Idaho’s Republican senators are urging the Trump administration to move quickly to get federal stimulus money into the hands of the state’s colleges and universities.
“In addition, we ask that you conduct a full review of your agency’s regulations to, wherever possible, reduce regulation that may be hindering higher education institutions’ ability to effectively serve students during this difficult time,” Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch said in a Monday letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act will provide $56 million for the state’s public and private colleges and universities. At least half of the money will go into direct student aid — and it could go out relatively quickly. Colleges and universities are drawing up their plans to distribute their share of the funds.
All told, the state has received $1.25 billion of CARES Act funding. The first $625 million came in Friday. The second installment arrived Monday, Cynthia Sewell of the Idaho Statesman reported, but the state is waiting on additional guidance from the feds before it starts to spend the money.
