Jayapal Announces More Than $171 Million for Seattle-Area Colleges, Universities, and Students
Robust relief from the American Rescue Plan goes to colleges and universities across Washington with at least half of the funding being distributed to students as emergency financial aid
SEATTLE — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) announced today that colleges, universities, and students throughout the Seattle area will receive more than $171 million in emergency higher education funding thanks to the American Rescue Plan, the robust relief package that Congressional Democrats passed and President Joe Biden signed into law back in March. At least half of the funding that each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants for students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship.
“I am deeply proud to have fought for a bold relief package that puts money in people’s pockets, shots in their arms, and assistance directly into our local communities,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “The American Rescue Plan is making a historic investment in helping our local colleges, universities, and students safely recover from this public health and economic crisis because their success is critical to our region’s success. This aid will ensure that students have the resources and support they need to keep their education on track while also assisting our local schools in the days, weeks, and months ahead.”
The following colleges and universities in the Seattle area are receiving funding thanks to the American Rescue Plan:
- The University of Washington: $106,298,240
- Seattle Central College: $11,769,235
- Edmonds Community College: $10,567,140
- Seattle University: $10,254,913
- Shoreline Community College: $8,178,973
- North Seattle College: $6,775,770
- South Seattle College: $6,649,707
- City University of Seattle: $1,791,938
- Cornish College of the Arts: $1,613,082
“This relief package is critical as students and their families continue to navigate the uncertainty and financial strain brought about by the COVID pandemic. We appreciate the federal government’s recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on not only the UW and our students, but on students, colleges and universities around the state,” said University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce. “As we did with previous relief funds, we’ll continue to prioritize combatting the coronavirus as well as supporting students with emergency financial aid and help with housing and food needs. We also appreciate that this relief package allows us to support our DACA students, eliminating the need for us to find alternative sources to help these members of our community.”
“These funds will ensure that our students — especially those hit hard by the pandemic — are able to enroll, continue their courses, and graduate,” said Seattle Colleges Chancellor Shouan Pan. “The pursuit of higher education has been a stabilizing and reassuring force for many students. These funds will allow us to expand opportunities to those who need it most.”
The more than $171 million in aid will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic and continue safely serving their students. Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant.
The American Rescue Plan provided $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide. No Republicans voted for the legislation that also includes nearly $3 billion in additional funding — which will be distributed at a later date — for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), other Minority-Serving Institutions, and other under-resourced institutions.
For a full list of colleges and universities receiving funding, click here.
To read more about what is in the American Rescue Plan, click here.
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Issues: Arts & Education