TAMIU Shares Appreciation for News of $9.5M CARES Act Funding
Today, Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) president Dr. Pablo Arenaz received some of the best news possible during the University’s COVID-19 response: TAMIU will be the recipient of $9,501,756 million in CARES Act relief funding, according to information shared by Texas Senator John Cornyn’s office.
“We’re enormously appreciative of Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Henry Cuellar ('82) and the entire delegation for their quick initial response to this historic emergency. The relief the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, authorized by the CARES Act, will provide both our students and our institution is dramatic. This initial allocation, half for students and half for the institution, will provide emergency grants to students, and provide the University with needed assistance,” Dr. Arenaz said.
The CARES Act, (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act), is offered in various titles and parts by the Department of Education under the Sec. 18004(a)(1) Allocation. The Education provisions of the Act include campus-based aid waivers, supplemental educational opportunity grants for emergency aid, institutional refunds and federal student loan flexibility and temporary relief for federal student loan borrowers, among other components.
Arenaz said that this allocation of the CARES Act funding will have immediate availability and impact for students.
“So many of our students and their families have been severely impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with some even questioning their ability to continue their degree dream …so this will come as a most welcome relief to them and their families. Importantly, the relief provided in the CARES Act balances the needs of students and institutions in responding to the pandemic. This means the University will be able to apply some funding to losses accrued in our broad pandemic responses, which is, of course, ongoing,” Arenaz said.
He noted that the next concern shared by TAMIU and other higher education institutions across the nation will be funding that is focused on retention of students for the Fall.
“This will be the next hurdle for TAMIU, and we will continue to urge Congress to help universities and families address this issue in the next relief package that is now under consideration,” he concluded.
The 11 campuses of the Texas A&M University System will receive a combined $112.5 million in funding.
Registration for Maymester, Summer and Fall semesters is currently underway online through Uconnect. For additional information on registration, contact the Office of the Registrar via phone at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.eduor visit their website at https://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/
As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed to the general public. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering and social distancing and with most staff working remotely. Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation. Entry to campus is only open to students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus. An online directory is here.
The University’s dedicated COVID-19 website is updated daily and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information links and much more.
