Nearly $12.7 million is being distributed to Kansas State University from the federal government, half of which is directly aimed at student financial assistance.
The funding, announced Thursday, is one branch of the $2.1 trillion federal Coronavirus Air, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in late March, in response to the ongoing health crisis.
The CARES Act includes $14 billion to support post-secondary education students and institutions. Colleges and universities are required to use the $6.28 billion made available to provide cash grants to students for expenses and technology as well as food, housing, health care and childcare.
K-State receives $6.3 million immediately upon signing a certification from affirming it will distribute the funds in accordance with applicable law. The remainder of K-State’s allocation will be distributed in the coming weeks, with those funds able to be used to help cover costs associated with the university’s transition to the alternative delivery method of instruction due to the coronavirus.
At a March meeting of the Kansas Board of Regents, K-State President Richard Myers estimated a $21 million impact as a result of ceasing in-person operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The KSU Foundation has since started the K-State Strong Emergency Response Fund to help student, faculty and staff needs amid the situation.
Elsewhere, Manhattan Area Technical College is receiving nearly $370,000 from the federal aid while Manhattan Christian College is receiving nearly $205,000. Cloud County Community College, which has students in Junction City and Concordia, will receive over $763,000.
