Four California public universities lost out on $47 million in federal Covid relief, audit finds

Four California public universities lost out on $47 million combined in federal Covid relief dollars by failing to apply for the money, according to a state audit reported on by CalMatters. 

“As a result, some students may have missed out on support services and equipment during what has been an unprecedented disruption in schooling worldwide,” the nonprofit news organization reported

Chico State, Cal State Long Beach, UC Merced and UC San Diego all missed out on money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, according to the state auditor.

“Of six University of California and Cal State University campuses audited, four used Department of Education funding for expenses where they should have asked FEMA for reimbursement,” CalMatters reported.

The 66-page audit found the schools may still be able to claim at least some of the money by applying for it now.