By Estefania Magdalena | Staff Writer

The University of Hawai‘i system and Kapi‘olani Community College opened its application for the distribution of funds from the federal CARES Student Emergency Aid, named “Your Share of CARES,” on Tuesday morning. 

The CARES program at the University of Hawai‘i community colleges provides emergency grants to currently enrolled students whose lives have been disrupted by the coronavirus and face financial challenges. The Federal CARES Act provides higher education institutions with emergency funds to help students affected by Covid-19. To apply, click here.

To be eligible, you must have had at least $200 of expenses related to changes in KCC or UH classes — like the purchasing of home internet, extra groceries from being home, childcare and more — since the coronavirus pandemic started.

Other necessary requirements to obtain it are being currently enrolled in one or more of the University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, submitted a FAFSA for 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 and meets the Title IV eligibility criteria, made progress Satisfactory academic and earned a classified or certified degree seeking student.

Registration to apply for “Your Share of CARES” funding is open for the Spring 2020 semester. When the application is submitted, it will be analyzed and the student will be informed if they are eligible. If eligible, a notification will be received after 5 days.

For more information, click here to apply or here for more information. Direct questions to the Kapi’olani CARES program lead via email at kapfund@hawaii.edu.

Those not eligible to apply for CARES can still apply for the UH Urgent Student Relief Fund.