Local schools are excited to put to use the more than $3 million combined that they will receive as emergency financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education to support students and institutions during the coronavirus pandemic.
This emergency financial aid — a result of the CARES Act — can be used by students for course materials, technology, housing, food, healthcare and child care costs.
Owensboro Community & Technical College ($1,789,723), Kentucky Wesleyan College ($843,204) and Brescia University ($504,094) will all receive funding for a total of $3,137,021.
OCTC President Scott Williams said the nearly $1.8 million will go a long way toward assisting them during this pandemic.
“More than 70 percent of our students are on some form of financial aid, so this will really help them during this crisis,” Williams said, adding that OCTC is working incessantly to put a distribution plan for those funds in place. “Our students will be looking forward to that.”
Eddie Kenny, vice president of advancement at Kentucky Wesleyan, said the nearly $850,000 of allocated funds will provide some peace of mind for the college.
“As with much of the ongoing situation, things are happening quickly,” Kenny said. “The college administration, along with the Board of Trustees, is reviewing the guidelines for usage and will be doing its due diligence to ensure proper distribution of funds to support our campus, or students and our families.”
At Brescia University, Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement Sydney Warren said the funding comes at a crucial time for higher education institutions.
“We are appreciative of this support, particularly for the $242,047 that will be directly allocated to students as emergency aid,” Warren said. “We have yet to understand the total financial implications this will have on all colleges and universities, but we do understand that the needs of our students will continue to increase as the situation continues to disrupt their lives and goals of pursuing higher education.”
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For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
