WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRPROUD) — Louisiana colleges and universities have received over $683 million from the American Rescue Plan.

The Department of Education’s announcement also includes community colleges in the state receiving $196 million.

According to a news release from the White House, funds were provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) in the last year and the money is required by the American Rescue Plan to be used to provide direct financial relief to students.

The release cites a recent survey’s findings of the American Council on Education found HEERF enabled:

  • 93% of colleges to provide direct financial support to students at risk of dropping out
  • 81% of colleges to keep student net prices similar to pre-pandemic levels
  • 70% of colleges to continue to employ faculty, staff, and other employees otherwise at risk of unemployment
  • 63% of colleges to keep students and faculty safe by purchasing COVID-19 tests, health screenings, and health care

Louisiana breakdown of funding include:

  • Approximately $196 million for community colleges
  • Over $211 million for 6 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  • Over $103 million for 5 Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) – which includes Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions.

Community colleges in Louisiana receiving American Rescue Plan funds include:

  • Delgado Community College: $46,768,919
  • Baton Rouge Community College: $24,995,382
  • South Louisiana Community College: $20,445,329
  • Southern University at Shreveport – Bossier City: $18,289,223
  • Bossier Parish Community College: $17,535,846

HBCUs in Louisiana receiving American Rescue Plan funds include:

  • Southern University and A&M College: $64,130,696
  • Grambling State University: $48,074,370
  • Southern University at New Orleans: $36,540,309
  • Xavier University of Louisiana: $31,406,850
  • Southern University at Shreveport ‐ Bossier City: $18,289,223
  • Dillard University: $12,710,006

MSIs in Louisiana receiving American Rescue Plan funds include:

  • Delgado Community College: $46,768,919
  • Baton Rouge Community College: $24,995,382
  • South Louisiana Community College: $20,445,329
  • Elaine P. Nunez Community College: $6,738,340
  • Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College: $4,506,703

Examples of other colleges and universities in Louisiana receiving American Rescue Plan funds include:

  • Louisiana State University & A&M College: $51,913,119
  • University of Louisiana at Lafayette: $37,525,127
  • Southeastern Louisiana University: $34,914,266