WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that over $84 million in grants will go to local education institutions, students, and the governor’s office as part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that passed Congress last month. $62 million in funding is available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEER) and $22 million is available through the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, both authorized by the CARES Act.
Half, or $31 million of the $62 million provided to New Mexico education institutions under the HEER Fund must go towards providing cash grants to students for expenses related to disruptions to their educations due to the COVID-19 outbreak, including things like course materials and technology as well as food, housing, health care, and childcare. Institutions will use the remaining funds to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus.
The $22,262,663 emergency block grant provided to the governor’s office by the GEER fund will be used to support the continuity of education for students of all ages in New Mexico.
In addition to funding specifically for higher education institutions, the CARES Act suspended payments for federal student loan borrowers interest free until September 30.
“We must continue to support students in New Mexico and across the country who are experiencing financial hardships and disruptions to their education because of the coronavirus pandemic. No student should be left behind to pay for unexpected essential needs like housing and access to technology so that they can continue learning online. Young people desperately need our support as they navigate the many challenges presented by this crisis,” said Udall. “This funding will also help bolster education institutions that are overcoming challenging circumstances and working hard to provide a continuity of education for our students.”
“We must do everything we can to support students throughout New Mexico as they continue to pursue their education in the face of unprecedented challenges,” said Heinrich. “Investing in their continued academic success at our colleges and universities is one of the surest ways to prepare them and our entire state for new economic opportunities when we are able to reopen and rebuild our communities. I will keep doing everything in my power to fight for the funding and resources New Mexicans need to protect our health and safety during this pandemic and rebound economically when this is all over.”
“During this time, it is crucial that students and educational institutions across New Mexico are strongly supported. Given the challenges that students are facing as a result of this public health crisis, we have to do more to alleviate their financial hardships as they try to continue their education,” said Luján. “These federal grants will help ensure that our students can stay on the path to success by supporting them and their colleges and universities. I will keep fighting to ensure that New Mexico receives its fair share of federal support as we combat this pandemic.”
“Our students deserve the opportunity to succeed, but the coronavirus pandemic has put education opportunities and financial barriers in their way. The funding we included in the CARES Act for students, colleges, and universities will help students stay on track and provide relief for UNM, CNM, and schools across the state that are working to deliver learning opportunities remotely,” said Haaland.
“Students across central and southern New Mexico have put their lives on hold, with many facing new costs like childcare, housing, and technology to continue remote learning. This emergency cash secured through the CARES Act will directly help students at New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico University, Western New Mexico University, New Mexico Military Institute, and more, cover expenses related to COVID-19. As our community addresses immediate challenges and looks towards recovery, we cannot let our students fall behind,” said Torres Small.
The full breakdown of the $62,282,593 in funds is below:
Aveda Institute Of New Mexico, $237,641
Avenue Academy, A Cosmetology Institute, $54,745
Central New Mexico Community College, $9,305,433
Clovis Community College, $857,725
Eastern New Mexico University, $2,914,187
Glitz School Of Cosmetology, $222,535
Institute Of American Indian & Alaska Native Culture & Arts Development, $342,519
Luna Community College, $399,419
Mesalands Community College, $198,978
Navajo Technical University, $1,503,703
New Mexico Highlands University, $1,699,974
New Mexico Institute Of Mining & Technology, $1,353,197
New Mexico Junior College, $1,121,004
New Mexico Military Institute, $415,633
New Mexico State University, $14,076,359
Northern New Mexico College, $1,051,562
Olympian Academy Of Cosmetology, $1,430,238
Pima Medical Institute, $340,233
Saint John'S College, $377,298
San Juan College, $2,737,168
Santa Fe Community College, $1,219,106
Southwest Acupuncture College, $26,770
Southwestern College, $45,392
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, $593,278
Toni&Guy Hairdressing Academy, $290,981
Universal Therapeutic Massage Institute, $139,681
University Of New Mexico, $17,266,512
University Of The Southwest, $435,854
Vogue College Of Cosmetology, $74,042
Western New Mexico University, $1,551,426