV eligible program, Spring semester, after March 16th.
  • Student must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.
  • Student must meet certain student type criteria established by the Department of Education. The following student types have been excluded:
    • “H” dual enrollment student (HS or equivalent must be completed)
    • coded as foreign “F”
    • coded as transient student (receive funds from home institution)
    • defaulted on student loans, overpayments, or other loan restrictions
    • Term B (part of term ended prior to March 16)
    • enrolled exclusively in online courses for the spring term

More specific information on eligibility criteria and fund information can be found here at the Department of Education’s website.

We encourage you to submit a 19/20 FAFSA if you have not already done so. If you completed a FAFSA, please check your financial aid status via your student Banner account, to submit any missing documents. (Instructions to do so can be found here.) This will allow the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility.

Allocation of funds:

  • Gwinnett Technical College’s student allocation was $2,668,288. The eligible student population indicates that 4,202 spring semester students initially met the required criteria.
  • Gwinnett Technical College will at the outset award all eligible students a standard amount. Eligible spring semester students will receive a $500 one-time disbursement totaling $2,101,000. $315,000 will be reserved for potential additional eligible students.
  • The remaining funds will be available for $250, one-time grant requests, for eligible students experiencing emergency and substantial hardship, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. To apply for consideration of additional grant monies:
    • Eligible students can email a request through their student email account to FinancialAidOffice@GwinnettTech.edu
    • If the Financial Aid Office determines the student is eligible to apply, the application link will be added to the student Banner account.
    • Students must complete the electronic application and upload required supporting documentation, by June 30, 2020.
    • Grant requests will be reviewed within ten business days of submission. Funds will be awarded and disbursed upon application approval.
  • Any funds not fully disbursed from initial allocations, will be added to the grant request funds. Should funds remain as of July 31, 2020, further disbursements may be made to eligible students enrolled summer semester, who were also enrolled Spring semester during the pandemic timeframe.

All payments will be applied to the student’s Banner account, generating a refund. Refunds will then be distributed via BankMobile. If you have already made a refund preference with BankMobile then login to your account at bankmobilevibe.com to view your refund status. If you have not made a refund preference, visit www.refundselection.com to obtain your personal code and select a refund option. BankMobile refund options include an ACH to a bank account or opening a BankMobile Vibe account.

The timeline of initial disbursements is as follows:
May 12: 4,202 initial payments of $500 awarded to student accounts
May 14: 4,202 initial refunds posted to student accounts. BankMobile will make refunds available 1-2 business days after May 14.
Students should monitor their student email accounts beginning May 14 for a refund status update from BankMobile.

Questions?

  • For questions on eligibility, email FinancialAidOffice@GwinnettTech.edu from your student email account and include your name and student identification (900#).
  • For questions on BankMobile access of funds distributed, email Bursar@GwinnettTech.edu from your student email account and include your name and student identification (900#).

For questions or concerns regarding the information provided above or Institutional Portion and Strengthening Institution Program Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reports, please contact Amber Patterson, Director of Accounting at APatterson@GwinnettTech.edu

Adult Education/GED/HSE/ESL classes and testing

HSE Classes: GwinnettTech.edu/hse

ESL Classes:  GwinnettTech.edu/esl

Take Ten+: GwinnettTech.edu/adult-education/take-ten-program/

High School Equivalency Testing 

The High School Equivalency testing labs are open on the Lawrenceville and Alpharetta campuses. Please visit the High School Equivalency page and Facebook

Student technical support and available technology assistance

Students who need technical support should contact the Student IT Help Desk by calling (678) 226-6407 or emailing StuHelpDesk@GwinnettTech.edu. Additional information for signing into student resources can also be found at Dashboard.  

Gwinnett Technical College has established a laptop lending program to support students who are in critical need of a computer to complete their academic program coursework. These loaner laptops are intended for need-based, short-term use only and must be returned at the end of each semester.  Students who need assistance with technology resources should visit Student Assistance or contact the Foundation Office at (678) 226-6425 or email FoundationOffice@GwinnettTech.edu