CARES (HEERF) Reporting

HEERF I - CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grant Summary

As of October 15, 2020, 100% of HEERF I Funds Have Been Distributed to Students

BACKGROUND

The CSUN Cares for Students Grant is made possible through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provides financial support to eligible students who have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

CERTIFICATION

CSUN signed and returned the Certification and Agreement on May 5, 2020 confirming funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act are to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. California State University, Northridge was awarded $44,652,328, of which no less than $22,326,164 or 50% was disbursed to students. Upon receiving the funding allocation in early May 2020, CSUN distributed grants to eligible students based on financial need. To view information on the institutional portion of the HEERF Cares funds, please visit https://www.csun.edu/financial/fs-cares-disbursement.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

The university has awarded 37,573 grants to eligible students who responded affirmatively to the university’s invitation to receive a grant.

ELIGIBILITY

In the initial round of Cares funding, eligible students were invited to apply for a grant by the priority deadline of May 15, 2020.

Students applied online at myNorthridge portal under Financial Matters in the CSUN Cares Grant Application pagelet.  Eligible students had the option to accept a pre-approved grant amount or provide justification to request a higher amount. Disbursements began on May 6, 2020.

To be eligible, students were required to be enrolled at CSUN during Spring 2020 in an undergraduate, graduate or professional program; be eligible to receive federal financial aid; and not be enrolled in a completely online degree program. During the priority award period, only current Title IV financial aid recipients were identified as eligible to receive the CARES grant.

A total of 26,819 students were identified and invited to apply for a CARES grant. Eligible expenses included food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and other college expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 related disruption of campus operations. Grant awards ranged from $154 to $1,568 based on family income as reflected by the applicant’s official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) to the student’s cost of attendance. Students with the lowest (i.e., “0”) EFC received the highest grant award. Students attending less than full-time received half the designated amount.

Amounts were prorated for part-time enrollment

The university opened a second application period for other eligible students as well as students who failed to apply during the initial application period. Eligible students were notified by email on July 7, 2020 and were encouraged to complete and submit their application by July 16, 2020. During the second award period, only Title IV eligible financial aid recipients were identified to receive the CARES grant. 12,637 students were identified and invited to apply for a CARES grant. Eligible expenses included food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and other college expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 related disruption of campus operations. Grant awards ranged from $154 to $1,568 based. Students attending less than full-time received half the designated amount.

The university opened a third, fourth and fifth application period for students who met the criteria in the initial application period (enrolled at CSUN during Spring 2020 in an undergraduate, graduate or professional program; Title IV financial aid recipient for spring eligible to receive federal financial aid; and not be enrolled in a completely online degree program). In addition, students had to be enrolled for fall 2020 in at least ½ time and be a Title IV eligible financial aid recipient. Eligible students were notified by email on October 5, 2020 and were encouraged to complete and submit their application by October 23, 2020. 17,482 students were identified and invited to apply for a CARES grant. Eligible expenses included food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and other college expenses incurred as a result of COVID-19 related disruption of campus operations. Students enrolled full-time received $480 and students enrolled half-time received $240.

This page was updated on January 11, 2021, to include the final report to the U.S. Department of Education regarding emergency financial aid grants to students.

HEERF II- CSUN Cares for Students Grant Spring 2021 Summary

As of July 29, 2021 100% of HEERF II Funds Have Been Distributed to Students

BACKGROUND

The CSUN Cares for Students Grant, first awarded in Spring 2020, was made available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The purpose of the grant was to provide emergency financial relief to students incurring costs associated with COVID-19. In late December 2020, the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF II) was established pursuant to the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) to provide additional economic relief from the COVID-19 pandemic. At CSUN, student emergency grants provided through HEERF are called CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grants.  During Spring 2021, CSUN plans to award over $23,000,000 in CCS Grants.

CERTIFICATION

CSUN signed and returned the Certification and Agreement on May 5, 2020 confirming funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act are to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students. California State University, Northridge was awarded $44,652,328, of which no less than $22,326,164 or 50% was disbursed to students. Upon receiving the funding allocation on March 11, 2021, CSUN distributed grants to eligible students based on financial need. To view information on the institutional portion of the HEERF Cares funds, please visit https://www.csun.edu/financial/fs-cares-disbursement.

FUNDING OVERVIEW

The university awarded a total of $27,738,606 to 34,485 students. This amount included the student grant portion of $22,326,164 in addition to $38,610 from the institutional portion and $5,373,831 from MSI funds.

The new awarding period began March 25, 2021 and closed on May 26, 2021. For information about the program, please review the FAQs at https://www.csun.edu/financialaid/csun-cares-students-spring-2021-grant-faqs. Appeal applications were processed through July 29, 2021.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible, a student had to be Title IV eligible financial aid recipient and meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in spring 2021 as full or part time undergraduate or graduate student in an eligible program
• Be matriculated for spring 2021
• Have a valid 2020-21 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on file no later than May 13, 2021.
• Students must be enrolled for spring 2021 at least part-time.

CCS Grant awards were prorated according to the chart below:

Awards were determined based on student’s computed EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the 2020-21 FAFSA and enrollment status (see above).

Note: The U.S. Department of Education (ED) did not allow HEERF to be awarded to international students, undocumented students, or non-matriculated students. There are other types of emergency grants available to these groups of students that are supported by the University.

Funds were to be used for the following items:

• Any component of student’s cost of attendance
• Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
• tuition
• food
• housing
• health care (including mental)
• child care

Awarding Process

On a bi-weekly basis, the university identified eligible students and sent a communication to the eligible student’s CSUN email address. In addition, eligible students received a text message. This process continued through May 26, 2021. There was no application to complete. Once identified as eligible, the grant funds were sent to the student electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check.

This page was updated on January 11, 2021, to include the final report to the U.S. Department of Education regarding emergency financial aid grants to students.

HEERF III – CSUN Cares for Students Grant
Fall 2021
Updated on July 10, 2022 (Final Report)

BACKGROUND

CSUN Cares for Students Grant, first awarded in Spring 2020, was made available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I), which was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Since then, the Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF II) and the American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) also included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education and their students. At CSUN, student emergency grants provided through HEERF I, II and III are called CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grants. During this Fall 2021 semester, CSUN plans to award over $34,000,000 in CCS Grants.

CERTIFICATION

CSUN signed and returned the Certification and Agreement on May 5, 2020 confirming funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act are to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.  California State University, Northridge was allocated $64,816,899 for student grant awarding for the 2021-2022 academic year. In addition, the University added $6,352,301 to student grant funding for a total allocation of $71,169,200. Upon receiving the funding, CSUN distributed grants to eligible students based on financial need. To view information on the institutional portion of the HEERF Cares funds, please visit https://www.csun.edu/financial/fs-heerf-information

FUNDING OVERVIEW

40,056 students were identified as being potentially eligible to receive the grant for Fall 2021.. As of July 10, 2022, the university awarded $34,413,700 to 36,575 students in Fall 2021. The Fall 2021 awarding period closed on November 29, 2021.

ELIGIBILITY

If student filed a FAFSA or CADAA, awards were determined based on computed EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the 2021-22 FAFSA or 2021-22 CADAA and enrollment status. Based on these two variables, funds were awarded according to the chart below.

Students who did not file a FAFSA or CADAA were required to submit an application. Grants were awarded according to the chart below.

Awarding process

The university identified eligible students who had filed a FAFSA/CAADA and sent a communication to the student’s CSUN email address. In addition, eligible students received a text message. These students were not required to complete an application. Once identified as eligible, the grant funds were sent to the student electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check.

Students who did not file a FAFSA or CAADA were required to submit an application. Applications were sent directly to student via their CSUN email. Once student submitted a completed application, funds were sent electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check. Deadline for student to submit an application for Fall 2021 was November 30, 2021.

Information about the CCS Grant for Fall 2021 were available at https://www.csun.edu/financialaid/csun-cares-students-grant-faqs-fall-2021-combined.

HEERF III – CSUN Cares for Students Grant
Spring 2022
Updated on July 10, 2022 (Final Report)

BACKGROUND

CSUN Cares for Students Grant, first awarded in Spring 2020, was made available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I), which was established in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Since then, the Education Emergency Relief Funds II (HEERF II) and the American Rescue Plan (HEERF III) also included additional COVID-19 relief for institutions of higher education and their students. At CSUN, student emergency grants provided through HEERF I, II and III are called CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grants. During the Spring 2022 semester, CSUN awarded over $36,000,000 in CCS Grants.

CERTIFICATION

CSUN signed and returned the Certification and Agreement on May 5, 2020 confirming funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act are to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.  California State University, Northridge was allocated $64,816,899 for student grant awarding for the 2021-2022 academic year. In addition, the University added $6,352,301 to student grant funding for a total allocation of $71,169,200. $34,413,700 was awarded to 36,575 students in Fall 2021 and $36,755,500 was awarded to 33,200 students in Spring 2022. Upon receiving the funds, CSUN distributed grants to eligible students based on financial need. To view information on the institutional portion of the HEERF Cares funds, please visit https://www.csun.edu/financial/fs-heerf-information

FUNDING OVERVIEW

34,807 students were identified as being potentially eligible for the grant in Spring 2022. As of July 10, 2022, the university awarded $36,755,500 to 33,200 students in Spring 2022. The Spring 2022 awarding period closed on April 11, 2022.

ELIGIBILITY

If student filed a FAFSA or CADAA, awards were determined based on computed EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from the 2021-22 FAFSA or 2021-22 CADAA and enrollment status. Based on these two variables, funds were awarded according to the chart below.

Students who did not file a FAFSA or CAADA were required to submit an application. Grants were awarded according to the chart below.

Awarding process

The university identified eligible students who had filed a FAFSA/CAADA and sent a communication to the student’s CSUN email address. In addition, eligible students received a text message. These students were not required to complete an application. Once identified as eligible, the grant funds were sent to the student electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check.

Students who did not file a FAFSA or CAADA were required to submit an application. Applications were sent directly to student via their CSUN email. Once student submitted a completed application, funds were sent electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check. The deadline for students to submit an application for Spring 2022 was April 11, 2022.

Information about the CCS Grant for Spring 2022 are available at https://www.csun.edu/financialaid/ccs-grant-spring-2022-combined-faqs.