CARES Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Emergency Security (CARES) Act provides emergency aid to college and university students through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
Cuyamaca College received funding on May 13, 2020 and is currently processing and providing aid to students. Students can apply for CARES Act aid by completing the Cuyamaca Cares Emergency Assistance Application.

Federally Mandated CARES Act Information

Cuyamaca College has signed the Certification and Agreement by the U.S. Department of Education and provides this assurance statement that no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act will be used to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
As of May 13, 2020, Cuyamaca College has received $1,459,361 from the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to the Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.
As of June 9, 2020, Cuyamaca College has disbursed $272,500 in Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of May 26, 2020, approximately 4,000 students at Cuyamaca College are projected to be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
As of June 9, 2020, 545 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.
Methods used by Cuyamaca College to determine which students receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants and how much they would receive under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act include:
1. Cuyamaca College's existing emergency grant program offers aid to eligible students in the amount of $500.00 per term. Additionally, to ensure that available CARES Act funds could be distributed as widely as possible to students, Cuyamaca College decided to award based on our existing award amount. This award amount could be subject to change at a later date.
2. Based upon our existing Emergency Grant application process, students had to complete and submit an on-line Cuyamaca Emergency Assistance Fund application.
3. In addition to the Cuyamaca Emergency Assistance Fund application, students are required to have a valid FAFSA on file with the Cuyamaca College Financial Aid Office, be eligible for Title IV federal aid according to guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education and students must confirm that they had additional educational expenses related to the COVID-19 crisis. More detailed information on B and C above can be found on our Emergency Grants webpage.
4. CARES Act Emergency Grants awarding for students will be ongoing until funds are fully expended or if additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Education becomes more prohibitive.
Cuyamaca College communicated with students concerning Emergency Financial Aid Grants, including instructions, directions, or guidance on April 27, 2020.