Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CFF grant?
The CFF grant is not need-based. All UCSB undergraduate students are welcome to apply. Each student applicant is eligible for the maximum allocation of $200 one time per fiscal year (from July 1st-June 30th). There will be a quarterly cap on funds distributed to ensure students applying later in the year have the same access to the grant as students who apply at the beginning of the year. Grant distribution is based on whether the student has fulfilled the Checklist Requirements.
Will my AB540 or undocumented status inhibit my ability to receive this grant?
How many students are able to receive the grant?
Currently, the fund has a total of $200,000.00 allocated for grants for the 20-21 Fiscal Year which began July 1, 2021 and will last until June 30, 2022. This means that if every student receives the maximum of $200, we would be able to potentially serve about 1000 undergraduate students.
How do the grants work (how are the recipients chosen)?
The recipients are chosen based off the grant Checklist Requirement completion and Financial Aid eligibility.
Grants are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and it is very important to follow the essay formatting guidelines explicitly. Also, if students do not pass the financial literacy workshop with a 70% or better, this will further delay the application process, as students will need to re-attend the workshop and complete another quiz with a satisfactory score.
The Grant program must also comply with federal regulations, and each PERM is checked by the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to ensure the grant is within each person’s award package if you filed a FAFSA. Students are notified within 30 business days with the results of the review and whether they will be receiving the grant. If you do not have any federal funding, we will still verify the PERM number and then process the check accordingly.
If I do receive the grant will that interfere with me obtaining other grants?
If you’re a Financial Aid recipient, all additional assistance outside the financial aid award letter must be reviewed by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Depending on how much of this grant contributes to your need-based funds, it may affect your ability to have room for other grants. Further, if your financial aid package is already full with pre-existing grants, then you do not have room for the CFF grant. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will let us know if this issue applies to you. You can also check your aid package before applying for the CFF grant.
How is the grant distributed?
**DUE TO COVID-19, you now have the option to choose to have your check mailed to the address you provide in your application on Fluxx or to pick a physical check up from the AS Ticket and Cashier’s Office. Direct deposit is not available.**
What is the nature of this program?
Part of the Community Financial Fund’s mission aims to provide more access to grants on the UCSB campus. These grants are open to the entire undergraduate student body, and provide students experiencing financial difficulties with an additional financial resource on campus. Working in conjunction with the financial literacy workshops, overall we aim to create a more financially conscious UCSB Undergraduate student body.
Does the decision of whether I will receive the grant depend on my GPA?
No. The Grant is only dependent on completion of the checklist requirements and Financial Aid verification.
Will I qualify if I am a 4th year or someone who is returning for part of a 5th year during summer and fall quarter?
As long as you are a registered undergraduate student at UCSB at the time your application is submitted, you are eligible for the grant.
Will it affect any financial aid I will receive next year?
The grant you received during the 20-21 fiscal year will not affect your Financial Aid package for the 21-22 fiscal year. If you apply for the CFF grant again during the 21-22 academic year, your Financial Aid award letter may have to be adjusted. It depends on each person’s financial aid award.
What can I use the grant money for?
When you receive your grant check, you will sign a form stating that you will use the grant for the purposes you stated in your grant essay. Furthermore, you attest that you are the sole individual utilizing the funds.
A recurring question in our financial literacy workshop is about the Federal Student Loan interest rates. Below is the pertinent information.
Undergraduate Direct Subsidized Loans and Direct Unsubsidized Loans (also referred to as Stafford Loans) will have a 3.73% interest rate. This interest rate applies to all loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2021 and before July 1, 2022.
Remember your monthly payment will depend on the type of repayment you choose, and your income level. Note these interest rates are only applicable for FEDERAL Student Loans.
For more information please visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/loans/interest-rate