March 24, 2021
1) What is the CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grant?
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. Institutions receiving HEERF II funds are required to award student emergency financial relief grants in an amount at least equal to the amount awarded through HEERF under CARES Act funding. At CSUN, student emergency grants provided through HEERF I and II are called CSUN Cares for Students (CCS) Grants. During Spring 2021, CSUN plans to award over $22,700,000 in CCS Grants.
2) What can the funds be used for?
Eligible students may use the grants toward:
- Any component of their cost of attendance
- Emergency costs that arise due to coronavirus, such as:
- tuition
- food
- housing
- health care (including mental)
- child care
3) When will CSUN open another CCS Grant awarding period?
The new awarding period begins March 25, 2021 and is planned to close on May 26, 2021.
4) How will I be notified if I am eligible?
The university will identify eligible students and send a communication to the student’s CSUN email address. In addition, eligible students will receive a text message.
5) Do I have to apply for the CCS Grant?
No. There is no application to complete. Once identified as eligible, the grant funds will be sent electronically via eRefund (direct deposit) or through regular mail via a paper check.
6) Do I need to submit/attach any documents?
No. You do not have to submit documents.
7) Who is eligible for a CCS Grant?
To be eligible, a student must be a 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.
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) does 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. Please see the questions below for details on these other emergency grant programs.
8) Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive a CCS Grant?
Students must be enrolled for spring 2021 at least part-time. CCS Grant awards will be prorated according to the chart below:
| Category | Part-time | Full-time |
| Undergraduate | 1 – 6 units | 7+ units |
| Graduate (already received bachelor's degree) | 1-4 units | 5+ units |
9) How did you determine the amount of my CCS Grant?
Awards are determined based on your computed EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from your 2020-21 FAFSA and your enrollment status (see chart in #8).
| Students with 0 EFC | Award Amount |
| Full-time | $1060 |
| Part-time | $530 |
| Students with 1 - 5711 EFC | Award Amount |
| Full-time | $700 |
| Part-time | $350 |
| All other students who filed a FAFSA | Award Amount |
| Full-time | $600 |
| Part-time | $300 |
10) How do I know what my EFC is?
There are two ways to see your EFC.
- If you have received federal or state aid for the current academic year, you can find your EFC by following the steps below.
a. Go to the CSUN home page and log into the myNorthridge Portal.
b. Once you are logged in, select the Financial Matters tab.
c. Locate the box called Financial Aid Essentials and select Check Your Award.
d. Select the 2020-2021 award year, which is the same as the 2020-2021 academic year.
e. You will see your financial aid award for the entire academic year. Scroll down to the bottom and click on “Financial Aid Summary” to view your EFC. - You may log into fafsa.gov “Returning User” link and select the “View or Print” your Student Aid Report (SAR)" option located near the middle of the “My FAFSA" page. Your EFC will be located in the upper right-hand corner of your SAR.
Note: Your award amount is established at the time we identify you as eligible. It cannot be updated or changed.
11) When will I receive the funds?
Awards will be processed through the University Cash Services (UCS) Department beginning March 25, 2021. Students will receive their awards by eRefund (direct deposit) or by paper check mailed by USPS to the current mailing address on file with Admissions & Records. It may take up to 5 business days for you to receive the funds.
Awards for newly eligible students will be processed every two weeks through May 27, 2021 and it may take up to 4 weeks to receive the funds.
12) How do I know if I am signed up for eRefund?
To check your eRefund status, go to the ‘My Financial Matters’ tab on your myNorthridge Portal and select eRefund. If the status is ‘active’, you will receive your CCS grant via direct deposit; if ‘inactive’, please enroll by entering your bank information on this page.
13) Where can I update my address on file with the university?
If you need to update your address on file with the university, you must go to https://www.csun.edu/admissions-records/update-personal-information and follow the instructions.
14) What if I have not filed a 2020-21 FAFSA yet?
It is not too late to apply. We encourage all students to complete a FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. CSUN’s school code is 00115300. To ensure timely processing, students are encouraged to submit their FAFSA no later than May 13, 2021.
15) Once I submit my FAFSA, how long will it take to receive the grant?
It may take up to 4 weeks to receive funds after completing your FAFSA.
16) What emergency funds are available to me if I am not eligible to submit a FAFSA?
There are two programs available for students who are not eligible for the CCS Grant. The CSUN Covid-19 Grant is open to students who filed a California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and have an approved Nonresident Tuition Exemption Affidavit (AB540) on file with Admissions & Records. The second program (MataCare Grant) is open to students not eligible to receive the CCS Grant or Covid-19 Grant. More information will be posted to the Financial Aid Website soon. Please check the website frequently for updates on these two programs.
17) Does the CCS Grant have to be paid back?
The CCSGrant does not have to be paid back.
18) Will the CCS Grant affect my financial aid?
The CCSGrant will not affect your eligibility for financial aid.
19) If I owe a balance to the university, does that get taken out of my CCS Grant?
Charges will not be taken out of your grant funds. These funds will be disbursed to your student account and refunded by direct deposit (eRefund) or by paper check mailed by USPS to your current mailing address on file with Admissions & Records. Once you receive the funds, you can then use them for emergency costs due to coronavirus, such as:
- tuition
- food
- housing
- health care (including mental)
- child care
20) If I’m currently receiving aid from EDD for unemployment. Can I still apply for the CCS Grant?
That is not a question we are qualified to answer. You may wish to ask the applicable agency. Just a note that the grant does not have to be paid back and the grant will not affect your eligibility for financial aid.
21) Will the grant affect my VA benefits in future semesters?
That is not a question we are qualified to answer. You may wish to ask the applicable agency. Just a note that the grant does not have to be paid back and the grant will not affect your eligibility for financial aid.
22) I’m an Open University student. Am I eligible for a CCS Grant?
No. These funds do not allow awards to non-matriculated students.
23) I’m a staff member taking classes at CSUN. Am I eligible to receive a CCS Grant?
No. Staff members taking classes are not eligible for the CCS Grants, as staff already receive an education benefit as part of the State Employee Fee Waiver Program.
24) Who can I contact if I have questions?
You may send an email to CSUNCARES2@csun.edu. It may take several days to get a response due to the volume of emails.