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Foster Announces $117 Million for Local Colleges, Universities, and Students

May 11, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced more than $117 million in emergency funding for colleges, universities, and students in the 11th Congressional District of Illinois under the American Rescue Plan. The funding will help local institutions cope with the severe financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and continue serving their students safely. At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants to students who are facing hunger, homelessness, and other hardship. The American Rescue Plan provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.

"Our district is home to outstanding educational institutions, including colleges and universities that attract students from across Illinois and the entire nation," Foster said. "These institutions have faced serious financial strain during the COVID-19 pandemic, as have the students they serve. That's one of the reasons I was proud to vote for the American Rescue Plan – which makes historic investments to secure the future of these valued institutions and provide struggling students with urgent relief to allow them to stay on track and complete their education. I am proud that we were able to deliver this critical support for institutions of higher education and students, and I applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its relentless focus on defeating the pandemic and building back a better economy."

The colleges and universities in the 11th District receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:

Aurora University - $13,706,056

University of St. Francis - $5,010,048

Joliet Junior College - $21,685,833

Lewis University - $11,349,141

North Central College - $6,520,089

Benedictine University - $9,239,645

Waubonsee Community College - $13,529,827

College of DuPage - $36,481,014

Students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for an emergency grant.

To read more about emergency education funding under the American Rescue Plan, click here.