University of Central Florida Distributing $25.5 Million in Emergency Aid to Students Due to COVID-19

By  //  May 5, 2020

UCF received $51 million Coronavirus Aid funding

The University of Central Florida has opened the process for eligible students to apply for emergency funds to assist with financial hardships due to COVID-19. (UCF image)

ORLANDO, FLORIDA  – The University of Central Florida has opened the process for eligible students to apply for emergency funds to assist with financial hardships due to COVID-19.

UCF recently received $51 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or “CARES” Act, and about $25.5 million will be distributed to eligible students whose education has been disrupted due to the pandemic.

The funding is meant to help students struggling with expenses such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care as a result of COVID-19.

“This is an important step in helping eligible students overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and continue on their paths to academic and career success,” Maribeth Ehasz, Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services, said in an email sent to students today.

The federal emergency funding was allocated based on each university’s population of students eligible for federal Pell Grants. UCF received the largest allocation of Florida’s dozen public universities and the fourth-largest in the nation.

Students can apply for the aid here: https://tinyurl.com/UCF-CARES-ACT-Funding. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, May 19.

All applications will be considered, but UCF’s priority is helping students with the most urgent needs.

For example, students who have had difficulty paying off-campus rent or who had to purchase equipment to complete their courses online will be prioritized over students who have already received housing or dining refunds.

To be eligible for funding, students must have submitted a 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or submit a FAFSA application at the same time they apply for CARES Act funding.

The federal legislation also requires that students seeking aid be degree-seeking; enrolled in the term for which they are seeking assistance; and U.S. citizens. Additionally, UCF Online students are not eligible for federal aid.

Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible, including those graduating in Spring 2020.

Due to the high volume of applications expected and the time it will take to review them, students may not receive the money for 3-4 weeks.

Students who are not eligible for CARES Act funding or need additional assistance may apply for help from the UCF Student Emergency Fund by emailing Student Care Services at caremanager@ucf.edu.

The UCF community has donated more than $135,000 to this emergency fund to help with housing insecurity and other unexpected expenses.

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