Ruiz, Local Colleges and Universities Announce Delivery of Over $217 Million Through the American Rescue Plan

Press Release

Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced that the Department of Education has sent nearly $217 million in funding through the American Rescue Plan to colleges and universities that serve students in the 36th District. The funding will provide emergency financial aid to local students and help ensure learning returns to normal during the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, Dr. Ruiz voted in support of the American Rescue Plan to secure these critical relief funds for local students.

"The American Rescue Plan is helping get our local students safely back in the classroom and responsibly make up for lost learning time," said Dr. Ruiz. "I voted for this much-needed relief to help students in our communities learn and access the resources they need to graduate and pursue their careers. With the American Rescue Plan's bold investments, we will build back better than ever before."

"As our community takes steps toward recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, the funding from the American Response Plan will assist Palo Verde College students by providing tools and resources needed to complete their educational goals," said Vice President of Administrative Services at Palo Verde College Stephanie Slagan. "We are very grateful to Congressman Ruiz for bringing this much-needed funding to California and to Palo Verde College.

"Mt. San Jacinto College is tremendously grateful to the federal government for the millions of dollars the HEERF funds have provided to the college district in order to support our students' needs during this unprecedented challenging period in their educational journeys," said Mt. San Jacinto College Superintendent Roger Schultz. "In addition to directly supporting our students, these funds will allow for the safe transition back to campus for instruction and services to students this fall through investments in technology, as well as making our campuses safer with upgraded air circulation and filtration systems, air purification devices and other effective COVID-19 mitigation strategies, all to allow for students and staff to safely return to their classrooms and offices in order to focus on learning and their futures and not be distracted with concern over their safety."

"College of the Desert is grateful to Congressman Ruiz for his efforts in ensuring the passage of the American Rescue Plan, especially as it supports our students," said College of the Desert Superintendent Jeff Baker. "Nearly $13 million, just over half of the College's total allocation, will be distributed directly to students for financial support and emergency grants. The other portion will be used for ongoing support needed due to COVID, such as broadband accessibility, instructional supports, technology, COVID suppression and monitoring, and a myriad of other services, supplies and equipment."

"We are deeply grateful for the recently passed American Rescue Plan, which will provide urgently needed emergency financial aid to our students as a result of the pandemic," said Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales. "I would especially like to thank Congressman Raul Ruiz for his dedication and determination to help our students as well as other colleges and universities in our region."

"At UC Riverside this essential funding will be used to support students experiencing critical needs, and to support university programs affected by COVID-19 and that will positively impact our students," said University of California, Riverside Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox.

Colleges and universities that serve students in the 36th District will receive the following allocations worth over $217 million from the American Rescue Plan:

University of California, Riverside: $81.4 million
California State University, San Bernardino: $74 million
Mt. San Jacinto College: $35 million
College of the Desert: $25 million
Palo Verde College: $1.7 million
Not a single Republican Member of Congress voted for this funding that will help students access key educational resources and aid.

BACKGROUND

According to the Department of Education (ED), colleges and universities may use the funding to:

Develop emergency financial grants to support students with exceptional need: ED has released a final rule that allows institutions to provide emergency aid to all students. The American Rescue Plan requires institutions to prioritize students with exceptional need -- such as students who receive Pell Grants or undergraduates with extraordinary financial circumstances -- so that students hit-hardest by the pandemic can get the relief they need.
Help keep students on the track to graduation: Institutions can also use their funds to help retain students by providing academic or mental health support systems for students. Additionally, institutions can reengage students by discharging student debts at their institution accrued during the pandemic so students can re-enroll, continue their education, or obtain their official transcript to continue their education, transfer to another postsecondary institution, and/or secure employment.
Prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and get students and faculty vaccinated: Public and private nonprofit institutions must use a portion of their award to implement evidence-based practices to monitor and suppress coronavirus in accordance with the public health guidelines. Additionally, funds can be used to reduce barriers to vaccination, such as paid time off for staff to get the vaccine and costs associated with vaccination efforts.

Source