COVID-19 Information
COVID-19 Self Reporting Forms
PSC Employees:
Any PSC employee who has been on campus or an off-site college-related activity (clinicals, etc.) and has since tested positive for COVID-19 or any infectious disease MUST report it immediately. Please complete the form below. This form is confidential and will be sent directly to the Executive Director of Human Resources.
Employee COVID-19 Self-Reporting FormEmployee Return To Work Flowchart Protocol
PSC Students:
Any student who has been on campus or an off-site college-related activity (clinicals, etc.) and has since tested positive for COVID-19 or any infectious disease MUST report it immediately. Please complete the form below. This form is confidential and will be sent directly to the Dean of Student Development.
Student COVID-19 Self-Reporting Form Student Return to Instruction Flowchart Protocol
Student Updates
July 18, 2022
Prairie State College Students,
Governor Pritzker has rescinded the executive order requiring vaccination and weekly COVID -19 testing for higher education employees, contractors, vendors, and students as of July 12, 2022. The specific order can be found here.
Effective immediately at Prairie State College:
- Mandatory testing for unvaccinated students is suspended.
- Proof of vaccinations or weekly test results is no longer required.
Please be mindful that COVID -19 variants remain active. We encourage everyone to continue safe practices, such as social distancing and washing/sanitizing your hands. Masks are optional at Prairie State College.
A: Prairie State College administration has announced that the college will offer in-person and online classes in spring 2022.
A: Courses for the fall semester are listed on WebAdvisor and marked to identify how the class will be delivered
| IN: | online courses with no meeting pattern |
| MP: | online with a meeting pattern |
| HYB: | Blended courses that require in-person and online expectations. |
| Face-to-Face: | Days and times available on WebAdvisor |
A: Complete an interest and/or registration form prairiestate.edu/adulted or contact Angioletta Maltbia at amaltbia@prairiestate.edu.
A: Complete an interest and/or registration form prairiestate.edu/adulted or contact Yesenia Garcia at ygarcia2@prairiestate.edu.
A: Yes. In-person services are available. Those who want to meet with an advisor or speak with someone in enrollment services, financial aid, or the business office, are invited to schedule an appointment online at prairiestate.edu/start.
A: You can add or drop a class by completing the Add/Drop/Withdrawal online form.
A: Yes, students may meet with the PSC counselor through Google Meet. Additional services and resources are available. To learn more about counseling services, please contact Personal Counselor, Shannon Word at sword@prairiestate.edu or at (708) 709-3511.
A: The Writing Center is available for online appointments. Students can make appointments at https://prairiestate.mywconline.com/, and from there they will be given instructions on how to access their online appointment.
A: Yes. Career Services staff are available to meet in person or virtually to provide assistance with your career planning needs, including resume writing and review, job or internship search information, career and major planning, researching different types of jobs and occupations, interview practice and more. PSC students and alumni also can register to use Pioneers Get Hired, PSC’s online job and internship posting site and career resource center. Please email us at careerdevelopment@prairiestate.edu to schedule an appointment, or to ask additional questions about accessing our services. A Career Services staff member will reach out to you to schedule the best time and format that works for you.
A: Yes. Prairie State College is offering students the ability to complete placement assessments even though the college has moved to a virtual campus. Your first step is to work with an advisor to help determine which placement assessments you need, if any.
A: For students that need to purchase books, you may come to campus during business hours or place an order at prairie.bncollege.com, and your books will be shipped to your home. You also can pick them up from the on-campus location. For Barnes & Noble-PSC Bookstore hours, visit the General Information page.
A: There are multiple ways in which a student can meet their placement requirements. An academic advisor will help you determine the status of your placement. You can speak with an advisor by emailing advising@prairiestate.edu
A: If you have rented textbooks, they can be returned free by mail or dropped off on campus. Visit the bookstore's page for easy step-by-step rental return instructions and to create a free shipping label.
A: Any PSC employee who contacts you will provide you with their name and department. During times such as these, scammers may attempt to take advantage of people through phishing scams or the sales of phony products. Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information. Most departments have a general mailbox. If in doubt, send an email to stayinformed@prairiestate.edu.
A: Please contact the help desk at helpdesk@prairiestate.edu.
A: Yes! Email testing@prairiestate.edu to be matched with a tutor. Help is available for all credit courses. The tutors are prepared to work with you in many online formats, so you should be able to find one you’re most comfortable using. One on one tutoring also is available through the Adult Literacy Center located in the ATOC. Email Kisha Brown at kbrown1@prairiestate.edu.
A: Students with a Business Office hold should send an email with their name and student ID number to businessoffice@prairiestate.edu for information on the hold and how to have it removed.
A: Financial Aid documents can be scanned and sent directly to that office at financial-aid@prairiestate.edu. Documents also can be submitted by fax to (708) 709-3716.
A: Please send an email to advising@prairiestate.edu, or make an appointment. Learn more at prairiestate.edu/start.
A: Enrollment verification letters can be prepared a week after your last class begins. If you need to verify your enrollment please send an email with the necessary information (i.e. name, date of birth, semester being verified) to enrollment@prairiestate.edu.
A: Yes. Prairie State College will loan technology equipment to students in need of technology due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and virtual learning. To be eligible for this loan, you must be enrolled for the current semester. Visit the Technology Lending Loaner Program page to sign up.
A: Prairie State College has assigned academic advising, based on number of credit hours earned, identity, program of study and special programs. Please see the flyer here with PSC advisors and the population they serve.
A: Contact Helen Manley at hmanley@prairiestate.edu
CARES Act
PSC Students. You may qualify for financial support through the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Students with a completed 2021-22 FAFSA with demonstrated financial need will be given priority; however, the FAFSA is not required to be eligible for emergency funds. Guest students are not eligible. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be eligible, students must meet the following qualifications:
- Be enrolled at PSC for the summer 2022 semester for credit classes
- Have incurred an education-related expense as a result of COVID-19.
Assistance may be provided for education-related needs such as technology, books/supplies, housing, and child care. You should apply if you have unexpected financial challenges that may keep you from completing the semester or degree/certificate.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) was allocated to Prairie State College as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). It will be distributed to eligible students and ensure that learning continues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are required to be enrolled and actively attending classes for summer 2022.
A: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.
A: Funds are available now. The application period opens July 21, 2022 and closes August 4, 2022 for summer 2022.
A: Applications will be evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis. Students with a completed 2021-22 FAFSA on file will be given priority. Guest students are not eligible to apply including international and undocumented students. However, guest students are not eligible for funds.
A: Yes, you are eligible if you are currently enrolled summer 2022 for credit classes.
A: Recipients will be notified through their PSC student email.
A: Updates regarding eligibility and disbursement will be communicated by email. Students who are eligible will begin receiving email updates beginning August 1, 2022.
CARES Act Report
HEERF annual report period March 13, 2020 through December 31, 2020
Prairie State College (PSC) acknowledges that it signed and filed with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on April 28, 2020 via grants.gov. PSC assures that the institution 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, under the name of CARES Act Student Emergency Fund at PSC.
On April 28, 2020, PSC received from ED the total amount of funds of $2,523,787.00 pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
Awards to Students
Number Of Students:
- 1725: Students enrolled on March 20, 2020.
- 1211: U.S. Residents beyond High School.
- 1,208 spring students who initially could be eligible
- 517: File the FAFSA and qualified for CARES payment on June 14, 2020*
To identify eligible students, Prairie State searched the enrolled students, removed dual credit, foreign students, and students who had not filed a FAFSA, students who were not meeting SAP requirements, and students who had not satisfied items listed under 484 of the higher education act listed above. Students taking online only courses were excluded. We recognize all students experienced costs due to the closures, so Prairie State included all students who had filed a FAFSA regardless of income and financial need.
Award Amounts
Awards were based on credit hours enrolled as of May 18, 2020. Courses dropped before that date were not counted when determining eligibility. Average credit hours enrolled was 9.92 credits.
- Awards of $500 were given to any student enrolled in three or fewer credits.
- Awards of $1,000 were given to students enrolled in four-six credits.
- Awards of $1,600 were given to students enrolled in seven or more credits.
Prairie State College Distributions
- $709,200: Distributed between June 11, 2020, and July 1, 2020.
- $552,694: Remaining funds will be allocated to students who file a FAFSA, meet the 484 of the higher education ACT requirements, and who are actively enrolled for Summer or Fall of calendar year 2020 and who submit a request through the CARES Application for Emergency Financial Assistance form located on the Prairie State College website.
Payment Process
- Awards were processed as a financial aid disbursement called Federal CARES Awards
- Students are able to view their awarded amount and disbursements using the WebAdvisor portal. Initial awards are recorded in the spring 2020 term. Summer 2020 awards are possible starting July 14.
- Students are paid through the third party vendor Bankmobile via check or electronic funds disbursement if selected on their student account.
- These funds are paid to the student DIRECTLY, as required by the Department of Education.
- Students with outstanding balances to the college received the entire disbursement. Any balance due to the college should be paid using the normal billing procedures.
Use of Funds
The purpose of these funds, as outlined under the HEERF Student Share, is for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, such as food, housing, course material, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.
Cares Expenses and Award Limitations
Prairie State College allowed anticipated costs for Shelter at Home and remote learning as follows: (While all students will not experience all of these costs, this represents costs that a student could experience due to the pandemic.)
- Increase in utilities and home necessities $200 per month.
- Increase in food, cleaning supplies, and general household expenses of $200 per month.
- Allowance of $60 per month for improved internet capacity and phone access understanding multi-family members need access to services.
- Technology and course materials, printing supplies and required for online learning $600 per term. This would include the upgrade of phones, routers, computers, printers, and supplies necessary to operate while learning remotely.
- Health care costs $50 per month for medications, facemasks, office visits, etc.
- Child-care expenses $600 per month for students with qualifying children.
The cost outlined here establishes the budget within which CARES Funds can be allocated. Remote learning for Prairie State College for spring is based on two months, and total costs range from $1620 to $2820 for each period. Students will not be asked to report individual costs, however, the total amount of CARES funds to an individual student cannot exceed these thresholds without further documentation from the student.
By cashing the check or utilizing the direct deposit, students acknowledge they experienced cost related to the disruption of campus operations.
Fall 2020 Distributions
| Credit Hours | Tier 2 System |
|---|---|
| 12+ | $1,065.06 |
| 6-11 | $780.06 |
| 1-5 | $590.06 |
| Amount | Students | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $590.06 | 46 | 27,143 |
| $780.06 | 263 | 205,156 |
| $1,065.06 | 122 | 129,937 |
| Total | 431 | 362,236 |
Spring 2021 - Application / Distribution Process
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, (CRRSAA) allocated $1,261,894 to Prairie State College. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF) funds were provided to higher education institutions to provide financial support to students impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The CRRSAA required that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell grants, in awarding emergency relief funds to students, students did not need to be only Pell recipients or students who were eligible for Pell grants.
Prairie State students were awarded based on a 2-tier system. Students with exceptional needs were prioritized based on their Pell grant eligibility and submitted electronic applications. The tier 1 criteria required students that were U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and estimated family contribution between $0-5711 and awarded the Pell grant as of the date of their Cares application in addition to being enrolled for 1 or more credit hours.
The tier 2 criteria required all other students who had not completed the FAFSA to complete the Cares application in addition to being enrolled for 1 or more credit hours.
The application opened for all students enrolled for spring 2021 in credit classes on March 1, 2021 and closed March 15, 2021. All students were emailed the communication to apply for emergency funding and the email included the link to apply.
Distribution:
| Tier 1 (Pell Eligible) | # of Students | Award Amount | Total |
| Full-time (12+ hours) | 216 | $1000 | $216,000 |
| Full-time (12+ hours) | 321 | $800 | $256,800 |
| Half-time (1 – 8 hours) | 60 | $500 | $30,000 |
| Total | 597 | $502,800 |
| Tier 2 (No FAFSA) | # of Students | Awarded Amount | Total |
| Full-time (12+ hours) | 81 | $800 | $64,800 |
| Quarter Time (9-11 hours) | 125 | $600 | $75,000 |
| Quarter Time (9-11 hours) | 125 | $600 | $75,000 |
| Half-time (1-8 hours) | 36 | $300 | $10,800 |
| Total | 242 | $150,600 |
Fall 2021 Distribution - Application / Distribution Process
Prairie State students were awarded based on a 2-tier system. Students with exceptional need were prioritized based on their Pell grant eligibility and submitted electronic applications. The tier 1 criteria required students that were U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens with a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and estimated family contribution between $0-$5846 and awarded the Pell grant as of the date of their Cares application in addition to being enrolled for 1 or more credit hours.
The tier 2 criteria required all other students who had not completed the FAFSA to complete the Cares application in addition to being enrolled for 1 or more credit hours.
The application opened for all students enrolled for fall 2021 in credit classes on October 15, 2021 and closed October 31, 2021. All students were emailed the communication to apply for emergency funding and the email included the link to apply.
A total of $1,556,500 was distributed to 673 students for fall 2021 that applied.
Distribution:
| Tier 1 (Pell Eligible) | # of Students | Award Amount | Total |
| Full-time (12+ hours) | 146 | $3750 | $547,500 |
| Quarter Time (9 – 11 hours) | 104 | $2750 | $286,000 |
| Half-time (6 – 8 hours) | 126 | $1750 | $220,500 |
| Less than Half-time (1-5 hours) | 32 | $1000 | $32,000 |
| Total | 408 | $1,086,000 |
| Tier 2 (No FAFSA) | # of Students | Awarded Amount | Total |
| Full-time (12+ hours) | 81 | $2500 | $202,500 |
| Quarter Time (9-11 hours) | 58 | $2000 | $116,000 |
| Half-time (1-8 hours) | 89 | $1500 | $133,500 |
| Less than Half-time | 37 | $500 | $18,500 |
| Total | 265 | $470,500 |
Health and Wellness Resources
Community Resources
Counselors are connecting students to community resources via email or Google Hangouts to obtain various basic needs, supplies, and other assorted, individual needs. For assistance, please contact Personal Counselor, Shannon Word, NCC, LCPC at sword@prairiestate.edu or at 708-709-3511.
COVID-19 Resources
At Home COVID-19 Tests:
- The Prairie State College Library staff have put together a list of resources for parents of school-age children to use during the time that K-12 schools are closed. Resources will be added regularly.
Our EAP provider, Perspectives, is available 24/7 to offer support to you and your household members. They are monitoring developments regarding COVID-19 in real time, answering FAQs and sharing relevant information on their website. Please email humanresources@prairiestate.edu, for more information. EAP services are confidential, no cost to you and available when you need them!
Additional Links and Resources
