BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Rep. Brian Higgins (N.Y.-26) announced that colleges and students in Western New York will receive over $68.8 million in federal funding, with half going towards student aid.
The funds will be provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has closed campuses and cancelled classes, significantly impacting the ability of students to continue their education,” said Rep. Higgins. “This funding ensures resources are available to support students as they continue on the path to earning a degree.”
Here's a complete breakdown of which schools will receive funds, and how much they'll receive
| College | Total Allocation | Minimum Allocation to be Awarded for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students |
| Bryant & Stratton College | $8,877,497 | $4,438,749 |
| Canisius College | $2,334,830 | $1,167,415 |
| Daemen College | $1,872,946 | $936,473 |
| D'Youville | $1,773,370 | $886,685 |
| Erie 1 BOCES | $577,270 | $288,635 |
| Erie Community College | $7,995,845 | $3,997,923 |
| Hilbert College | $683,112 | $341,556 |
| Medaille College | $2,028,538 | $1,014,269 |
| Niagara County Community College | $3,598,909 | $1,799,455 |
| Niagara University | $2,711,396 | $1,355,698 |
| State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) | $23,952,900 | $11,976,450 |
| SUNY College at Buffalo (Buff State) | $10,484,417 | $5,242,209 |
| Trocaire College | $1,147,253 | $573,627 |
| Villa Maria College | $807,056 | $403,528 |
| TOTAL | $68,845,339 | $34,422,672 |
The CARES Act is also aimed to help Western New York students with the following
- Student loan payment deferment on federal student loans through September
- Ceasing involuntary collection of federal student loan debt, including wage garnishment and tax refund offset, through September
- Allowing colleges to continue paying students using Federal Work Study even if the student is unable to work during the crisis
- Excluding this term from counting toward lifetime subsidized loan eligibility or lifetime Pell Grant Eligibility
- Students are also not required to return unused Pell Grants or federal student loans to the Department of Education and the CARES Act cancels the portion of your loan taken out for the semester if you withdrew due to COVID-19.
