5/28/2021
Contact: Sarah Abel
Phone: 202-225-5506
Rep. Ron Kind Announces Over $130 Million for Local Colleges, Universities, and Students
La Crosse, WI – Today, Rep. Ron Kind announced more than $130 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship.
The American Rescue Plan provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.
“There’s no doubt this past year has been hard on our local colleges, universities, and students. Despite the challenges, our outstanding technical colleges and universities here in Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District have continued to provide students with a top tier education throughout this pandemic,” said Rep. Ron Kind. “Now, this historic investment through the American Rescue Plan will help provide much needed relief to these valued institutions, ensuring that they are able to recover from the economic difficulties caused by COVID-19 and build back stronger than ever. The success of our local colleges is integral to the success of our communities, and I will continue to work to support our higher education institutions.”
The colleges and universities in Wisconsin’s 3rd District receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:
- Chippewa Valley Technical College: $ 12,064,210
- Mid-State Technical College: $ 5,884,728
- Southwest Wisconsin Technical College: $ 3,515,861
- University of Wisconsin-Stout: $14,247,930
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: $20,109,879
- University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: $18,200,686
- University of Wisconsin-Platteville: $13,907,832
- University of Wisconsin-River Falls: $12,564,782
- University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point: $18,002,658
- Viterbo University: $3,837,463
- Western Technical College: $ 8,741,509
“The American Rescue Plan funds will be used to help as many UW-Stevens Point students as possible. This federal support is especially helpful to our students during the pandemic, and we know it’s appreciated as they display resilience to complete their degrees,” said University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Chancellor Thomas Gibson.
“While we are still interpreting the guidelines from the Department of Education, it’s certain that the American Rescue Plan’s relief aid is going to help our students and neighbors who have experienced disruption this past year. Our intention is to use the funding to reengage students who have had their college and career plans interrupted, to get them back to their studies as efficiently and safely as possible. This funding will also help us respond quickly to unexpected needs that may arise as we continue our return to normal operations. Where possible, we hope to find a way to prioritize economic and business recovery in our district, perhaps by focusing on additional supports within industry areas that have unmet needs,” said Western Technical College President Roger Stanford.
“We are very grateful for this financial support for UWL and our students. These funds will help our university move past the budgetary challenges of COVID-19 as we work toward a brighter future. They will also help ensure that financial hardship caused by the pandemic does not affect our students’ ability to graduate and pursue their career goals,” said University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow.
“UW-Stout is grateful for the recent allocation of funds through the American Rescue Plan from the U.S. Department of Education and appreciative of Congressman Kind’s efforts to support our university and, most importantly, our students. The nearly $7 million in student aid will go directly to our highest need students to support their educational goals, as well as cover basic needs such as food and housing insecurities. The additional $7.3 million in funding provided will be directed to help address some of the expenses incurred to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 at Stout, and in our community. While Stout still has a deficit of $4 million due to COVID-related expenses and lost revenue, the federal funds received to date have been instrumental in allowing us to fulfill our mission as Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University during this challenging time,” said University of Wisconsin-Stout Chancellor Katherine Frank.
“Higher education will continue to drive economic recovery from the pandemic by preparing the educated and innovative workforce our region needs. Federal relief funds ensured that our mission continued safely despite the setbacks of 2020. Financial aid for students, along with funding for testing, vaccinations, and the deployment of operational support to campus and community were crucial investments in stability,” said Grace Crickette, UW-Eau Claire Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration.
Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant.
To read more about emergency education funding under the American Rescue Plan, click here.
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