Groups request $1.5B to help minority-serving colleges respond to coronavirus

Groups representing historically black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) are urging Congress to give these schools at least $1.5 billion in emergency aid to help them recover from financial losses sustained due to the coronavirus pandemic.  House Democrats unveiled a $2.5 trillion stimulus bill that would allocate that amount to HBCUs and other MSIs. Last week, several higher ed associations urged the Senate to include $1.5 billion in aid for these schools in its emergency spending package.  The crisis could imperil some colleges, observers say, especially those that have had to issue refunds for room and board and bear the upfront costs of moving instruction online.