Frequently Asked Questions
- What types of CARES Emergency Grants are available at CSU Channel Islands (CI) for students?
- What is the CARES Emergency Grant?
- Who is eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant?
- What is the CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
- Who is eligible for the CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
- What is the CI CARES Emergency Grant?
- Who is eligible for the CI CARES Emergency Grant?
- If I am awarded an emergency grant, what happens next?
- How will I receive my emergency grant refund?
- Will these emergency grant funds be applied to my current Spring 2020 balance?
- When will emergency grant funds be available?
- Are there enrollment requirements?
- If I am awarded a CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
- If I am awarded a CSU CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
- If I am awarded a CI CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
- Do I have to complete requested verification documents to be eligible?
- I’m not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid will I still get a CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
- I’m a PBAC student am I eligible for the CARES Funding?
- I’m enrolled in the Cal State Online program am I eligible for CARES Funding?
- I’m an Open University student am I eligible for CARES Funding?
- I’m a staff member taking classes at CI am I eligible for CARES Funding?
- Why did I not receive a CARES Emergency Grant?
- Will there be CARES Emergency Grant funding for 2020-2021?
- Is there additional CARES funding available for students, if I need additional assistance?
- CARES Supplemental Funding Application
- CSU CARES Supplemental Funding Application
- Can I submit more than one application for the CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grant supplemental funding?
- Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
What types of CARES Emergency Grants are available at CSU Channel Islands (CI) for students?
There are 3 types of CARES emergency grants available assist students at CI:
- CARES Emergency Grant
- CSU CARES Emergency Grant
- CI CARES Emergency Grant
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What is the CARES Emergency Grant?
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. One section of the CARES Act provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants (HEERF-student share) for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.
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Who is eligible for the CARES Emergency Grant?
Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid and who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crises. The Financial Aid & Scholarships office will use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) data to determine your eligibility for the Cares Emergency Grant. If you are eligible to file a FAFSA but have not yet filed for 2019-2020, please complete the FAFSA no later than June 30, 2020.
Under the U.S. Department of Education (ED) rules for this program, is these funds can be awarded to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students pursuing degree-seeking programs and enrolled at the CI during Spring 2020 semester.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) does not allow these funds to be used for international students, undocumented students, non-matriculated students or students enrolled exclusively in online degree programs. If you are a student from one of these groups, there are other types of emergency grants available that are supported by the University. Please see the questions below for details on applying for these other emergency grant programs.
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What is the CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
The California State University system has made a commitment to students by instituting a temporary policy change that allows campuses flexibility in the use of State University Grant (SUG) funds (in the event a campus has remaining 2019-2020 SUG funds available) to provide emergency grants to eligible applicants who were ineligible for HEERF awards. CSU CARES grants will be awarded in the Spring and Summer 2020 semesters only.
This interim policy change is effective as of April 21, 2020 and will remain in effect through August 31, 2020. It may be extended as warranted.
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Who is eligible for the CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for state financial aid and have been impacted by COVID-19 crises. The Financial Aid & Scholarships office will use the California Dream Aid Application (CADAA) data to determine your eligibility for the CSU Cares Emergency Grant. If you are eligible to file a CADAA but have not yet filed for 2019-2020, please complete the CADAA no later than June 30, 2020.
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What is the CI CARES Emergency Grant?
CSU Channel Islands has made a commitment to use institutional funding to provide emergency grants to many students who are not otherwise eligible to receive the CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. Details regarding eligibility and distribution for all eligible populations are pending.
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Who is eligible for the CI CARES Emergency Grant?
Certain students who are not otherwise eligible for the CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grant programs.
How much will I receive for my CARES Emergency Grant?
- CARES Students: See Chart Below
CARES Block Amounts Amount 0-1000 EFC (7 units & Above) $925.00 0-1000 EFC (1-6 units) $462.50 1001-4000 EFC (7 units & Above) $600.00 1001-4000 EFC (1-6 units) $300.00 4001-999999 EFC (7 units & Above) $300.00 4001-999999 EFC (1-6 units) $150.00 - CSU CARES Students: See Chart Below
CSU CARES Block Amounts Amount 0-1000 EFC (7 units & Above) $926.00 0-1000 EFC (1-6 units) $463.00 1001-4000 EFC (7 units & Above) $600.00 1001-4000 EFC (1-6 units) $300.00 4001-999999 EFC (7 units & Above) $300.00 4001-999999 EFC (1-6 units) $150.00 - CI CARES Students: For questions about CI CARES, please contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or via email at deanofstudents@csuci.edu.
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If I am awarded an emergency grant, what happens next?
All emergency grant funds will be automatically disbursed to your student account.
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How will I receive my emergency grant refund?
Refunds will be processed through Student Business Services (SBS). Students will receive their refunds by direct deposit or by paper check and checks will be mailed by USPS to the current mailing address on file.
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Will these emergency grant funds be applied to my current Spring 2020 balance?
No. The emergency grants cannot be paid towards your bill. These funds will be disbursed to your student account and refunded by direct deposit or by paper check and checks will be mailed by USPS to the current mailing address on file. Once you receive the funds, you can then use them as you see fit. These funds are for your expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19 crises.
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When will emergency grant funds be available?
Disbursem*nt of these emergency grants started during the week of May 11th. CARES and CSU CARES Emergency Grants will continue to be processed as students complete their FAFSA or Dream Applications no later than June 30, 2020. CI CARES Emergency Grants are pending further details.
Are there enrollment requirements?
Yes. You must be registered for Spring 2020 semester and enrolled in at least 1 unit. Emergency grants will be prorated based on enrollment (FT: 7 or more units & HT: 1-6 units) at the rate of 50%.
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If I am awarded a CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
No. Your current financial aid offers will not be affected.
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If I am awarded a CSU CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
It depends. CSU Cares awards made using institutional/state funds that must be coordinated with other financial aid, counting as “estimated financial aid” (EFA), and is bound by the Cost of Attendance, as well.
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If I am awarded a CI CARES Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid?
No. Your current financial aid offers will not be affected.
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Do I have to complete requested verification documents to be eligible?
If you were selected for federal or institutional verification, you are not required to complete all requested verification documentation listed on your To-Do List in your myCI student portal to be eligible for the CARES and CSU Cares Emergency Grants.
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I’m not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid will I still get a CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grant?
No. Part of the eligibility requirements for a CARES or CSU CARES emergency grant is students must be meeting SAP for the Spring 2020 semester. The deadline for Spring 2020 SAP Appeals was Friday, February 21, 2020.
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I’m a PBAC student am I eligible for the CARES Funding?
Yes. Students enrolled in undergraduate, credential and graduate/postbaccalaureate degree-seeking programs are eligible.
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I’m enrolled in the Cal State Online program am I eligible for CARES Funding?
No. These funds do not allow awards to students enrolled in online degree programs. You may be eligible to apply for the CI Ekho Your Heart Program. This is a special fund that was established within the CI Foundation and is designed to aid students and employees experiencing a temporary hardship. The program may help with food and/or other necessities during a national and/or state disaster. Awards are granted on a case-by-case basis. Link to Apply
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I’m an Open University student am I eligible for CARES Funding?
No. These funds do not allow awards to non-matriculated students. You may be eligible to apply for the CI Ekho Your Heart Program. This is a special fund that was established within the CI Foundation and is designed to aid students and employees experiencing a temporary hardship. The program may help with food and/or other necessities during a national and/or state disaster. Awards are granted on a case-by-case basis. Link to Apply
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I’m a staff member taking classes at CI am I eligible for CARES Funding?
No. Staff members taking classes are not eligible for the CARES Grants, as staff already receive an education benefit as part of the State Employee Fee Waiver Program.
You may be eligible to apply for the CI Ekho Your Heart Program. This is a special fund that was established within the CI Foundation and is designed to aid students and employees experiencing a temporary hardship. The program may help with food and/or other necessities during a national and/or state disaster. Awards are granted on a case-by-case basis. Link to Apply
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Why did I not receive a CARES Emergency Grant?
Students who are not eligible for federal and state aid programs are not eligible for the CARES or CSU CARES emergency grants. Additional factors that may affect your eligibility are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), not being registered in Spring semester, having withdrawn from the Spring 2020 semester or not being a matriculated student.
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Will there be CARES Emergency Grant funding for 2020-2021?
At this time, our priority is to award Spring 2020 eligible students. We will continue to monitor federal and state economic conditions, as well as the prospects for additional emergency funding for universities and students. This FAQ page will be updated with relevant information as it becomes available.
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Is there additional CARES funding available for students, if I need additional assistance?
Yes. Students may apply for supplemental funding under the CARES and CSU CARES Emergency Grant programs. The CARES Supplemental Emergency Grant program provides additional funding to students who may have experienced additional expenses due to the COVID-19 crises. Students must complete an online application and the maximum amount students may request for these supplemental emergency grants is $500.
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CARES Supplemental Funding Application
Students must complete the online application and meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Have a 2019-2020 FAFSA on file by June 30, 2020
- Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and all other federal aid eligibility criteria
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program during the Spring 2020 semester
Applications are available in your myCI student portal under the Financial Aid Student Forms services tile. You may access and complete the online application from your phone, tablet or computer.
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CSU CARES Supplemental Funding Application
Students must complete the online application and meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Have a 2019-2020 California Dream Act Application (CADAA) on file by June 30, 2020
- Have an approved AB540 affidavit on file by June 30, 2020
- Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and all other State Aid eligibility criteria
- Be enrolled in a degree-seeking program during the Spring 2020 semester
Applications are available in your myCI student portal under the Financial Aid Student Forms services tile. You may access and complete the online application from your phone, tablet or computer.
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Can I submit more than one application for the CARES or CSU CARES Emergency Grant supplemental funding?
Yes. Please note the maximum amount you can receive for the supplemental emergency grant request is $500. Any request over the $500 maximum will not be approved or funded.
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Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
For questions regarding eligibility for CARES and CSU CARES Emergency Grants please contact Financial Aid & Scholarships office at 805-437-8530 or via email at financial.aid@csuci.edu.
For questions about CI CARES, please contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or via email at deanofstudents@csuci.edu.
For questions about your CARES refunds, please contact Student Business Services at 805-437-8810 or via email at sbs@csuci.edu.
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