COVID-19 Policy Updates

Federal Emergency Relief

Coronavirus Stimulus Packages

In March, Congress approved a $1.9 trillion supplemental coronavirus relief package. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act includes $40 billion dedicated to higher education institutions, at least half of which must be spent on emergency financial aid grants to students. The relief funds provided under the ARP Act represent the largest federal effort so far to address the crippling impact of the pandemic on colleges and universities. December's Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) combined $900 billion in COVID-19 relief with $1.4 trillion in government funding through September 2021. The CRRSAA included a $22.7 billion higher education relief fund on top of the $14 billion colleges received in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act last March. The federal stimulus measures provide critical support and funding, but fall short of the $120 billion request from the higher education community to address the unprecedented disruption and financial fallout of the pandemic.

President Biden recently unveiled a pair of sweeping proposals to overhaul the infrastructure of the country, which include significant investments in community colleges, research, and minority-serving institutions. The American Jobs Plan calls for $12 billion for community college facilities and technology as well as tens of billions of dollars for research and development facilities with a particular emphasis on research incubators at MSIs. The American Families Plan would invest $109 billion for two years of free community college and $80 billion to increase the maximum Pell Grant award, extending eligibility for both to DACA recipients, among other things. As lawmakers continue discussions on the next broad-based funding measure, AACRAO remains engaged in efforts to encourage Congress and federal agencies to continue to provide emergency relief to students and institutions during and after the COVID pandemic.

Regulatory Flexibility

Meanwhile, federal agencies have worked to provide regulatory flexibility to colleges and universities as they navigate COVID-19-related issues. The U.S. Education Department issued guidance for institutions as they close campuses and move classes online amid coronavirus concerns. The agency also extended new flexibilities for students in the form of suspended interest on and payment of federally held student loans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Immigration and Customs Enforcement have provided additional information and resources for students and institutions, as well.