Kentucky colleges and universities are set to receive more than $156 million in emergency cash relief from the U.S. Department of Education, according to a Friday press release from U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). The funds are earmarked for supporting students and institutions during the coronavirus outbreak.
The funding is available as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed in March. The bipartisan CARES Act, the biggest rescue package in history, passed with a 96 to 0 vote and was signed into law by President Donald Trump. As a result of the CARES Act, Kentucky will receive at least $1.25 billion in relief.
“Kentucky’s students are facing particularly difficult challenges during the coronavirus crisis, and I’m proud the CARES Act is delivering immediate cash relief to those in need,” McConnell said in a statement. “Colleges and universities made the tough decisions to cancel in-person classes to protect the health of their communities, causing substantial disruption in the lives of students. Many of these students needed our help, and this urgent grant funding can provide vital support to help them make it through this crisis.”
The U.S. Department of Education said the emergency financial aid may be used by students for course materials, technology, housing, food, healthcare and childcare costs. The funding announced Friday is the first distribution of nearly $31 billion in education-related aid included in the CARES Act.
Kentucky has received nearly $200 million to address urgent housing, transportation, healthcare and economic development priorities from the CARES Act, as well.
The Western Kentucky colleges and universities set to receive funding from the CARES Act include:
- Henderson Community College $806,658
- Hopkinsville Community College $1.4 million
- Madisonville Community College $1 million
- Murray State University $6.3 million
- Owensboro Community and Technical College $1.8 million
- West Kentucky Community and Technical College $2.4 million
- Western Kentucky University $10.6 million
The full list of colleges and universities set to receive funding may be viewed here.
Rachel’s interest in journalism began early in life, reading newspapers while sitting in the laps of her grandparents. Those interactions ignited a thirst for language and stories, and she recalls getting caught more than once as a young girl hiding under the bed covers with a flashlight and book because she just couldn’t stop reading. That passion led her to Murray State University where she completed an undergrad as an English major before pursuing a career in journalism. Rachel recalled listening exclusively to NPR as a college student, dreaming of earning her spot among the ranks of the journalists she admired. She realized that dream when she joined the WKMS team as news director in February 2020.
