The U.S. Department of Education Secretary Betsy De Vosannounced on Tuesday, August 28, 2018, that under the Emergency Assistance to Institutions of Higher Education Program, $63 Million in new federal assistance will be awarded to 47 institutions of higher education. Through this initiative, the University of the Virgin Islands will receive an allotment of $11,174.451, which is the largest amount allotted to any of the institutions selected.
“This emergency assistance will provide vital resources for those lives that were impacted by disasters in 2017,” said U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy De Vos. “As those on the ground work every day to recover, the Department will continue to be a partner and resource to get institutions, students and faculty back on their feet.”
President David Hall indicated that “this grant award to the University of the Virgin Islands will have a major impact on our ability to rebuild the numerous buildingsthat were damaged or destroyed on our campuses. We are deeply appreciative for the support provided by Secretary DeVos and the Department of Education. UVI will reclaim the usefulness and beauty of its campuses much faster because of this support.”
The funding allocations were determined using information provided by each institution regarding the damage and recovery costs incurred by the disasters. Allocations also prioritized students who are homeless or at risk of homelessness due to displacement. Funds will be awarded following receipt of final application data.
Congress appropriated $100 million for this program, and funds are available for obligation by the Department until 2022. The first $63,059,988 has been allocated to 47institutions in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Florida. The Department anticipates evaluating additional applications from these institutions and others as their regions recover. Staff will work closely with applicants to assess their needs so as to distribute remaining funds.
Congress also appropriated up to $75 million for the Defraying Costs of Enrolling Displaced Students program, which helps institutions recover the costs of generously supporting students who were displaced by the disasters. To date, $5,384,186 has been awarded, and the Department will evaluate all additional applications through October 31, 2018.
President Hall thanked Vice President for Administration and Finance, Ms. Shirley Lake King for developing and submitting the University’s pre-proposal that generated this allotment.