The global disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic touched every aspect of life, and higher education was no exception. Recognizing the profound impact on students, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. A critical component of this legislation was the establishment of emergency financial aid for students facing campus operation disruptions. This initiative is widely recognized as the Act Cares Scholarship Program, designed to provide vital support to students in need. This article delves into the specifics of the Act Cares Scholarship Program, outlining eligibility, award amounts, and timelines, ensuring students have a clear understanding of this crucial financial resource.
Understanding the Act Cares Scholarship Program
The Act Cares Scholarship Program, officially known as the CARES Act Emergency Relief Grant Fund, is a federal initiative aimed at directly assisting students with expenses incurred due to the shift in campus operations during the pandemic. Funding is allocated to institutions of higher education, who then distribute it to eligible students. At UC Davis, for example, the program prioritized undergraduate students demonstrating financial need, as determined by the 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Graduate and professional students were also included, with funds distributed to support their educational journeys during these unprecedented times.
Who Can Benefit from the Act Cares Scholarship Program? Eligibility Explained
To ensure that the Act Cares Scholarship Program reached those most in need, specific eligibility criteria were established, mirroring federal guidelines for financial aid. Students applying for this scholarship program needed to meet the following essential requirements:
- Citizenship: Applicants had to be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.
- Social Security Number: A valid Social Security number was mandatory.
- Selective Service Registration: Male students between the ages of 18 and 25 were required to be registered with Selective Service.
- Federal Student Aid Status: Students could not be in default on federal student loans or owe money on federal student grants.
- Enrollment Status: Crucially, recipients had to be actively enrolled students.
For undergraduate students at UC Davis seeking consideration for the Act Cares Scholarship Program, filing the 2019-2020 FAFSA by May 30, 2020, was a prerequisite. Demonstrating financial need through the FAFSA was a key factor in undergraduate eligibility. Graduate and professional students were also encouraged to file a 2019-2020 FAFSA or complete a certification confirming their eligibility for Title IV funding. Detailed information on federal financial aid eligibility requirements can be found on the official Federal Student Aid website.
Act Cares Scholarship Program: How Much Financial Aid Was Available?
The Act Cares Scholarship Program provided a one-time financial disbursement to eligible students. The total funding was divided between undergraduate and graduate/professional student populations based on enrollment percentages at each institution. Within UC Davis, the allocation strategy further prioritized undergraduates with the greatest financial need, as evidenced by their FAFSA data.
Here’s a breakdown of the one-time scholarship amounts disbursed at UC Davis:
For Undergraduate Students:
- Pell Grant Recipients: $1,000
- Recipients of other Grants (Non-Pell): $750
- Subsidized Direct Loan Eligibility Only (No Grants): $500
For Graduate/Professional Students:
- Graduate Studies: $600
- School of Education: $600
- School of Law: $600
- School of Management: $600 (Note: Not applicable to Online MBA students)
- School of Medicine: $600
- Veterinary Medicine: $600
It’s important to note that undocumented students under AB 540 at UC Davis received equivalent relief funds from institutional emergency grants, ensuring equitable support regardless of Title IV eligibility.
Timeline for Receiving Your Act Cares Scholarship Funds
The distribution of Act Cares Scholarship Program funds was designed to be swift to address the immediate financial needs of students. At UC Davis, the initial disbursement began the week of May 4, 2020. Students who believed they met the eligibility criteria and had not received their scholarship by May 15, 2020, were advised to contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships office for a review. To expedite fund receipt, students were encouraged to enroll in direct deposit and verify their mailing address in the Student Information System.
For students enrolled in summer sessions at UC Davis, a separate Summer Act Cares Emergency Relief Grant was also available. The disbursement timelines for the summer program were as follows:
- Summer Session 1: Funds began distribution the week of June 26, 2020. Students should have contacted Financial Aid and Scholarships if they hadn’t received funds by July 15, 2020.
- Summer Session 2: Funds began distribution the week of August 3, 2020. Students should have contacted Financial Aid and Scholarships if they hadn’t received funds by August 21, 2020.
Direct deposit enrollment and address verification in the Student Information System were also recommended for summer recipients.
How the Act Cares Scholarship Program Interacted with Other Aid
The Act Cares Scholarship Program was designed to complement, not replace, other forms of student financial aid. For instance, work-study students were eligible for the Act Cares scholarship in addition to a one-time federal and institutional work-study grant. This additional work-study grant was calculated based on winter quarter hours worked, providing further financial stability to students relying on work-study programs.
Furthermore, students who had adjusted their on-campus housing contracts due to COVID-19 disruptions and received housing-related resources in March 2020 were still eligible for the Act Cares Scholarship Program. This demonstrated a commitment to providing comprehensive support, acknowledging the multifaceted financial challenges students faced.
What If You Didn’t Receive Act Cares Scholarship Funds?
Eligibility for the Act Cares Scholarship Program was primarily tied to eligibility for need-based federal financial aid programs. Students eligible for federal need-based aid who did not receive an Act Cares Emergency Relief Grant at UC Davis were encouraged to contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships office for an eligibility review.
For students ineligible for the federal Act Cares disbursement but facing significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UC Davis offered alternative emergency aid options through institutional resources. Students were directed to inquire about Institutional Student Support for further assistance. For longer-term financial needs, students were advised to consider a Family Contribution Review appeal, available starting July 2020 for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Crucially, receiving funds from the Act Cares Scholarship Program did not create any obligation to return the grant if a student withdrew from the spring quarter/semester. The funding was explicitly intended as one-time relief to mitigate COVID-19 related disruptions.
Looking ahead to the summer of 2020 and beyond, the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided additional COVID-19 relief for higher education. UC Davis, like other institutions, awaited federal guidance on ARP Act fund distribution. Up-to-date information regarding the ARP and its impact on student financial aid was made available on the UC Davis Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
In conclusion, the Act Cares Scholarship Program served as a critical lifeline for countless students navigating the financial challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. By understanding the eligibility criteria, award amounts, and disbursement timelines, students could effectively access this vital resource and continue their educational pursuits during a period of immense uncertainty.
