Today, the White House and the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced a new, roughly $200 million grant opportunity for institutions of higher education to support students
and respond to the enduring coronavirus pandemic. ED also shared new guidance on how institutions can use new and existing federal funds for student supports,
and how to connect students with federal benefits programs.
ED underscored that the new supplemental resources, and already allocated funding provided by the American Rescue Plan,
should be focused on institutions' continuous efforts to help students succeed. The supports, resources, and guidance for students and institutions are especially encouraging, given the persistent negative impacts of the pandemic on college
access and attainment.
“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," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a press release.
$200 Million in Supplemental COVID Relief
Beginning next week, ED will welcome institutions of higher education to apply for a new grant opportunity to support COVID recovery – through a new pot of money allocated through the Supplemental Support, American Rescue Plan (SSARP) program. In the announcement, ED outlines that funding will be prioritized to community colleges and rural institutions, institutions that serve high percentages of students from low-income backgrounds, and institutions that have experienced
severe enrollment declines during the pandemic.
Colleges and universities can use the funding to respond to the ongoing pandemic, address students’ basic needs, support student persistence and completion, forgive institutional debts, and expand job-oriented programs.
ED expects to award these grants in the spring.
Supporting Students' Basic Needs
Today, ED also released new guidance on how colleges can best use new and existing federal funding to help students meet their basic needs. The guidance outlines
how supports can help students succeed and highlights effective practices that colleges are already implementing in this regard.
According to this guidance, examples of effective investments in student supports include responding to food and housing insecurity, and providing access to child care.
Connecting Students to Federal Benefits
ED is also communicating with institutions on ways to connect students with other federal benefits for which the students may qualify. By using existing data provided through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), institutions can reach
students about public benefits programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Affordable Connectivity Program – a program offering subsidies for broadband internet access.
ED is encouraging institutions to share information widely on their campuses and with all who can be helpful in outreach - such as student organizations and financial aid administrators.
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