Seattle City Wire

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Seattle) announced that colleges, universities and students throughout the Seattle area will receive more than $171 million in emergency higher education funding as part of the American Rescue Plan.

A press release from Jayapal's website said at least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed as emergency cash assistance grants for students facing hunger, homelessness and other issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm proud to have fought for the American Rescue Plan — putting money in pockets, shots in arms and assistance directly into our local communities. This is a historic investment to ensure that students and schools have the resources and support they need," Jayapal wrote in a May 12 tweet.

U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal | Jayapal.house.gov

Jayapal said the plan will allow for students to find help and ensure they are able to succeed, which she sees as critical for their futures. 

“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," Jayapal said in the press release.

Seattle Colleges Chancellor Shouan Pan said the funds will allow students to continue to enroll in higher education institutes and continue their courses until graduation. University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce echoed similar sentiments.

“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,” Cauce said in the press release. “As we did with previous relief funds, we’ll continue to prioritize combating 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 (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students, eliminating the need for us to find alternative sources to help these members of our community.”

According to the release, $171 million in aid will be directed to helping local institutions cope with the financial fallout that has been caused by COVID-19.

The American Rescue Plan has provided $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide, despite not finding any support from Republican lawmakers. 

Students may contact their colleges or universities for more information about how to apply for the grants. A full list of schools receiving funds is available here.