The University of Alaska has received over ten million dollars in federal CARES Act coronavirus response funds. The most recent tranche is $7,900,000, and UA spokesperson Robbie Graham says more than half of that has gone to students. Graham says the amount of money a student received was based on their most recent Free Application For Federal Student Aid or FAFSA.
UA CARES 1: Q:”… to students directly.” :15
Graham says the money has been used to reimburse about 4,500 students for travel and other pandemic related costs triggered by the abrupt closure of campuses, and transition to remote course delivery in March. Meanwhile, she says other federal COVID response funds are being used to help each campus cover refunded room and board and other costs.
UA CARES 2: Q:”…
Graham emphasizes that those costs, along with lost revenue from declining enrollment, and cancelled events, as well as the stock market downturn, and other pandemic driven impacts, far exceed federal relief.
UA CARES 3: Q:”…2 fiscal years.” :12
Graham says the losses are on top of a three-year $70,000,000 reduction in state support.
