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WASHINGTON, DC—Just over one year since the passage of the American Rescue Plan, Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced nearly $150 million in funding to universities and other educational institutes serving Capital Region students. These landmark investments are already helping make institutions of higher education—especially community colleges—more affordable during the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring Capital Region students stay on track to graduate. At least half of these funds are set aside to provide direct financial relief to students.

“Last March, I cast my vote alongside House Democrats to provide a lifeline for our communities with the American Rescue Plan,” Congressman Tonko said. “This rescue delivered key investments for Americans, including securing desperately needed funding to strengthen our schools and help support our college students in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. One year after this plan was enacted, our Capital Region institutions of higher learning continue to reap the benefits of these historic investments. I’m proud to have pushed for this vital assistance for our colleges and universities, and I will continue fighting to support our students, bring down the cost of their education, and build a brighter future for all.”

The American Rescue Plan delivered one of the largest one-time infusions of funding for colleges and universities in American history. These funds, distributed by the U.S. Department of Education’s Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), are already having a significant impact here in the Capital Region and nationwide.  A recent survey of college presidents by the American Council on Education found that these transformative investments enabled:

• 93 percent of colleges to provide direct financial support to students at risk of dropping out
• 81 percent of colleges to keep net costs for students at or near pre-pandemic levels
• 70 percent of colleges to continue to employ faculty, staff, and other employees otherwise at risk of being laid off
• 63 percent of colleges to keep their students, faculty, and staff safe by purchasing COVID-19 tests and providing enhanced screenings and health care

In addition to several million in awards to various educational institutions, this slate of funding for Capital Region colleges and universities under the American Rescue Plan includes:

• $44,253,101 for SUNY Albany
• $18,397,446 for Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC)
• $17,715,152 for SUNY Schenectady County Community College
• $13,642,165 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
• $9,324,647 for the College of Saint Rose
• $6,901,679 for Siena College
• $5,325,807 for SUNY Fulton-Montgomery
• $4,953,656 for Russell Sage College
• $4,175,642 for Skidmore College
• $3,050,052 for Union College
• $2,421,762 for Maria College
• $2,374,390 for the Albany College of Pharmacy
• $2,092,252 for Excelsior College
• $548,501 for Albany Medical College
• $324,909 for Albany School of Law

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