Thinking & AdvocacyToday, the President signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319). The Act provides nearly $40 billion of support to institutions of higher education, including substantial support for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions.
These funds will allow colleges and universities to support students and communities that have been devastated by the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, effects which have been particularly pronounced for community colleges and the students they serve.
Community colleges are innovative, and America’s learners are resilient. The American Rescue Plan Act is a significant step toward equitable economic recovery for the colleges, students, and communities whom the pandemic has disproportionately affected.
At Achieving the Dream, we work with hundreds of community colleges across the country who act as engines of growth and mobility for students, their families, and their communities. We are heartened to see how many colleges in the ATD Network will benefit from the American Rescue Plan Act — and, by extension, the people they serve.