U.S. Department of Education awards $2.3 million to Minnesota Community Colleges to support students in need

Student leaders are thanking the Biden Administration for awarding over $1 million in emergency grants to students that are still facing the economic hardship from the pandemic. This money is focused on community college students from rural communities and institutions that primarily serve students of color, and will help those students and institutions on the road to recovery.

“Thank you President Biden for supporting Minnesota’s community college students,” said Ali Tomashek, President of LeadMN. “These emergency grants will help students finish their degree by providing a lifeline when they face economic hardship,” said Tomashek. 

Throughout the pandemic, emergency grants have been a lifeline for students facing hardship. LeadMN has advocated that these grants become permanent after the pandemic to ensure that students get the support they need. In March of this year, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith introduced the Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act, which would authorize a grant program for institutions of higher education to provide emergency grants to college students to help them get through unanticipated emergencies. These grants would be administered by their campus and unlike a student loan, would not need to be repaid.

Grants Awarded in July 2022

Institution

Student Allocation

Institution Allocation

Total

Hibbing Community College

$108,619

$108,619

$217,238

Rainy River Community College

$21,769

$21,769

$43,538

Northwest Technical College

$95,014

$95,014

$190,028

Pine Technical & Community College

$99,095

$99,095

$198,190

St Paul College

$834,258

$834,258

$1,668,516

 

$1,158,755

$1,158,755

$2,317,510


For more information about the program visit the Department of Education’s website.