Emergency Grants for Students Are On Their Way

Date: 3/25/21
From: Student Affairs
Subject: Emergency Grants for Students Are On Their Way

Dear Cal Poly Pomona Students,
 
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, included federal funds for emergency grants to college students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II). These grant funds are intended to provide emergency financial support to students and may be used for any component of the student’s cost of attendance or for emergency costs that arise due to the coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health care) or childcare. Cal Poly Pomona received our portion of funding to support student grants — totaling $15.5 million – on March 15. We expedited the process for distributing these funds and will be able to start disbursing the money to students starting in early April. 
 
All recipients will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships announcing the grant amount and whether any additional steps are necessary to claim the funds. All undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and teaching credential students eligible to receive federal financial aid may be considered for the grants. These grants do not need to be repaid and are not subject to taxation based on Cal Poly Pomona’s distribution model. 
 
The U.S. Department of Education reiterated stipulations that international and undocumented students (including those under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) are not eligible to receive these grants. As we did with the last round of grants, we are actively exploring other sources of institutional funding to support these students. 
 
You can find full details on the grants at www.cpp.edu/safer-return/heerf/crrsaa/index.shtml and questions can be directed to covidgrants@cpp.edu.
 
Cal Poly Pomona is here for you, and we want to support you in any way we can. I invite you to take advantage of the full range of resources available to students. Please stay safe over spring break and continue to take the steps necessary to protect yourself, each other and our communities.
 
Sincerely,
 
Christina Gonzales
Vice President for Student Affairs