Congressman Cuellar announces over $3.6 million for UTRGV and STC

Posted: May 6, 2020 / 11:14 AM CDT / Updated: May 6, 2020 / 11:14 AM CDT

MISSION, Texas – Congressman Henry Cuellar announced $3,676,935 in federal funds for colleges and universities in the Rio Grande Valley. The congressman’s press release said this funding was awarded through Higher Education Relief Fund in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It will be used to assist Minority-Serving Institutions to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

“This public health and economic crisis has upended the lives of students across our community,” said Congressman Cuellar. “This federal investment will be used to provide relief to students and help institutions of higher education mitigate the impact of COVID-19.”

The release also stated who benefits from the funds:

Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions (DHSI) Program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the attainment of, Hispanic students. These grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.

Promoting Post-baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Program provides grants to: (1) expand post-baccalaureate educational opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic students; and (2) expand the post-baccalaureate academic offerings as well as enhance the program quality in the institutions of higher education that are educating the majority of Hispanic college students and helping large numbers of Hispanic and low-income students complete post secondary degrees.