What’s the best way to get federal coronavirus aid to college students? – Education Dive
Congress gave institutions wide latitude to distribute money from the CARES Act. Experts suggest eliminating red tape for students so they get the funds quickly.
Across the country, the coronavirus has shattered college students’ livelihoods. Most of those who lived on campus were forced to evacuate dorms. Some students, especially those without adequate internet access, were hamstrung with a hectic shift to online instruction. Students and their families lost jobs, which could prove financially ruinous to those who were already strained.
Congress recognized these challenges when it passed the most recent coronavirus stimulus package, earmarking more than $6 billion of aid for colleges to give directly to students. The amount each college gets is determined by how many full-time students it enrolls and the share of those students who receive Pell Grants. The U.S. Department of Education said institutions could claim the money immediately, though higher ed groups say a lack of direction from the department has slowed its delivery.