CARES Act FAQs

CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant

Last updated: May 4, 2021

  • What is the federal CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant?
    The CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Fund provides emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus as stipulated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act that was signed into law March 27, 2020. Awards will be distributed to eligible UCSF students based on need derived from the 2019-20 FAFSA or College Board Profile. In partnership with the Controller’s Office and Office of Sponsored Research; UCSF signed and returned the Certification Agreement to the Department of Education attesting that awarded CARES Act funds will be used to provide federal emergency aid grants to UCSF students.
  • Who is eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant and how will eligibility be determined?
    Federal regulations require schools to confirm that a student receiving any CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Grant assistance be FAFSA eligible, which includes:
    • Is a US Citizen or an eligible noncitizen
    • Has a valid Social Security number
    • Is registered with Selective Service, if you’re a male (you must register between the ages of 18 and 25)
    • Is not in default on a federal student loan
    • Does not owe money on a federal student grant
    • Is currently enrolled in spring 2020 quarter
    Additionally, eligible UCSF students must demonstrate need as determined by the FAFSA or College Board Profile, and must have applied for and been disbursed more than 20K in Federal Direct Loans while having attended UCSF.
  • How much will eligible students receive in the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant?
    The CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant is one-time funding awarded to eligible UCSF students enrolled in spring 2020. Awards will be distributed based on financial need derived from 2019-20 FAFSA or College Board Profile. Funding will be disbursed as indicated below (per student):
    Graduate and Professional Students
    Students Amount
    School of Dentistry $600
    School of Medicine $600
    School of Nursing $600
    Graduate Division/PhD $600
    School of Pharmacy $600
    Physical Therapy $600
    Physical Therapy students unable to graduate in spring 2020 and extending to summer $3,862 (average award)
  • When will eligible students receive the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant?
    The distribution of funds to eligible students will begin the week of May 18, 2020. If you have not received your funds by June 1, please contact Student Financial Services. In the meantime, please sign-up for direct deposit.
  • Why didn’t I receive a CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant?
    If you are ineligible for a CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant, and if you or your family was significantly affected by issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we may be able to help you with other basic-need resources. For more information, please contact Student Financial Services directly.
  • How much CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant aid were awarded to UCSF for student grants and to how many students is this being distributed?
    • UCSF received a total of $434,317 in Emergency Federal Financial Aid Grant Aid to be awarded to eligible, needy students.
    • The number of registered students in spring 2020 was estimated at 3,048.
    • Of registered students, 1,179 met the CARES Act eligibility criteria.
    • The projected number of CARES Act recipients is 626, and represents 21% of ALL students registered in spring 2020 (3,048).
    • The projected number of CARE Act recipients is 626, and represents 54% of registered students meeting eligibility criteria (1,179).
    • Number of Emergency Grants Distributed to Students (as of August 20, 2020): 626 out of 626.