The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will receive an additional $5.9 million in emergency funding.
Southeast Arkansas College, a two-year school, will get $74,688. The Jefferson County Regional Medical Center College of Nursing will receive $6,902.
Overall, Arkansas institutions can get nearly $14.6 million in federal emergency funding under a second round of disbursements announced last week by the U.S. Department of Education because of the financial effects of the covid-19 virus.
The additional money is for three types of schools, according to federal designations: Historically black colleges and universities, tribal controlled colleges and universities and other institutions serving members of minority groups.
Nationwide, more than 1,761 schools are collectively receiving another $1 billion on top of the $12.6 billion already promised. In Arkansas, 39 schools will receive the new round of funds. In the first round, 77 schools received about $130 million.
Cosmetology and some professional schools were not included in this round of funding, unlike in the first round.
At $5.9 million, UAPB can get the largest portion. Three other schools in Arkansas will receive more than $500,000. They are Philander Smith College ($2.4 million), Shorter College ($1.2 million) and Arkansas Baptist College ($1 million), all historically black colleges in Little Rock.
As with the first round of funding, schools can use the money to cover the costs of emergency measures taken during the pandemic.
"Institutions may use this funding to cover the cost of technology associated with a transition to distance education, grants to cover the costs of attendance for eligible students, and faculty and staff trainings," the department's announcement reads. "Additionally, funds may be used to cover operational costs, such as lost revenue, reimbursements for prior expenses, and payroll."
Schools are not required to spend at least half of these funds on students, as they were in the first round, but are encouraged to do so by the federal education department.
Many Arkansas schools are still deliberating how to use the funds and how to make them available to students.
"I encourage these institutions, like all others, to use these funds to provide emergency grants to students during this challenging time, and to expand remote learning programs and build IT capacity," said Betsy DeVos, U.S. Secretary of Education, in a statement.
State Desk on 05/10/2020