May 4, 2020

Dear CSU Students –

I know we send you many email messages every week. Please read this one; it contains important information that could help you and your family financially, and it is time-sensitive.

Starting this morning, you will find a link to our CARES Act Emergency Aid Application in the Notifications section of your RAMweb homepage. If you have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-2020 academic year, you may be eligible for additional aid through this application. Check out the following details about these funds.

CSU has been granted $8.8 million in emergency grant funding that will be directly allocated to students in need. This money comes from the federal CARES Act and is intended to help cover expenses you may have incurred as the direct result of the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Awards will range from $500-$1,500 per student, based on the financial need you demonstrate in your application. If you are awarded a CARES grant, the money will be sent directly to you, bypassing any existing balance you may have with CSU. You can opt to receive the funds via direct deposit or mailed check; simply update your refund preference on the billing page of your RAMweb. We have further been informed that this will be a very fast process: you should receive a decision regarding your award status within five days of submitting your application, and if you are approved for a grant the money will be sent immediately.

Please note that although our Office of Financial Aid is administering the CARES Act money allocated to CSU, the federal government has also put some limitations on who is eligible for CARES Act Emergency Aid. You must have a FAFSA on file with CSU to receive a grant and your application must demonstrate financial need. If it is determined that you do not qualify for CARES Act Emergency Aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss other options for assistance.

Again, if you think you might qualify for these funds, go to RAMweb, click in the notifications section, and fill out the CARES Act Emergency Aid Application.

If you have further questions or concerns about the CARES Act Emergency Aid Application or other aspects of your financial situation as a CSU student, please contact the Office of Financial Aid directly at financialaid@colostate.edu or visit financialaid.colostate.edu.

Stay Well.

Joyce