EFSC Providing More Emergency Student Grants Through CARES Act

September 17, 2020 - Eastern Florida State College will provide emergency grant funding to students enrolled in the Fall Term impacted by COVID-19 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES).

The funding is to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including food, housing, course materials, technology, healthcare and childcare.

The college received $4.4 million in CARES funding for students earlier this year and has awarded $2.7 million to nearly 7,300 students in the Spring and Summer Terms. Fall Term students are eligible if they have not previously received a grant.

Funding is limited and not guaranteed, but the College hopes to assist as many Fall Term students as possible.

“The pandemic continues to cause financial hardship for many of our students who are striving to continue their education. These grants can make an important difference in their lives and reflect our strong commitment to help them in every way possible,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

Student Emergency CARES Grant Eligibility

Fall grants are available to students who did not previously receive a grant for the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 term. Applicants must meet the general student financial aid eligibility requirements, be registered in the Fall 2020 semester or a 2020-21 Career and Technical Certificate program, submit the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and complete the financial aid application process. 
 
Under federal criteria, the following students are not eligible:
•    Dual-enrolled, international and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students
•    Students in the online Bachelor of Nursing program, transient students and non-degree students
•    Students with ineligible Satisfactory Academic Progress status

Application, Notification and Disbursement Process

EFSC students should log in to the myEFSC Student Services Portal and use the CARES Act Student Emergency Funding link to determine eligibility and to apply online.

Applicants will receive an email from EFSC’s Office of Financial Aid within 10 days with a grant decision. If approved, grants for students in classes that started in August will disburse within 7 days via BankMobile, EFSC’s aid disbursement partner. Funds for students whose enrollment starts in September or October will receive funds according to EFSC’s published disbursement schedule.

Any student who has not previously selected a refund preference should visit the BankMobile site to make a selection.

Automatic Proctored Exam Grants

In addition to the application process for Emergency CARES grants, students enrolled in Fall 2020 who meet the CARES Grant eligibility requirements will be awarded $25 for each registered class for Fall 2020. This is to help cover exam proctoring fees and other expenses encountered due to the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19. This portion of the grant is being paid to students through BankMobile without the need for a separate application. Grants for classes that started in August disbursed today. Grants for classes starting in September and October will disburse according to EFSC’s published disbursement schedule.
 
Financial aid specialists can answer questions via email at finaid@easternflorida.edu or by phone at 321-433-7339.

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