Dear Undergraduate Students,
We are pleased to inform you that emergency financial aid grants, made possible through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA), have been awarded to eligible undergraduate students. These grants are similar to those distributed in Spring 2020 through the CARES Act and are intended to help students with expenses such as food, housing, health care including mental health, child care, and tuition.
Since we understand that each student has been uniquely impacted by the ongoing pandemic, we worked diligently to implement an awarding plan that ensured all students whose 2020-21 financial aid applications demonstrated financial need would receive support. And knowing that financial assistance is of urgent importance to many of our students, we distributed CRRSAA funding as soon as possible after it arrived on campus.
CRRSAA Grant Information
- Grants were awarded on March 3, 2021. A total of 11,193 students received awards ranging from $450 to $1,250, equaling $9,690,350 in emergency funding. Note that CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants.
- Grant recipients do not need to take any additional action. Students who submitted a 2020-21 financial aid application and demonstrated financial need were automatically awarded.
- To determine whether you received a grant, and in what amount, log in to My Aid Status and click "Award Letter." Look for a "COVID CRRSAA Grant" or "UCSB COVID19 Relief Grant."
- Students enrolled in eRefund with BARC can expect to receive their funding during the week of March 8th. Otherwise, a refund check will be mailed to the permanent mailing address on file with BARC and is expected to be delivered during the week of March 15th.
- Didn't receive a CRRSAA Grant but have financial need? Undergraduate students may submit an appeal between March 3rd and April 1st.
For detailed information regarding how CRRSAA funding was distributed among students, a timeline of when eligible students can expect to receive their financial aid refund, and information on how students who were not initially awarded funding can appeal for reconsideration, please review the CRRSAA Details handout. The handout also provides specific information for Dream Scholars, international students, and graduate students.
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Resources
While we hope that these grants make a positive difference in the lives of students who are struggling financially due to the ongoing pandemic, we also recognize that they alone may not be enough to address students’ financial challenges. Please keep in mind that there are several ongoing services available if you are experiencing financial hardship.
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Basic Needs Peer Advising
Available in person and remotely
The Food Security and Basic Needs Advising Center (SNAC), located in the UCEN, offers in person basic needs advising, CalFresh registration assistance, immediate resources such as mask and toiletries distribution, and more. Stop in during hours of operation. Visit food.ucsb.edu to live chat with a basic needs advocate to chat about resources.
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Associated Students Food Bank
AS Food Bank provides fresh, free, and nutritious food as well as toiletries to the Gaucho community.
Currently open for brown bag and seed bank distribution on Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and Fridays, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
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Financial Crisis Response Team
When students are experiencing a financial crisis or emergency that may jeopardize their path to graduation, this team will review the student’s circumstances holistically to provide support and resource connections. Students may qualify for transitional housing, emergency grants, and meal plan scholarships to assist.
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Miramar Food Pantry
The Miramar Pantry provides free, healthy food to all qualified UCSB students to ensure Gauchos are food secure!
Serving our west campus student community, the Miramar Pantry is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
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We wish you the best as the winter quarter draws to a close.
Sincerely,
Margaret Klawunn, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Michael Miller, Ed.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services
Saúl Quiroz
Director, Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
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