May 4, 2020- Supporting Our Students With CARES Funding

May 4, 2020

From: Chancellor Cynthia Larive 

Dear Campus Community,

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law in early April provides UC Santa Cruz with $19.3 million to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic on the university and its students. At least half of the institution’s allocation will go directly to students via the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) to help with expenses related to COVID-19, including costs for housing, food, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. The remainder of the funding will mitigate unexpected university costs associated with transitioning to remote instruction and remote work, as well as loss of revenue associated with housing, among others.

The emergency financial aid grants will be advanced directly to undergraduates and graduate students with the most need for their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child-care expenses.   

In determining the principles for allocation of CARES Act grants, the FASO consulted with campus leaders, including the Student Union Assembly (SUA) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA), on how best to award funds within the Department of Education regulations. We chose not to require an additional application to ensure we can streamline the awarding process. Graduate students who have submitted a FAFSA to UCSC anytime since 2005 were considered eligible. Spring quarter awards will range from $500 to $1,400. Students identified for an award will receive an email in the next few days to ensure they have direct deposit set up. A few days later, the awards will be disbursed. In addition, CARES Act grant-eligible students who enroll in 6 or more credits in summer session will receive $500. These are one-time grant awards that do not need to be paid back. 

The campus will also provide awards aligned with the same principles and priorities to students who have submitted the California Dream Application. 

Any student (resident, international, out of state, undocumented, with or without a financial aid application, etc.) experiencing a financial emergency is encouraged to contact Slug Support.

Our thoughts are with all members of the UC Santa Cruz community as together we face the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hope that you stay safe, stay well and stay connected.