COVID 19 Communications

Dear Students,

JSU is pleased to announce the availability of Cocky CARES grants to provide financial assistance to eligible students during this difficult time. The federal government has awarded special aid to universities through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, which is part of the Coronavirus Assistance, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. JSU will distribute its share of the student funding in a way that prioritizes students with the greatest demonstrated need and ensures that funds are distributed as widely as possible.

According to federal guidelines, to be eligible for this aid, students must have been enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate program in the Spring 2020 semester and must have been eligible for Title IV funds for the Spring 2020 semester. International students and students enrolled in fully online, dual enrollment, transient, or non-degree seeking programs are not eligible for funding.

The Cocky CARES grants do not have to be paid back and will be awarded as follows:

Phase I Cocky CARES Grants
Phase I Cocky CARES grants do not require an application, but do require acknowledgement by the student. Several thousand eligible JSU students have already been selected to receive this grant funding, based on the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) reported on their 2019-2020 FAFSA. The amount of this award varies from student to student, depending on the EFC. Students eligible for these funds will receive an email notification from the university by the end of this week. If selected to receive the funds in Phase I, students must follow the directions in the email notification to complete an acknowledgment form before funds can be distributed. Once this form has been received, students can expect funds to be disbursed within 2-3 weeks. Students must accept these funds by August 1, 2020 or lose eligibility of the Phase I funds.

Phase II Cocky CARES Grants
Phase II Cocky CARES grants require an application. Any eligible students (as listed above) experiencing financial hardships that were the direct result of the disruption of campus operations due to the national COVID-19 pandemic may apply for assistance based on financial need and documentation (until funds are exhausted). Applications are available on MyJSU, under “Featured Links.” Students can expect funds to be disbursed within 3-4 weeks, if the application is approved. Eligible students who received Phase I Cocky CARES grants may also apply for Phase II Cocky CARES grants, but must complete an application and provide documentation outlining the need for additional funds.

For more information, including a list of frequently asked questions, please visit the Cocky CARES website. If you have questions not covered in the FAQs, please email cockycares@jsu.edu.

Sincerely,

Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr.
Acting President

Jacksonville State University is launching the Cocky CARES emergency aid program. Using the federal funding provided by the Department of Education through the CARES Act, this program will assist students who have experienced, or are experiencing, financial challenges as a result of the disruption of campus operations caused by COVID-19. The CARES Act funding is intended to assist students with expenses related to course materials, technology, food, housing, health care, and childcare.

You have been identified as a recipient of the Cocky CARES emergency grant funding.

Following the guidance provided by the Department of Education, JSU has identified students eligible for Cocky CARES emergency aid funding. To ensure JSU provides funding to the students with the greatest financial need and to as many students as possible, JSU will distribute the funds using a tiered approach that factor in a student's financial need, student level, and enrollment.

How to Receive Your Emergency Grant Funding:

Follow the instructions below to confirm your acceptance of your emergency grant funding. This step must be completed for the funds to be released to you. The deadline to confirm your acceptance of these funds August 1, 2020. If you have not accepted by the deadline, your funds will be reallocated to another student. We hope this funding will assist you during this challenging time. JSU is committed to helping to helping you with your needs so that you may continue your education. You Matter, Gamecocks!

1. Sign in to your MyJSU account
2. Review your "Featured Links" for "Cocky CARES Phase I"
3. Select "Student Acceptance of Emergency Grant Aid"
4. Follow the instructions provided on the form
5. Provide your electronic signature in the box provided
6. Press "Submit" once you have signed and confirmed all information

Please note that you do not have to complete "Cocky CARES Phase II: Cocky CARES Emergency Grant Aid Application" to receive your funding.

For questions regarding your payment (either direct deposit or check), please contact the Office of Student Accounts at https://www.jsu.edu/bursar/contact.html.
For questions regarding your Cocky CARES emergency grant funding, please contact cockycares@jsu.edu. Be sure to include your JSU ID number in all correspondence.
Please visit https://www.jsu.edu/coronavirus/cockycares/ for eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions.