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Coronavirus (COVID-19) FAQs

 

Palm Beach State College (PBSC) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update (3/24/2020)

Dear Panther Community,

As always, the safety and health of our students, faculty and staff is a foremost concern for Palm Beach State College.

Remote instruction will commence Monday, March 23, and continue until the end of the spring semester.

 

You have questions, we have answers

I am new to online learning. What do I do if I have technical difficulties?

For Blackboard issues contact E-learning at:

For other issues, contact the service desk

Can I come to campus to use the library?
No, as of Wed April 1, 2020 all libraries are closed until further notice.
What do I do if I need disability accommodation for my remote/online course?

The Center for Student Accessibility ( CSA) will provide information and advising appointments to students via email, Skype conference call, or Skype online video meetings. Skype communication will be coordinated between students and advisors or managers.

When students are contacting CSA, they should have their student id number available and be prepared to verify their identity to continue to protect their privacy. Students are to make accommodation requests by email to their assigned advisors. New students may make accommodation requests by contacting the manager of the campus of their choice.

The remote/online hours for CSA will be Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Here is the contact information for each campus:

Contact information per campus is listed below.

Belle Glade & Loxahatchee Groves

Boca Raton

Lake Worth

Palm Beach Gardens

I need to take a test in the Testing Center. What should I do?

Remote testing will be offered for certain types of testing.

If the test is for an online course, your instructor has made it available to take from home. If it's a "make up" or "missed test", you will need to make arrangements with your instructor because these tests are unavailable to be taken through a remote format. Please check with your instructor for questions regarding these types of tests.

If the test is for PBSC placement or other tests, remote access may be available through the Testing Center website, www.palmbeachstate.edu/testing

How do I get a refund for my spring semester course?

If you withdrew from your spring course(s) on or after March 9, 2020 for issues related to the COVID-19 outbreak, you will be eligible for a scholarship to cover the cost of your course(s) for a future semester within the next year ( Summer 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021).

To find the COVID-19 Scholarship Request Form and the guidelines for requesting the scholarship, visit the Forms on the Admissions webpage.

My professor has approved an incomplete for my spring course. How much time do I have to complete it?
The College has extended the time allowed to complete an “incomplete” course taken during spring semester to 60 days after the start of Fall 2020 semester.
If I am unable to continue my courses and need to withdraw from my course(s), will my financial aid be affected?

It’s possible, depending on whether you withdraw from the entire semester or stay enrolled in one course or more. If you withdraw from ALL of your courses, you could have part, or all, of your federal funding returned creating a balance owed that you have to pay back. For additional questions, please feel free to email return2title4@palmbeachstate.edu.

If you withdraw from one or more of your courses, but stay enrolled in at least one course and you pass that course, your financial aid will not be affected. If you have additional questions, please email faocent@palmbeachstate.edu.

Please keep in mind that withdrawing from any or all of your classes could potentially impact your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). If you have SAP questions, please contact faocent@palmbeachstate.edu .

CCP/Clock Hour: Please reach out to the CCP Financial Aid Team at clockhour@palmbeachstate.edu.

Will my ability to receive Financial Aid in the summer be impacted by the changes at the College?
No, your Financial Aid will be ready for summer. For Pell recipients, your summer Pell should be reflected on your award around the second week in April. Watch your PBSC email for more information.
Will financial aid disbursements and refunds be delayed?
Spring Semester disbursements will not be affected as long as your aid has been processed and you have submitted all required documents. If your funds have not disbursed for the spring term, please log into your PantherWeb account to see if you have any Red flags. If you have Red flags, then there may be documents you need to submit. You will be able to submit your forms using a secure DocuSign process.

To access the forms, log into your PantherWeb account and click on the Red Flag . Then click Details to get the link. Or you may access the 2019/20 forms. If you have additional questions please feel free to email faocent@palmbeachstate.edu.
Is commencement cancelled?
Currently, the College is still determining the likelihood of offering spring commencement. Alternative options are being discussed and the College will continue to actively monitor information and updates about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and other entities to determine whether or not to hold such an event.
Is there any impact to summer courses? Should I register for summer term?
Summer 2020 registration is open. At this time, no changes have been made to the summer course schedule. You are encouraged to register for summer courses as soon as possible to ensure the best selection of classes. If summer semester is impacted by COVID-19 outbreak, you will receive information and instructions for how to proceed during summer semester.
I’m a new student for summer semester and need to attend New Student Orientation to register for classes. Can I still attend New Student Orientation?
New Student Orientation is being delivered remotely for new summer students. Please visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/orientation to reserve a spot in New Student Orientation.
I have questions about my courses, and I want to connect with an advisor. How can I reach an advisor?
Academic Advisors will be reaching out to their advisees soon regarding summer registration. If you need to speak to your advisor, you can contact him/her as you always have through the appointment system and email. We will keep you updated as information changes.
I’m a Veteran and my classes were transitioned to remote instruction. Will this impact my GI benefits?

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA Education’s Message to Beneficiaries and Schools:

“We have worked with Congress to preserve GI Bill benefits for those of you impacted by COVID-19 during this difficult time. The Senate and House passed S.3503 and the bill is headed to the President to sign, which will give VA the authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies.

The new law allows VA to pay education benefits regardless of the fact that your program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, you will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that you received for resident training until 12/21/20, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training. We’re working to immediately implement the new changes.

In order to avoid confusion and the need to make multiple changes to enrollments, VA is asking all schools to temporarily refrain from making any adjustments to enrollment certifications if training has changed due to COVID 19.”

VA website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

Veterans Services Spring 2020 (current semester) COVID-19 Guidance:

PBSC’s Veterans Success Center and Veterans Resource Centers are operating virtually and will continue to provide services to our student veterans remotely until further notice. You may call our main line at 561-868-3380 to leave a message for phone assistance. Be sure to leave your student ID, call back number and a detailed message so that we can better assist you. We will post guidance updates and communications from our department and VA Education at www.palmbeachstate.edu/VeteransServices. We await further guidance from VA Education to schools.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: VA Education's Message to Beneficiaries and Schools

We have worked with Congress to preserve GI Bill benefits for those of you impacted by COVID-19 during this difficult time. The Senate and House passed S.3503 and the bill is headed to the President to sign, which will give VA the authority to continue GI Bill payments uninterrupted in the event of national emergencies.

The new law allows VA to pay education benefits regardless of the fact that your program has changed from resident training to online training. Also, you will continue to receive the same monthly housing allowance payments that you received for resident training until 12/21/20, or until the school resumes normal operations of resident training. We’re working to immediately implement the new changes.

In order to avoid confusion and the need to make multiple changes to enrollments, VA is asking all schools to temporarily refrain from making any adjustments to enrollment certifications if training has changed due to COVID 19.

VA website: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill  and visit their Facebook page  www.facebook.com/gibillEducation

 
Veterans Services Summer 2020 (next semester) Guidance: 

We encourage you to continue your education and register for summer courses. 

We are testing a new VA certification request (VCR) form that does not require printing. The “remote VCR” will be a fillable PDF so that you can attach it in an email to your PBSC veterans academic advisor for signature and submission for processing. Please know that Adobe Acrobat Reader is free to download and is required to properly complete the remote VCR.

Our VA deferment and VA out-of-state fee waiver forms will also be updated in the same way for remote submission.  

 
PBSC Veterans Academic Advisors: 

Lake Worth Campus| Christopher Shanks| shanksc@palmbeachstate.edu  

Boca Raton Campus| Erica Weissman| weissmae@palmbeachstate.edu 

Palm Beach Gardens Campus | Ashton Davis | davisa@palmbeachstate.edu  

Loxahatchee Groves/Belle Glade Campuses | John Maloney | maloneyj@palmbeachstate.edu 

Is there any emergency financial assistance available for students who have lost their jobs and cannot cover their basic expenses?
If you lost your employment and cannot cover your living expenses, please contact Michelle Wilks at 561-868-4003 to request assistance.
When will remote instruction end?
Currently, remote instruction is scheduled to continue through the Spring 2020 semester.
I am a student in the bachelor’s program (BAS/RN-BSN), who do I contact? I am interested in starting the bachelor’s program. What do I do?

All students are encouraged to contact any Bachelor’s Advisors, they are available via email until further notice. You can contact them at the following:

Can I still participate in Student Activities/Wellness Activities remotely?
PBSC continues to offer ways in which students can stay engaged with nutritional  personal health and fitness resources, such as home workouts, wellness tips, nutritional information, and physical activity resources, which can be found at www.palmbeachstate.edu/wellnesscenter

Students can also stay connected with virtual student activities by clicking on https://palmbeachstate.campuslabs.com/engage and by visiting PBSC social media pages.
I need to visit the Student Learning Center for tutoring. What should I do?

Remote tutoring is available for most PBSC courses. Tutors are available online:

  • Monday through Thursday 9am – 9pm
  • Friday 9am – 6pm
  • Saturday and Sunday 9am – 9pm.

You can sign up for an appointment and meet a tutor virtually at https://palmbeachstate.mywconline.com/

International Student FAQ
How does transitioning to online instruction affect my immigration status?
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) relaxed, two weeks ago, online education regulations for you as international (F-1) students amid the coronavirus threat. You can online enroll in classes full time either from within the U.S. or outside of the country and maintain your F-1 status.
If I go back to my country and stay until the Fall semester (August), will the five-month rule apply to my visa?
If you maintain your status by remaining in classes until the end of the Spring ’20 term, you will be eligible for the summer break and the five-month rule will not apply for you to come back in August.
My visa is expiring, and I am unable to travel to my home country currently. What should I do?
You may stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20 and by meeting normal enrollment requirements. (Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.
My visa is expiring/has expired. If I leave the U.S. now, but must come back after the expiration date of my visa, will I need a new visa, or can I re-enter on an expired visa?
If you leave the U.S. and your visa will have expired by the date you wish to re-enter the U.S., then you will need to obtain a new visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before you can re-enter the U.S. (Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.) The U.S. State Department announced on March 18th that routine U.S. visa issuance has been suspended indefinitely worldwide.
I need to apply for OPT. Can I do this remotely from elsewhere in the U.S.? Can I do it from outside the U.S.?
You must be physically in the U.S. at the time you submit your Optional Practical Training (OPT) application. Our office will continue to process OPT applications as soon as we receive your submitted request.
If I moved to a new U.S. address, do I still need to report it within 10 days?
Yes, you will need to update your records immediately through Pantherweb
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