Newsroom
Relief for those in higher education impacted by natural disasters
March 01, 2018
Severe weather comes and goes quickly but the devastating impact lasts for months or years.
The Department of Education issued an Electronic Announcement Wednesday, outlining disaster assistance for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the 2017 California wildfire.
Two provisions are of interest to institutions of higher education (IHE) and, in particular, financial aid offices:
Emergency Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education
Congress appropriated $100 million for this program, which will provide emergency assistance to IHEs and their students in areas directly affected by the disasters, for activities authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965.
Defraying Costs of Enrolling Displaced Students in Higher Education
Congress appropriated $75 million for this program, which will provide payments to IHEs to help defray the unexpected expenses associated with enrolling displaced students from IHEs directly affected by a covered disaster or emergency, in accordance with criteria that will be established and made publicly available.
The Department will be sharing additional information soon, including the application packages and technical assistance, on its webpage, "Hurricane Help,"" at https://www.ed.gov/hurricane-harvey.
For additional information on the programs for IHEs, please contact Adam Kissel, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Programs, Office of Postsecondary Education, at adam.kissel@ed.gov or at (202) 453-7337.