Financial Security

Bridging the Gap Application

As a result of generous grants from the Auen Foundation and the H.N. & Frances C. Berger Foundation, the Bridging the Gap fund is here to help students who are struggling with uncommon financial stress to overcome and continue to persist in achieving their college goals. We know well that sometimes an unexpected circumstance or a financial burden is just enough to make it impossible for a student to finish a semester, complete a key course, or participate in a required out-of-class learning opportunity. This fund will provide financial support for up to $1,500.00 per academic year to alleviate the concerns of a financial EMERGENCY crisis that may prevent a student from continuing to attend the university.

Please note that these funds cannot be used to pay tuition.

Students are eligible for support if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be a CSUSB Palm Desert Campus full-time student during the semester in which they apply;
• Must live in the Coachella Valley;
• Must demonstrate an emergency financial hardship;
• Must be in good academic standing; and
• Must have met with a PDC financial aid advisor to discuss all other financial aid options.

CSUSB is committed to maintaining an inclusive community that values diversity and fosters tolerance and mutual respect. It is CSUSB's policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, and veteran status.
 

PDC Bridging the Gap Application

Update: January, 10, 2023

Funding for this grant has been exhausted and we are no longer accepting applications at this time. 

California Emergency Grant 

The State of California has provisioned funding to the CSU’s for campuses to provide students relief from economic fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have experienced a financial hardship we encourage you to apply for Emergency Grant Funding.

California Emergency Grant Eligibility

To be eligible a student must meet the following conditions:

• Enrolled in 6 units, or more
• Demonstrate emergency financial need, including loss of employment
• Be undergraduate student  and federal Pell Grant eligible for 2022-2023. 
• Based on your financial aid application have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) between 0 and 5,486 and the applicant must have unmet need within their 2022-2023 financial aid award.
• Have either
  • GPA of 2.0 in one of the previous 3 semesters at CSUSB or prior institution or 
  • Student is disabled and receiving additional support or services through campus program for disabled students

If you have a demonstrated emergency financial need you are encouraged to complete the Emergency Grant Application and provide supporting documentation for your emergency situation.

Processing time is approximately 3-4 weeks and may be delayed if sufficient documentation is not provided. Please read through the application carefully and answer each question with as much detail as possible. 

The amount of award may be no more than the documented emergency – and in many cases may only cover a portion of the request.

The California Emergency Grant fund must be coordinated with other financial aid and therefore, may impact the amount of funds approved. 

Update: May 22, 2023

Funding for this grant has been exhausted and we are no longer accepting applications at this time. 

COVID-19 Emergency Grants

The COVID-19 Emergency Grant was established to assist CSUSB students experiencing unexpected urgent financial need in response to COVID-19 to support their wellbeing by removing financial barriers that would otherwise prevent their participation in instruction, and ultimately, retention and degree completion. This grant provides eligible students with one-time financial assistance up to $300. Grant funds are meant to address temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances resulting from the impact of COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Emergency Grant is sponsored by the CSUSB CARE Team and Basic Needs, and made possible through the generous support of donors through a campaign sponsored by the CSUSB Philanthropic Fund and University Advancement.

Members of the CARE Team serving on the COVID-19 Grant Subcommittee will review grant requests and make determinations on a first-come, first-served basis.

Students who also submit a request to other Basic Needs Emergency Grant programs may not submit funding requests for identical expenses (receipts), but may submit requests for different expenses. The Committee will give consideration to those with multiple requests in determining award amounts.

The COVID-19 Emergency Grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.

Citizenship status does not affect eligibility for this grant.

COVID-19 Student Emergency Support Fund

This fund will provide emergency financial support to students during the COVID-19 crisis. Financial assistance will be awarded on the basis of need to help pay for temporary housing costs, essential household utilities (e.g., electricity, internet, and gas), medications or prescriptions, costs related to emergency medical care, hospitalization, or illness, and other vital student needs.

Emergency grants for housing assistance and academic retention may exceed $300 on a case-by-case basis, depending on individual circumstances.

Requirements:

• Must be a currently enrolled CSUSB undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
• Must be able to specifically document the nature of the economic crisis and the urgent financial situation (supporting documentation required; e.g. job termination letter, medical bills, eviction notice, change in living situation due to family illness or risk of exposure, etc.)

Below are a few examples to assist you in determining if you may qualify for the COVID-19 Emergency Grant program:

• Unexpected economic challenges that can be directly attributed to COVID-19
• Job or income loss due to COVID-19, or dependent of family member(s) who lost jobs or income due to COVID-19
• Homelessness, displacement, or unsafe living conditions in current residence due to COVID-19
• Inability to pay bills or other expenses due to loss of expected income due to COVID-19
• Unexpected expenses due to the transition to online instruction, such as needing to buy books or technology that were previously accessed via the library or computer labs
• Travel home for illness or death in the immediate family
• Uninsured medical emergency, or if insured, inability to cover co-pay or cost of prescriptions due to changes in circumstance due to COVID-19

Examples of Expenses Not Eligible for the COVID-19 Emergency Grant:

• Legal representation
• Loss of income covered by unemployment benefits
• Parking tickets
• Entertainment, recreation or other non-essential expense
• Expenses already submitted for funding through another Emergency Grant program

Requests for an exception for any of these expenses will be considered only if there is a compelling reason for consideration due to COVID-19.

Basic Need Emergency Grant

The Basic Needs Emergency Grant Program was established to assist CSUSB students experiencing unexpected urgent financial need by removing financial roadblocks to degree completion and well-being. This grant provides eligible students with one-time financial assistance up to $500. Grant funds are meant to address temporary financial hardship due to unforeseen life events. Emergency grants for housing assistance and academic retention may exceed $500 on a case-by-case basis depending on individual circumstances.

The Emergency Grant Program is sponsored by CSUSB Basic Needs and made possible through the generous support of donors, funding from the State of California and Philanthropic Donations. 

The Basic Needs Emergency Grant is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. 

Citizenship status does not affect eligibility for this grant.

Summer enrollment is required for all applications received before August 15, 2023. 

Requirements:

• Must be a currently enrolled CSUSB undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
• Must be able to specifically document the nature of the economic crisis and the urgent financial situation (supporting documentation required; e.g. car repair estimate, police reports, medical bills, eviction notice, utility disconnection notice, etc.)
• If requested, must meet with the Basic Needs Coordinator or CARE Case Manager to develop and implement a mutually agreed upon action plan to improve financial sustainability. 

Below are a few examples to assist you in determining if you may qualify for the Basic Needs Emergency Grant program.

• Unexpected economic challenges due to loss of income
• Travel home for illness or death in the immediate family
• Homelessness or displacement due to an unforeseen event or unsafe living conditions
• Documented theft of books and other essential academic belongings
• Uninsured dental or medical emergency
• Loss of Transportation, car accident or unforeseen car repairs

Examples of Expenses Not Eligible for the Basic Needs Emergency Grant:

• Legal representation
• Loss of income covered by unemployment benefits
• Credit Card or Student Loan Debt
• Parking or traffic tickets
• Entertainment, recreation or other non-essential expense
• Expenses already submitted for funding through another Emergency Grant program
• Expected or planned expenses:
  • Permanent Housing (i.e. expenses related to your student housing contract)
  • Tuition
  • DMV renewals

Requests for the above expected expenses will only be considered if payments could not be made due to unforeseen/unexpected urgent and/or catastrophic events which has caused a redirection of resources.

Basic Needs Emergency Grant Application