What types of Student Emergency Grants are available for the Spring 2021 semester at CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) for students? [top]
There are 3 types of student emergency grants available to assist students at CSUCI:

  • CARES (HEERF) II - Student Emergency Grants
  • CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grant
  • CSUCI CARES II - Student Emergency Grant

What is the CARES (HEERF) II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) provides an additional $22.7 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Of this amount, over $20 billion is available to colleges and universities to use for emergency grants to students for emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. Students who meet basic eligibility criteria for federal student aid are eligible to receive these funds.

Who is eligible for the CARES (HEERF) II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
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 (HEERF) II - Student Emergency Grant.

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) does not allow these funds to be used for international students, non-matriculated students or undocumented students. If you are a student from one of these groups, there are other types of emergency grants available that are supported by California State University (CO) and the University. Please see the questions below for details on applying for these other emergency grant programs.

What is the CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
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 SUG funds available) to provide emergency grants to eligible applicants who were ineligible for HEERF II awards. CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grants will be awarded in the Spring 2021 semester only. 

Who is eligible for the CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
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 II - Student Emergency Grant.

What is the CSUCI CARES II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
CSUCI has made a commitment to use institutional funding to provide emergency grants to students who are not otherwise eligible to receive the CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II funding for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis. For questions about CSUCI CARES, contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or deanofstudents@csuci.edu.

Who is eligible for the CSUCI CARES II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
Students who are not otherwise eligible for the CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II emergency grant programs.

Can I qualify for all three CARES II - Student Emergency Grants? [top]
No. Students will only qualify for one of the emergency grants listed above depending on their student aid status.

How much will I receive for my Emergency Grant? [top]

  • CARES (HEERF)II & CSU CARES II Students: See Chart Below
    Emergency Grant Amounts
    0-4,000 EFC$ 1,200
    4,001-999,999 EFC$ 900
  • CSUCI CARES II Students: For questions about CI CARES, please contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or via email at deanofstudents@csuci.edu.

If I am awarded an emergency grant, what happens next?[top]
All emergency grant funds will be automatically disbursed to your student account.

How will I receive my emergency grant refund? [top]
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. 

Will these emergency grant funds be applied to my current Spring 2021 balance? [top]
No. 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 emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare.

When will emergency grant funds be available?[top]
Disbursement of the CARES (HEERF) II and CSU CARES II emergency grants will begin the week of March 15, 2021.

Information for international or undocumented (non-AB540) students regarding applications for the CSUCI CARES II emergency grants will be available the week of March 15, 2021.

Are there enrollment requirements? [top]
Yes. You must be registered for Spring 2021 semester and enrolled in at least 1 unit.

If I am awarded a CARES (HEERF) II - Student Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid? [top]
No. Your current financial aid offers will not be affected.

If I am awarded a CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grant, will it affect my financial aid? [top]
No. Your current financial aid offers will not be affected.

Do I have to complete requested verification documents to be eligible? [top]
No. If you were selected for federal, state 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 (HEERF) II and CSU Cares II Student Emergency Grants.

I’m not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid will I still get a CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II - Student Emergency Grant? [top]
Yes. Meeting SAP is not an eligibility requirement for a CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II emergency grant.

I’m a PBAC student am I eligible for the CARES II Funding? [top]
Yes. Students enrolled in undergraduate, credential and graduate/postbaccalaureate degree-seeking programs are eligible.

I’m enrolled in the Cal State Online program am I eligible for CARES II Funding? [top]
Yes. Students enrolled in the Cal State Online program are eligible.

I am an international student, am I eligible for the CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II funds? [top]
No. However, international students may be eligible to receive CSUCI CARES II funds. The Dean of Students (DOS) office will contact international students directly regarding application details. Contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or deanofstudents@csuci.edu. Applications will be available the week of March 15, 2021.

I am an undocumented student (non-AB 540), am I eligible for CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II funds? [top]
No. However, undocumented students (non-AB 540) may be eligible for CSUCI CARES II funds. The CSUCI CARES grant is for students who cannot complete the Dream Application and do not meet the AB 540 Affidavit criteria. Applications will be available the week of March 15, 2021. Students may contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or deanofstudents@csuci.edu or the following University faculty/staff for application information:

I’m an Open University student am I eligible for CARES II Funding? [top]
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

Why did I not receive an Emergency Grant? [top]
Students who are not eligible for federal and state aid programs are not eligible for the CARES (HEERF) II or CSU CARES II emergency grants. Additional factors that may affect your eligibility are not being enrolled in Spring 2021 semester, having withdrawn from the Spring 2021 semester or not being a matriculated student.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions? [top]
For questions regarding eligibility for CARES (HEERF) 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 CSUCI CARES, please contact the Dean of Students office at 805-437-8512 or via email at deanofstudents@csuci.edu.

For questions about your emergency grant refund, please contact Student Business Services at 805-437-8810 or via email at sbs@csuci.edu.

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