The US Department of Education announced last Thursday that it will be sending historically Black colleges and universities and minority serving institutions an additional $3.2 billion in pandemic relief grants.
Most of the funding comes from the American Rescue Plan, signed into law in March. Historically Black colleges and universities will receive $1.6 billion, and tribal colleges and universities will receive $143 million. Another $1.19 billion will be available for other minority-serving institutions, as well as underresourced institutions eligible for the Strengthening Institutions program.
“These institutions have a long history of serving our students -- particularly students of color, first-generation college students, and other students who are underrepresented in higher education -- and the Department stands ready to support them so they can expand their vital services,” said Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a release.
A total of 1,800 institutions and their students are expected to benefit from the billions in additional funding. FAMU recently used $16 million in federal American Rescue Plan and CARES ACT funds to clear the outstanding balances of students.