CARES Act Emergency Grants

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress and signed into law to provide economic relief from COVID-19. One section of the CARES Act established the Higher Education Emergency Relief fund and sent money to schools to use for emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the pandemic.

How can the VC Cares Act Emergency Grant help me?

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, instructional materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Ventura College (VC) CARES Act Emergency Grant Guiding Ideals:

• The CARES Act's primary focus is to support students whose lives and educational pathways have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will assist students in continuing their education.
• Students must meet VC CARES Act Emergency Grant requirements, including FAFSA or CADAA completion, Title IV eligibility, and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards as established by the VCCCD.

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are intended to assist students with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, instructional materials, technology, health care, and child care).

Who is eligible for the CARES Act Emergency Grant?

Based on guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education for disbursement of CARES Act Emergency funds, students must meet basic eligibility criteria for federal financial aid (Title IV Eligibility).  Ventura College will use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) data to determine eligibility. 

• Complete your FAFSA or CADAA application for the academic year you're enrolled for.
• Complete an Emergency Relief application and electronically submit it to Ventura College Financial Aid Office. 
• You must be enrolled for Summer and/or Fall 2020
• Student enrollment may be a combination of units within the VCCCD.
• Summer 2020 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 6 units.
• Fall 2020 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 6 units.
• Spring 2021 grants will be awarded to eligible students enrolled in at least 12 units. 
• Ventura College must be the student’s Primary College.

The Financial Aid Officer and/or staff will have the discretion to award VC CARES Act  Emergency Grants to students who have received a VC Student Emergency Grant (VCSEG) or other related funding.*

*Students may only be awarded one VC CARES Act Emergency Grant per student.

Are DACA students eligible to apply for VC CARES Act Emergency Grants?

Yes! DACA students who are enrolled and impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are now eligible to apply.

Are international students eligible to apply for VC CARES Act Emergency Grants?

No. Unfortunately international students are not eligible for VC CARES Act Emergency grants.   For information about other services that may be available to international students, please contact Ellie Yoo, International Student Services Specialist, at jyoo@vcccd.edu or (805) 289-6182.

At Ventura College, the VC CARES Act Emergency Grants is a one-time payment per eligible student. The VC CARES Act Emergency Grant program has limited funding. Eligible students will be awarded grants based on enrollment as long as funds remain available.

Students enrolled in 12 or more units will be awarded $1000.

After February 1, 2021 students enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be awarded $500 (until Spring allocation is exhausted). 

If you are eligible, you will receive an email with information from the Financial Aid Office. In this email, you will see a short request form to fill out to receive this one time grant opportunity. 

VC CARES Act Emergency Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funding is exhausted.

Funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits.

Ventura College’s Plan for Distribution of VC CARES Act Emergency Grants:

• 15% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Summer 2020.
• 81% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Fall 2020.
• 4% of student allocated funds will be distributed to eligible students enrolled for Spring 2021. 

VC CARES Act Emergency Grant Distribution:

FOR SUMMER 2020:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to eligible students who are enrolled in at least 6 units by July 10, 2020. Eligible students who are enrolled in less than 6 units will be considered for the grant after July 10, 2020 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

FOR FALL 2020:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to students who are enrolled in at least 12 units by September 4, 2020. Eligible students who are enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be considered for the grant after September 4, 2020 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

FOR SPRING 2021:  VC CARES Act Emergency Grants will be awarded to students who are enrolled in at least 12 units by February 1, 2021. Eligible students who are enrolled in 6-11.75 units will be considered for the grant after February 1, 2021 (if funds have not been exhausted). Eligible students will receive an email/text with information from the Financial Aid Office.

When will VC CARES Act Emergency Grant funds be available?

Funds will be disbursed as quickly as possible in order to provide students with the support they need to continue their educational pursuits. Ventura College anticipates disbursing funds in the coming weeks.

How will VC CARES Act Emergency Grants be disbursed?

Disbursements will be sent through BankMobile. If you have not set up your disbursement method with BankMobile, your disbursement may be delayed. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu if you need assistance selecting your disbursement method with BankMobile.