Dr. Ramage Announces CARES Act Program for Parkland Students

$1.64 million to eligible students in emergency aid

Please read President Ramage’s message to the Parkland College community regarding the CARES Act.
 
Dear Parkland College Community,

You may have heard of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which Congress passed on March 27 to provide comprehensive aid to our nation in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. You may have also wondered how this aid package will support Parkland and Parkland students, and I am pleased to provide an update to you today on how these funds will support our campus community.

As of April 21, the government has established the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), which allows institutions of higher education the ability to provide emergency grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to novel coronavirus.

This fund provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency grants with no impact to their other financial aid and no requirement to pay back these funds. Institutions must pay HEERF-student share emergency grants directly to students and may not apply the grants toward outstanding institutional charges.

Parkland’s share of this aid package is $3.2 million, with $1.64 million specifically designated for direct payments to eligible students and the remainder helping the institution cover financial losses associated with the crisis. We are pleased to be able to provide some financial relief in times as uncertain as these. For many of us, this crisis has affected multiple facets of our lives. But Parkland is determined to bring our students through this, in every way we can. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure our students have the opportunity to complete or continue their schooling.

Although our goal is to provide opportunities for students of all types, the guidelines surrounding eligibility from the government will limit which students may receive funding under the CARES Act Program for Parkland Students.

Eligible students will receive an email detailing next steps about applying for these CARES Act grants. For more information on eligibility, the CARES Act, and HEERF, please see the Department of Education site or their FAQ.
 

Stay safe and be well,

Thomas R. Ramage
President, Parkland College