AREA UNIVERSITIES TO RECEIVE MILLIONS IN RELIEF FUNDING FROM CARES ACT

  

Tens of millions of dollars in federal relief funding are being made available to several local colleges and universities.

Today (Tuesday), Texas Senator John Cornyn announced federal grants will be distributed through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Texas A&M University will receive over $39 million in aid, while Blinn College will receive $14 million.  Sam Houston State University will receive $17 million, and Prairie View A&M University will receive $13.7 million.

At least half of each grant must go toward providing students with emergency financial aid to help them cover costs from the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.  Each institution will be allowed to decide how assistance will be awarded to students.

More than $1 billion of the $14 billion available from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was awarded to Texas colleges, universities, and higher education institutions.

In his announcement, Cornyn said the economic effects of COVID-19 should not cause Texans to have to give up their education.  He said, in addition to allowing students to defer their federal student loan payments for six months, the CARES Act provides “targeted funding to Texas institutions to help students continue their education – even if that means taking classes online”.

You can see the full breakdown of schools and the assistance they are receiving here.