Oregon’s colleges and universities will get $400 million from the American Rescue Plan. The U.S. Department of Education announced the distribution this week.
The money goes to both public and private institutions. It’s meant to help schools recover from losses suffered during the coronavirus pandemic. At least half of the money that each college or university receives must go to emergency cash grants to students who are facing challenging financial circumstances.
In Oregon, 46 higher education institutions are receiving funds from the bill, which President Biden signed into law in March.
The largest single American Rescue Plan grant in Oregon is going to Portland Community College, which is getting $54.3 million. On the opposite end, the smallest grant in Oregon is $32,847. It’s going to a theatre school in Portland called the Actors Conservatory.
Here are some additional grant amounts under the American Rescue Plan:
- University of Oregon: $42,815,719
- Oregon State University: $46,096,991
- Lane Community College: $15,727,106
- Linn-Benton Community College: $10,678,632
- Umpqua Community College: $4,439,771
- Central Oregon Community College: $11,011,920
The distribution of the funds was praised by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield. “These funds from the American Rescue plan will not only provide our students with much-needed relief, but will also support the thousands of jobs that depend on these universities," he said.
