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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) announced that El Paso colleges, universities, and students will receive a combined total of $142,699,737 in coronavirus relief funding from the American Rescue Plan.

The funding will help local institutions and students recover from the severe financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis, and ensure learning continues during the pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of millions of students seeking higher education in El Paso and across the country,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “The American Rescue Plan makes a historic investment in our nation’s education system to guarantee our colleges and universities can continue to serve our community and ensure students are able to further their careers and continue to provide their great skills and talent to El Paso. Help is here and I am proud to have worked to secure this critical support.”

The colleges and universities in Texas’ 16^th Congressional District receiving funding under the American Rescue Plan are:

• University of Texas at El Paso: $76,772,356
• El Paso Community College: $62,889,441
• Southwest University at El Paso: $1,305,845
• Western Technical College: $1,048,519
• Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso: $581,610
• Tri-State Cosmetology Institute: $101,966

The funding was authorized and made available by the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congresswoman Escobar voted for and sent to be signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021. This comprehensive bill delivers critical relief to El Paso families and small businesses, lifts millions out of poverty, and accelerates vaccination efforts to finally defeat the virus.

The over $36 billion in American Rescue Plan funds will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to nearly 3,500 public and private nonprofit colleges and universities across the country. 

At least half of the funding each institution receives will be distributed in the form of emergency cash assistance grants for students who are facing financial hardship. El Paso students should contact their institutions for more information about how they can apply for emergency cash assistance. 

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

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