U.S. Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton--along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman--announced an additional round of coronavirus relief funding for Arkansas's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and institutions serving low-income students to help ensure learning continues during the coronavirus crisis.
The funds--totaling $14,573,384--come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which became law with the support of the Arkansas congressional delegation. It is part of nearly $1.4 billion in additional funding the Department of Education has directed to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) nationwide, which is provided on top of the money previously allocated in the first round.
Institutions may use this funding to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students and training for faculty and staff. Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses and payroll.
"The Department of Education quickly awarded CARES Act funding to higher education institutions across the state to aid students impacted during this crisis. This additional funding recognizes the unique challenges facing HBCUs and institutions serving low-income students. These institutions play a vital role in transforming lives and make Arkansas's communities stronger," the delegation said.
The following Arkansas colleges and universities will receive funding from this second round of grants:
Arkansas Baptist College
Arkansas State University Mid-South
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Arkansas State University-Main Campus
Arkansas State University-Mountain Home
Arkansas State University-Newport
Arkansas Tech University
Baptist Health College Little Rock
Black River Technical College
Central Baptist College
College of the Ouachitas
Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas
Crowley's Ridge College
Ecclesia College
Henderson State University
Jefferson Regional Medical Center School of Nursing
Lyon College
National Park College
North Arkansas College
Northwest Arkansas Community College
Ozarka College
Philander Smith College
Shorter College
South Arkansas Community College
Southeast Arkansas College
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Southern Arkansas University Tech
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
University of Arkansas Community College Rich Mountain
University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville
University of Arkansas Community College-Hope
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College
University of Central Arkansas
University of the Ozarks
Williams Baptist University
$1,032,491
$58,470
$105,358
$453,949
$51,525
$62,669
$347,304
$42,634
$79,483
$39,980
$32,853
$48,991
$12,859
$7,225
$183,000
$6,902
$33,170
$110,925
$70,212
$154,367
$38,678
$2,383,058
$1,211,947
$52,217
$74,688
$196,019
$38,543
$293,078
$156,801
$5,863,687
$26,516
$50,042
$56,215
$90,375
$268,669
$293,123
$470,493
$49,113
$25,755
Arkansas colleges and universities received over $100 million in the first round of emergency grants to support postsecondary students and institutes of higher education impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In total, the CARES Act provides nearly $14 billion to support postsecondary students and institutions nationwide.