Mission, TX- Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announces $3,676,935 in federal funds for colleges and universities in the Rio Grande Valley. This funding, awarded through Higher Education Relief Fund in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, 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. As a senior Appropriator, I am committed to ensuring our colleges and universities nor our students find themselves a casualty of this pandemic. I want to thank University Of Texas – Rio Grande Valley President Guy Bailey, South Texas College President Dr. Shirley A. Reed, and their staff for their dedication to ensuring that their students have all the educational opportunities as we work to weather this storm.”

As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secure $13.95 billion for Higher Education Relief Fund  in the CARES Act. Within this funding program, 7%, or about $1.05 billion, is reserved for additional awards to institutions under titles III, V, and VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (minority serving programs).

Developing Hispanic-serving Institutions (DHSI)

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 Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA)

PPOHA Program provides grants to: (1) expand postbaccalaureate educational opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic students; and (2) expand the postbaccalaureate 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 postsecondary degrees.