Some Fresno City College students will begin seeing some extra cash in their bank accounts as part of the federal coronavirus relief effort, but it’s not all good news.

Fresno City College will be able to help about 8,000 students. That’s about half the number of students they originally thought before the government changed the guidelines on who was eligible, college President Carole Goldsmith said in an online update Friday.

Disbursement dates begin May 14. Students who are eligible should have received an email with their amount.

Goldsmith also said school officials are working on ways to get aid to students who were cut out of the CARES funding.

The grants are based on financial need. Only students who have filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — known as FAFSA — are eligible, which bars undocumented, international and other students from the funds.

When students filled out the form before the school year began, they received an expected family contribution number or an EFC. The amount of cash a student will receive is based on this number.

Students with an EFC of $5,576 or less

Full time: $600

Three-quarter time: $450

Half time: $300

Less than half time: $175

EFC between $5,577 and $30,000

Full time: $350

Three-quarters time: $300

Half time: $250

Less than half time: $150

Students with an EFC of more than $30,000 will get $150 regardless of units.

Students do not need to apply for these grants, and the money will be distributed the same way students receive their financial aid.

When President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in late March, about $6 billion was earmarked for direct relief grants for college students, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Each college was entrusted with distributing its funds to students while following specific guidelines.

Fresno City College received $5.6 million to give to students.

Fresno City College also released a distribution plan on April 23, but as federal guidelines changed, the plan had to be reworked to exclude ineligible students.

The Education Lab is a local journalism initiative that highlights education issues critical to the advancement of the San Joaquin Valley. It is funded by donors. Learn about The Bee’s Education Lab on our website.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 5:25 PM.