Things were getting tough for Kristen Moreno even before the coronavirus pandemic hit and she lost both of her part-time jobs.
She had moved out of her parents’ house into an apartment in Hawthorne but was still going back to Lomita frequently to help her 64-year-old father, who is partially paralyzed after a stroke. The psychology major also takes 12 units at Cal State Fullerton and works on the research project she’s doing as a McNair Scholar.
Moreno remembers her orientation at CSUF, where she was told about all the resources that were available. But until the pandemic, she said she wasn’t comfortable asking for help.
A couple weeks ago she did reach out for those resources, applying for and getting a $500 emergency grant from the university to help pay rent.
“I was thankful for that,” the 27-year-old said.
A total of 2,294 students at CSUF received $10.6 million in emergency State University Grant funds in March and April to help them cope with the effects of the pandemic, said Harry Le Grande, vice president of student affairs. And soon, the university will be able to help even more students with about $20.5 million from the federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act.
Close to 28,000 students have completed the FAFSA federal form that is required for the aid, Le Grande said. About 90 percent of the funding will be distributed automatically, he said, depending on eligibility and need.
“We know students are struggling as a result of this pandemic,” Le Grande said in a statement. “It’s stressful and many students have trouble making ends meet, especially if they have become unemployed as a result of business closures, having to move home, or take on additional responsibilities at home such as child care.
“We certainly don’t want students to fall behind or worse, drop out of school, because of financial pressures,” he added. “We’re hopeful that this may alleviate some of the financial pressures our students face.”
The university is in the process of reviewing requirements from the federal Department of Education and the California State University Chancellor’s Office that are tied to the funding. Le Grande said about 10 percent of the funding will be set aside to make it available for students who file late for FAFSA or have specific needs for additional resources.
The Department of Education has excluded DACA students, undocumented students and international students from receiving CARE Act funds — the emergency aid is limited to Title IV (federal aid) eligible students, Le Grande said. Officials plan to direct the excluded students to the Dean of Students Office and/or the Titan Dreamers Resource Center to access other campus resources, he said.
CSUF students in need of help with food and financial assistance can also contact Tuffy’s Basic Needs Service Center.
Tuffy’s can recommend that students in need of food and living nearby can go to the Gastronome, the campus dining facility that is still operating on limited hours. Or they can be referred to community resources such as food banks, CalFresh services or the 211 website for more assistance.
Students in need of financial assistance can apply for an emergency grant for up to $500. The grants are available after all other sources of financial assistance have been exhausted and can’t be used for tuition, student fees, unpaid university debt or to reimburse paid expenses, according to the center’s website.
Tuffy’s is still making hygiene products, such as shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss and washcloths available at the Student Health and Counseling Center between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, go to Tuffy’s Basic Needs website at www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/tuffys_basic_needs
