$22M in CARES Act funding directed to Va. private colleges

Individual distributions not yet announced

Published November 9, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Virginia’s private higher education institutions will receive $22 million in federal CARES Act funding for COVID-19 preparedness and response, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday.

In late October, $116 million was allocated to Virginia’s public higher education institutions — with today’s allocation proportionate to the public school funding, according to Northam’s office.

“Like public colleges and universities, Virginia’s private institutions are facing tremendous financial challenges as a result of COVID-19,” Northam said in a statement. “My administration is proud to support these institutions as they continue to provide a world-class education while protecting the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and communities.”

Funding will be allocated to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and distributed to schools based on COVID-19-related expenses incurred between July 1 and Nov. 1. Personal protective equipment, sanitization, cleaning and testing supplies can be bought for students, staff and faculty through the funding.

A distribution of funds has not been released, says SCHEV spokesperson Laura Osberger. SCHEV will ask institutions to submit detailed financial information about legitimate expenditures.

“If the totals exceed the amount we have available, we will prorate the institutions’ requests,” Osberger says.