Great news for all international students in the US as they are eligible for COVID-19 support. More than $36B worth of emergency grants will be given to them in response to the ongoing pandemic. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (HEERF III) was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This consists of $39.6B in support of all HEIs that made sure learning is not halted even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Total emergency funds addressed to institutions and the students amount to $76.2B.
It was recently announced in Washington, D.C. that the said funds will be made available for all students enrolled in an HEI during the COVID-19 national emergency in the country regardless of immigration status. Even those who are undocumented and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are eligible to receive the support.
“The Department of Education’s updated guidance that expands eligibility for the HEERF financial aid grants to all students regardless of immigration status is very welcomed news,” according to Miriam Feldblum, the executive director of Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration in the US.
Over 5,000 HEIs will receive the funding, which helps marginalized students to pursue their education and careers in the US. The government is also vying for the funds to be directly given to students who are having difficulty making ends meet.
According to Jill Allen Murray, Deputy Executive Director of NAFSA, this is a great move by the Biden Administration as funding is not based on place of birth but by financial need.
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