FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2020
HACU statement on exclusion of DACA students in emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act
SAN ANTONIO, TX – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has released the following statement about the exclusion of DACA students from the emergency student financial aid grants, under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and administered by the U.S. Department of Education.
On April 21, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released a Higher Education Relief Fund question-and-answer sheet that indicates only those students who are eligible for federal aid under Title IV of the Higher Education Act are eligible for emergency grants.
As an association that represents colleges and universities, many that are Hispanic-Serving Institutions, we are extremely disappointed that the emergency grants under the CARES Act excludes DACA students. This decision is counterproductive and will not help all of the 3.8 million Hispanic and other low-income and first-generation students enrolled at our institutions,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores.
We ask the Administration to be inclusive in their grant allocations and provide the necessary funding support needed by DACA college students during this pandemic. We also call upon the states to help DACA students who are in great need of assistance.”
About HACU
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain and school districts throughout the U.S. The Association’s headquarters are located in San Antonio, Texas, with regional offices in Sacramento, California and Washington D.C. HACU is the only national association representing existing and emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
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HACU Media Contact:
Norma Jean Revilla-Garcia / 210-692-3805
Christopher de Hoyos / 210-692-3805