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Alex Edelman/AFP via Getty Images
Coronavirus Relief Package Offers Up More Than $30 Billion For Education
By Elissa Nadworny & Anya Kamenetz
March 26, 2020
The U.S. Senate's $2 trillion coronavirus relief package includes more
than $30 billion for education, with more than $14 billion for colleges
and universities and at least $13.5 billion for the nation's K-12
schools.
Help for K-12 will come, in part, from what's called the Education
Stabilization Fund. Part of this money is meant for protecting jobs and
paying staff while school is out of session. It can also be used to pay
for Internet-connected devices and equipment for districts moving to
remote learning. But lawmakers chose not to expand dedicated funding
for technology through the federal E-Rate Program, as some in the
Senate had called for.
Many school districts have already sprung into action to continue
feeding students while their doors are closed. The Senate bill aims to
support those efforts with $8.8 billion for child nutrition programs.
In addition to the money, the bill gives Education Secretary Betsy
DeVos new power to grant states waivers from various federal education
laws and regulations, including testing and accountability.
The rescue package also includes help for colleges and universities,
many of which are facing an economic downward spiral after emptying
their dorms, moving classes online or in some cases shutting down
altogether. Many schools have already refunded part of tuition fees and
room and board costs for students. And colleges are pressed to continue
paying staff while funding the often costly transition to online
learning.
Higher education leaders worry the more than $14 billion lawmakers put
aside won't be enough to save many small schools with low endowments
from closing — it's a far cry from the $50 billion those leaders asked
for earlier this month. This comes at a time when colleges were already
feeling the crunch of low-enrollment and deflated state funding.
The Senate bill puts federal student loan payments on hold and uses a
funding formula that gives schools with large numbers of Pell Grant
recipients more money.
The House is expected to take up the package on Friday. (Ed. Note: The House Passed the bill)
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