COVID-19 Booster Shot Incentive Program
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently recommended a booster shot for certain populations who completed the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine series at least six months ago. Individuals in high-risk occupational and educational settings, which includes all Ivy Tech employees, are eligible for booster shots. Some Ivy Tech students may fall into other categories per CDC guidance and may also be eligible for booster shots. Booster shots are also recommended for anyone 18 or older who received the single dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine two or more months ago.
Ivy Tech is offering a $100 gift card to eligible employees and students who receive or have received their first COVID-19 vaccine booster shot. Eligible employees include anyone currently on the Ivy Tech payroll, and eligible students must be current students enrolled in an Ivy Tech course.
To claim the gift card, employees and students must provide their primary COVID vaccine and booster information through the Vaccination Submission tool in MyIvy. Gift cards will be sent via email and include three options: Amazon, Target, and Walmart. This program will run through the end of 2022.
Eligible individuals can choose their preferred vaccine manufacturer (does not have to be the same as the manufacturer for their primary vaccine dose) and can receive their booster shot at any vaccine location. Ivy Tech does not plan to offer college-sponsored clinics for booster shots at this time. A complete list of available vaccine locations can be found on the state of Indiana’s vaccination site.
Please refer to the FAQ section for more information.
CVS COVID-19 Test Voucher
Click here to view steps on how you can redeem a voucher for a Covid-19 test at select CVS Pharmacy locations.
Isolation:
For anyone that tests positive, regardless of vaccination status, they will need to isolate away from campus for 5 days.
- Day 0 is the day that symptoms started or a positive test is taken.
- They can return to campus after their 5 day isolation as long as they are fever free for 24hrs with no fever reducing medicine and all other symptoms have improved (Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation).
- They should wear a face mask while on campus for an additional 5 days.
- If they are not fever free after 5 days or their symptoms are not improving they should continue to isolate until they are fever free for 24hrs with no fever reducing medicine and all other symptoms are improving
Virtual Campus Support
Below click on the link of your home campus, the campus nearest you, or the campus where you attend classes to access the email of your campus virtual support team. In your e-mail please describe the assistance being requested and provide your name and C Number, whenever possible, if you are looking for specific information regarding your situation.
| Anderson | Kokomo | Muncie |
| Bloomington | Lafayette | Richmond |
| Columbus | Lake County | Sellersburg |
| Evansville | Lawrenceburg | South Bend/Elkhart |
| Fort Wayne | Madison | Terre Haute |
| Indianapolis | Marion | Valparaiso |
COVID-19 FAQ
Masks
What is Ivy Tech's current policy on masks?
While masks are welcome at Ivy Tech, each campus Chancellor will determine if mask wearing will be required. Please check with your campus for the most up to date information.
Vaccines
Is the vaccine mandatory?
Ivy Tech is not requiring the vaccine for students, faculty, and staff. We encourage all who are able to get the vaccine to do so when it becomes available to them.
Where can I get more credible information about the vaccine?
Please see the Center for Disease Control or the Indiana Department of Health website for more detailed information about the science, vaccine safety, rollout, and who should receive the vaccine.
Booster Shot Incentive Program
Who is eligible to receive the incentive?
Active Ivy Tech students and employees. Employees include full-time employees, part-time employees, and adjuncts. Employees are anyone currently on the Ivy Tech payroll. Eligible students must be current students enrolled in an Ivy Tech course.
I am currently enrolled in high school and taking college courses at Ivy Tech. Do I qualify for the incentive program?
If you are a dual enrollment student (taking Ivy Tech courses at an Ivy Tech campus), you qualify for the incentive program. If you are a dual credit student (taking Ivy Tech courses at your local high school), you are not eligible for the incentive program.
What if I am an adjunct but not teaching this term?
If you are an adjunct faculty member, you must have an active job assignment at the time you apply for a booster incentive. However, it is not required for you to have received your booster shot during active employment.
Will I be eligible for the incentive as a contractor assigned to work on an Ivy Tech campus?
No. Only employees currently on the Ivy Tech payroll are eligible.
How long will the incentive program be in effect?
Through the end of 2022.
What is the incentive?
A $100 gift card from either Amazon, Target, or Walmart.
When can I expect to receive the gift card?
Please allow up to 30 days for gift card processing. We will process all gift card requests as quickly as possible.
How will I receive the gift card?
It will be in the form of an emailed gift certificate.
Can I have $100 added to my paycheck instead?
No. This is a gift card incentive only.
Will my Booster Shot Incentive Program gift card be taxed?
The gift card amount will be taxed through Ivy Tech employee pay by being added to the taxable gross, and the net amount of pay will be reduced by the additional tax. Therefore, the amount of the gift card is also included in the employee W-2 total.
I have already received my booster shot. Am I still eligible for the incentive?
Yes. As long as you are an active Ivy Tech student or employee at the time you submit your request for the incentive, you could have received your booster at any time prior to your active status.
Can I receive multiple booster incentives?
No. Eligible individuals can only receive one booster incentive (gift card) from Ivy Tech throughout the duration of the program.
How do I submit my booster shot documentation?
To claim the gift card, you must upload an image of your vaccine card, and indicate when you received your primary COVID vaccine(s) and booster, through the Vaccination Submission tool in MyIvy.
Once you have successfully uploaded the required documentation, a notification box will appear at the top of your screen indicating that you have a vaccine booster reward available. By clicking that box, you can then choose which gift card you would like (Walmart, Target or Amazon.)
I successfully submitted my vaccine and booster information through the Vaccination Submission tool, but I didn’t choose my gift card type (Walmart, Target or Amazon.)
If you have successfully submitted your vaccine and booster information through the Vaccination Submission tool in MyIvy, but you did not choose your gift card type, you can do so at this link. The link will only work if you are eligible for a gift card and have successfully submitted your vaccine information.
Can I email an image of my booster shot card to Human Resources or another department?
No. You must submit documentation through the Vaccination Submission tool in MyIvy.
Where can I get my booster shot?
The Indiana State Department of Health can provide this information.
Where can I find more information on booster shots?
Indiana State Department of Health.
Is it too late to get the incentive for the initial Ivy Tech sponsored vaccination clinics that took place in August and September?
Yes, that program has ended.
Student/Employee Travel
There are no in-state or out-of-state institution related travel restrictions.
Financial Aid & Tuition
My financial situation has changed. Can I be considered for more financial assistance?
The FAFSA asks for your tax year information from two years prior to the academic year. If your current income is significantly lower than what is reflected on your FAFSA, you may be able to request a Special Circumstances Review. Reasons that may be considered for a Special Circumstances Review include loss of income due to layoff, disability, divorce, separation or loss of untaxed benefits.
If you feel you have a situation that may allow for a Special Circumstances Review, visit your campus Express Enrollment Center or Financial Aid Office to determine if you should complete the Special Circumstances Review Form. They will review your situation with you and determine what documentation you will need to submit to support your request for this review. Please click on Learn More for contact information and to request a virtual appointment.
Please note that not all requests for Special Circumstances Reviews are approved. Also, if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), based on your FAFSA results, is already zero, there is no need for you to request a Special Circumstance Review.
Special Circumstance Reviews can take up to 30 days to process upon completion of required steps and forms to the campus Financial Aid Office. Incomplete submissions are not processed and will delay the response.
For more information about Special Circumstance Requests please go to www.ivytech.edu/financial-aid/2524.html.
What if I fail to meet financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) due to the impact of COVID-19?
Students who fail to meet financial aid SAP requirements who have extenuating circumstances may appeal their Financial Aid eligibility. Extenuating circumstances may include the death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances. Circumstances related to an outbreak of COVID-19, including, but not limited to, the illness of a student or family member, compliance with a quarantine period, or the general disruption resulting from such an outbreak may form the basis of a student’s SAP appeal. Appeals will be reviewed by the SAP Appeal Committee at each campus within 14 days after a completed appeal packet is submitted. Students will be notified at their Ivy Tech email address of the committee’s decision. Visit ivytech.edu/sap for more information.
Additionally, withdrawn courses and courses marked incomplete after March 13, 2020 can be excluded from the Completion Rate and Maximum Timeframe calculation for students with a COVID-19 related issue. If these provisions apply to your situation, please submit a COVID-19 Statement using the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Personal Announcement link on MyIvy.
What if I need to withdraw from all of my classes because of COVID-19?
Students who do not complete classes for which they received federal financial aid usually have to repay some or all of the aid. If your reason for withdrawal was COVID-related, however, we may not have to return those funds, because of flexibilities offered under the CARES Act. These flexibilities could apply to your own illness, the illness of someone whose care you are responsible for, or other COVID-related circumstances.
Please contact your campus Financial Aid Office or Express Enrollment Center and let them know of your situation. They will ask you to submit a signed, dated statement in which you explain the reason for your withdrawal. Your statement can be submitted electronically; please open the link below for a Financial Aid Office e-mail address at your campus.
How can I provide requested documents to my Ivy Tech Financial Aid Office other than postal mail?
Verification documents requested from our Verification Processing Center must be uploaded as instructed using the links provided in the email notifications. Exception: Students whose verification requirements include the Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose may download that form from our Financial Aid Forms page, print and sign, and securely submit it electronically (along with a copy of your government-issued photo ID to your campus Financial Aid Office (see link to campuses below).
Other documents requested by the financial aid office can be returned via postal mail or using Ivy Tech’s secure file drop. By clicking on the link associated with your campus and entering your Ivy Tech student identification number (starting with C) and Ivy Tech email address, you will be able to securely upload documents. The following file types are permitted: .bmp, .png, .jpg, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx.
Are Emergency FSEOG and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grants to students' taxable income?
No. Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants to students and Emergency Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) awards under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) are not taxable income for the student. According to IRS FAQs, "Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code. This grant is not includible in your gross income.
I am unable to pay my monthly payment plan installment due to being temporarily laid off. What should I do?
If you are not able to make payments as agreed, please contact your campus Business/Bursar Office to discuss options. It is best to reach out to your local campus.
ADA Accommodation Request
Process for Requesting Accommodation
The College is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is the responsibility of the employee to initiate a request for accommodation. Employees must complete the ADA Accommodation Request Form and submit completed form to the local Human Resources Office. Please contact Human Resources to obtain the form. Human Resources will review the request, supporting documentation and engage in an interactive process with employee, supervisor, and medical provider if necessary. Human Resources will contact employees if any additional information is needed. Requests are considered on a case by case basis for reasonable accommodation.
Ivy Tech stands with all affected communities
At Ivy Tech Community College, diversity, equity, and belonging is grounded in our core values. We are working every day to build educational environments that respect and affirm the unique contributions of each individual, regardless of race, ethnicity, religious belief, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, disability, or political affiliation. As a community, we join with the efforts of those around the world that seek to challenge any personal or institutional bias, racism or xenophobia associated with the virus.