WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Maine is receiving additional funding to get through the coronavirus pandemic.
In the first round of funding for colleges and universities in Maine, $41,092,834 will be given out to help students and institutions through the health crisis. Of the $41 million, at least $20,546,425 must be used for emergency financial aid grants to students.
The funds will offer direct aid to students to help pay for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. Colleges and universities may also use the funding to purchase technology to expand remote learning and to defray costs associated with lost revenue.
Some of the Maine higher education institutions that received funding include:
- University of Maine: $7,603,694
- University of Southern Maine: $4,616,245
- Southern Maine Community College: $2,897,298
- Husson University: $2,674,616
- Colby College: $1,244,996
- Eastern Maine Community College: $1,426,773
In additon, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $83,372,447 to help Maine’s public transportation systems respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sen. Susan Collins, chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, said the money will help ensure that public transportation remains strong and reliable for access to essential resources, such as groceries and medical care.
“Many Mainers in both urban and rural communities depend on public transit, but these systems are facing financial pressures due to the ongoing pandemic,” Collins said.
At NEWS CENTER Maine, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: /coronavirus