Kent clarifies intent of Cares Act funds as colleges and universities grapple with distribution

Many colleges and universities across the country were granted CARES Act funding to assist with the financial fallout of COVID-19. And at least half of that money is intended to support students directly. However, vague guidance from the Department of Education and little specification on how these monies are to be distributed are leaving some students without financial relief.

According to higher education attorney Rob Kent in a recent The Chronicle of Higher Education article, the intent of the law is to provide flexibility to institutions to use CARES Act funds to create programs that lead students to remain enrolled and graduate. He says, “Congress wanted to minimize the impact the virus would have on our country. Keeping students on a trajectory for graduation will do exactly that.”