Students can apply for non-taxable grants if they have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

Southwestern College students can get up to $700 in federal grants through the CARES Act.

The federal government GAVE Southwestern College $4.62 million to give to students impacted by the disruption of campus operations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the college announced Monday.

Southwestern College is the first community college in the region to receive CARES Act funding, according to the college.

Students may use the money for food, housing, course materials, health care, technology and childcare. The money is not taxable and does not have to be repaid.

To apply for the federal grants, currently enrolled students must complete an online application that includes a series of questions to determine the level of funding each student is eligible for. Students can access the application through the schools’ MySWC portal.

Grant awards range from $200 to $700, depending on the number of units a student is taking, job loss, participation in college-supported services and other mitigating factors.

The school hopes to distribute the first round of funding on May 18 and will hand out money until the $4.62 million runs out.