January 20, 2022

US Education Department: Announces New Grants

T The US Education Department recently announced new grants under the American Rescue Plan to support colleges and universities' needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many community colleges and rural higher education institutions faced setbacks such as low enrollment, students unable to meet basic needs, to name a few. These institutions have a higher percentage of low-income students, and new grants will help solve these setbacks.

Funds will be awarded in late spring. The US.Education Department is encouraging applications in: a) Evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus. b) Strategies for addressing students’ basic needs. c) Support for students’ continued enrollment and re-enrollment. d) Forgiveness of institutional debts. e) The expansion of programs that lead to in-demand jobs.

…the resources we are announcing today will be critical to ensuring that students can persist and successfully complete their degree programs

“In speaking with students from across the country at all different types of higher education institutions, I have heard consistently that the pandemic has exacerbated challenges in meeting students’ basic needs, from housing, to food, to transportation, and more,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “We cannot let this be a barrier to student success, particularly for students who have contended with these issues for far too long. The resources we are announcing today will be critical to ensuring that students can persist and successfully complete their degree programs without having to worry about where their next meal will come from or whether they will be able to find childcare for their children,” he added.

The grant opportunity comes under the Supplemental Support under American Rescue Plan (SSARP) Program, a program dedicated to support colleges and universities with the needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department also announced nearly $5 million in grants that were awarded to six community colleges and Hispanic Serving Institutions: Montgomery College (MD), Los Angeles City College (CA), Rio Hondo College (CA), Hartnell Community College District (CA), McLennan County Junior College District (TX), and Passaic County Community College (NJ).

The announcement of a total of $198 million in American Rescue Plan Funds also comes with new guidance on how colleges can use these federal funds in the best possible way to benefit students.

Also, all public and private higher education institutions can use Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to help students access other public benefits programmes and see if they are eligible for programmes such as SNAP and the Affordable Connectivity Program.

For information on Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Institutional Portion Grant Funds under the American Rescue Plan, please visit HEERF.

Posted in News and tagged News, USA, US Education Department, Higher Education, COVID-19, Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
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