Posted6/1/2021 5:30 AM
Suburban community colleges set to receive millions of dollars more in federal COVID-19 relief funding in the coming months are stepping up efforts to help students in need with tuition costs and other expenses, as well as using the money to mitigate the pandemic s impact on their budgets.
The American Rescue Plan authorized in March provides more than $36 billion in emergency grants, including $10 billion to community colleges, $2.6 billion to historically Black colleges and universities, and $6 billion to Hispanic- and other minority-serving institutions. Illinois share is about $1.26 billion.
Public and private colleges and universities can use the funds to support students with exceptional needs, including unexpected expenses, such as job loss, food or housing insecurity and transportation, provide academic or mental health supports, discharge debts, and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.