Providing UCF Students Financial Relief

UCF is so proud of the way our students have adapted to learning and studying in new ways, but we recognize that COVID-19 has also led to financial hardships for many.

That’s why we are happy to share that thanks to federal funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or “CARES” Act, UCF will soon distribute more than $25 million in aid to our eligible students who need it most.

This is an important step in helping eligible students overcome the challenges posed by the pandemic and continue on their paths to academic and career success. The funds are designed to assist with expenses for undergraduate, graduate, and MD students related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19, such as housing, food, course materials, technology, health care, and child care.

Students can apply for the aid here: https://tinyurl.com/UCF-CARES-ACT-Funding (opens in a new tab). The application window will be open through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, May 19.

Note that students must have submitted a 2019-2020 FAFSA or must submit a FAFSA application (opens in a new tab) in order to be eligible for the funding. The federal legislation requires that students be degree-seeking, enrolled in the term for which they are seeking assistance, and U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens in order to be eligible for the emergency funding. Additionally, UCF Online students are not eligible.

All applications will be considered, but UCF’s focus is on helping eligible students with the most urgent needs. For example, students who have had difficulty paying off-campus rent or who had to purchase equipment to complete their courses online will be prioritized over students who received housing or dining refunds.

Due to the anticipated high volume of applications and the process of reviewing applications, we expect that it will be 3-4 weeks before students will receive the money.

We hope that knowing that support could be coming offers some sense of relief.

For frequently asked questions and more information, visit www.ucf.edu/coronavirus/faq.

Remember, UCF cares. We’re all in this together.