EFSC Providing Emergency Student Grants Through CARES Act

Eastern Florida State College has received $4.4 million in emergency grant funding that will be provided to students 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.

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

“The pandemic has had a profound impact on EFSC students, and we hope the individual grants will give them some economic relief during this turbulent period,” said EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey.

“It’s part of our continuing effort to do everything possible to help students in every way we can.”

Student Emergency CARES Grant Eligibility

Applicants must meet the general student financial aid eligibility requirements, have been registered in at least one Spring 2020 class (excluding Minimester A classes) or enrolled for Summer 2020, and have submitted a 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students can still submit the FAFSA at fafsa.gov through June 30.

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 who attended in Spring Term will receive an email from EFSC’s Office of Financial Aid within 10 days with a grant decision. If approved, the grant will be disbursed within 7-10 days after the email’s receipt via BankMobile, EFSC’s aid disbursement partner.

Students who are attending only Summer Term will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid within 7-10 days after applying. However, summer-only grants will be disbursed following the Summer Term Aid Disbursement Schedule.

Any student who has not previously selected a refund preference should visit the BankMobile site to make a selection. Students taking classes in both Spring and Summer Terms will receive one grant for spring.

Automatic Proctored Exam Grants

In addition to the application process for Emergency CARES grants, students enrolled in face-to-face, hybrid and online classes for Spring 2020 who met general financial aid eligibility criteria are being awarded $25 for each registered class for Spring 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, and some students have already received this proctored exam grant or will soon.

Financial aid specialists can answer questions via email at finaid@easternflorida.edu or by phone at 321-433-7339.