Colleges and universities in Washington and Idaho are expected to receive about $281 million from a federal stimulus package aimed at dampening the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At least half of that money will go directly to students in the form of emergency grants to help with tuition, child care, technology and other needs. Schools will have some discretion in how they spend the rest, although officials at several Eastern Washington institutions say they’re awaiting clarification from the U.S. Department of Education on what kinds of expenditures will be permitted.
The money comes from the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security, or CARES, Act that Congress passed in late March.
It’s welcome assistance for colleges and universities struggling with sudden drops in revenue, as students have moved out of dormitories, canceled meal plans and demanded refunds for services like bus transportation and access to the campus gym.
Some schools also worry about declines in enrollment, which would mean less tuition revenue, as well as broader economic impacts such as a decline in Washington’s sales tax revenue, which could limit how much lawmakers devote to higher education.
Nearly $12.6 billion from the CARES Act is earmarked for higher education institutions and students nationwide.
Schools in Washington are expected to receive a total of $224.3 million. That includes $21.7 million for Washington State University, $10.4 million for Eastern Washington University, $4.2 million for Spokane Community College, $3.5 million for Spokane Falls Community College, $2.7 million for Gonzaga University and $2.6 million for Whitworth University.
The University of Washington is expected to receive more than any school in the state — nearly $38.8 million for its campuses in Seattle, Bothell and Tacoma.
Schools in Idaho, meanwhile are expected to receive a total of $57 million, including $7.3 million for the University of Idaho and $2.3 million for North Idaho College.
Students at each of those schools continue to take most courses online due to restrictions aimed at preventing transmission of the novel coronavirus. School officials are struggling to gauge how their institutions are being impacted financially, as it’s unclear how long the social distancing measures will go on.
