NASFAA Mention: ‘That Blew Everything Up’: Universities Get Aid They Can’t Share With DACA Students

"Colleges and universities across the country are getting emergency federal aid for COVID-19, but some of the most vulnerable students won’t be eligible for assistance. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has said the emergency grants — part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief act that Congress approved last month — can’t go to undocumented students, even those who pay taxes or are under federal protection," Virginia Mercury reports

...“'When that guidance dropped, that blew everything up and out of the water,' said Brad Barnett, JMU’s financial aid director. Barnett discussed the grants on the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators “Off the Cuff” podcast.

Because of confusion about eligibility requirements, the university waited to open applications for the $6 million it has for student emergency funds. Barnett said they put the process on hold to talk to lawmakers and see if the restrictions might be lifted.

'It was such a bomb to drop that we wanted some time … but now we need to get that money out the door,' Barnett told the podcast."

..."'The lengths this administration goes through to exclude DACA students ends up hurting a lot more [people],' said Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators."

 

 

Publication Date: 5/11/2020

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