Sac State to award emergency financial aid grants to students
All Title IV students are eligible
Screenshot via Zoom
Sac State President Robert Nelsen announced at a faculty town hall meeting held via Zoom that students eligible for FAFSA will receive emergency financial aid grants. The university received over $35 million in emergency federal stimulus funds granted by the federal government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 27, 2020
Sacramento State will disburse financial aid grants to all Title IV students thanks to over $35 million in emergency federal stimulus funds received by the college, university President Robert Nelsen said during a faculty town hall meeting Monday.
All students who are eligible to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form are Title IV students and will receive the emergency financial aid. Doctorate and masters’ students as well as undocumented students are also included.
The U.S. Department of Education excludes international students from eligibility, Nelsen said.
President Nelsen said the amount to be disbursed is still being negotiated. For students who qualify, they will receive funds automatically within a week or next week. Students should update their address in their My Sac State student center or set up for direct deposit through eRefund.
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Sac State received emergency stimulus funds through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27. The law appropriates about $14 billion for higher education, with about $12.5 billion to be split for emergency grants to students and money for schools’ needs amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Sac State was allocated $35,734,362 in total with $17,867,181 being the minimum amount required to be awarded to students for emergency financial aid grants. According to the law, schools must award at least half of their total allocation to students.
The methodology used to determine the amount allocated to each school was partially based on the number of students who are Pell grant recipients. Nelsen said 70% of the funds will go to students who are eligible for the Pell grant with 30% going to all other Title IV students.
According to Nelsen, some of the money will be used for refunds for housing or food; however, it cannot be used for athletics, religious purposes or scholarships.
Additional reporting by deputy news editor Chris Wong.
This is a developing story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
Amelia Peterson • Apr 29, 2020 at 12:25 pm
This is such positive news! Due to COVID-19, many students are in dire need, as their food, housing and educational goals are very insecure. I have a child that attends Sacramento State, and I want to truly thank President Robert Nelsen and the staff for helping our vulnerable students. “It takes a village”.
There was a previous comment by a student named Shane, who shared he was a prior Lyft driver and unable to apply for unemployment. Shane, yesterday on April 28th, the EDD opened up the application system for the self employed, independent contractors and gig workers. PLEASE apply now. My best to you!
Amelia Peterson • Apr 29, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Correction. I meant to say yesterday, APRIL 28th opened for unemployment applications for self employed, independent contractors and gig workers.
Nathan cook • Apr 29, 2020 at 8:48 am
Does this include all students ,or just Sacramento state students?
Shane • Apr 28, 2020 at 12:56 pm
I need this soo badly. Im a single father with two children. Ive driven for lyft for the last 4 years. I cannot work because my children are out of school. I have not recieven unemployment because im 1099 and the systems are not in place. I never recieved a stimulus check and cannot contact the IRS to find out why. Im about to loose my home and everything.
Ariesse Mendoza • Apr 28, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Does this apply to graduating seniors?