Rep. Cleaver Highlights Missouri Colleges and Universities Have Received Nearly $668 Million Thanks to Democrats’ American Rescue Plan

March 8, 2022
Press Release

(Washington, D.C.) – As we approach the one-year anniversary of the historic American Rescue Plan, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) highlighted a report from the White House showing that the landmark rescue package has delivered nearly $668 million to 132 Missouri colleges and universities in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. These critical investments—at least half of which are being used to provide direct financial relief to students—are helping institutions of higher education, including HBCUs and community colleges, safely stay open and operational, prevent price increases, and keep students on track to graduate and join the workforce. Colleges and universities in the Fifth Congressional District have received nearly $78 million thanks to the Cleaver-supported American Rescue Plan.

"At a time when Missouri students, colleges, and universities were facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I was proud to cast my vote for the American Rescue Plan, which has now delivered nearly $668 million to higher education institutions, including HBCUs and community colleges, across the Show Me State," said Congressman Cleaver. "This federal funding has provided the combined benefit of financial relief to help students continue their educational aspirations and the necessary resources to ensure students, educators, and frontline staff can safely operate in the classroom. As the Biden-Harris Administration continues its work to support America's students and our world-class institutions, they have an ally in me and the people of the Fifth Congressional District of Missouri."

After President Biden took office, the American Rescue Plan delivered one of the largest one-time infusions of funding ever provided to American colleges and universities, which helped ensure institutions could safely reopen and stay open for good. Distributed by the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), these investments are already having a major impact. A recent survey of college presidents by the American Council on Education found that HEERF enabled:

  • 93% of colleges to provide direct financial support to students at risk of dropping out;
  • 81% of colleges to keep student net prices similar to pre-pandemic levels;
  • 70% of colleges to continue to employ faculty, staff, and other employees otherwise at risk of unemployment; and
  • 63% of colleges to keep students and faculty safe by purchasing COVID-19 tests, health screenings, and health care.

Some of the 132 colleges and universities from Missouri receiving funds under the American Rescue Plan include:

  • University of Missouri – Columbia: $43,473,426;
  • Missouri State University: $43,061,588;
  • Metropolitan Community College: $34,488,153;
  • University of Missouri – Kansas City: $22,779,476;
  • Harris – Stowe State University: $20,222,823;
  • Lincoln University: $18,116,034; and more

"As we have learned during the global pandemic, students learn best when they're in the classroom—and the American Rescue Plan has been instrumental in the safe reopening of colleges and universities throughout Missouri, in addition to providing desperately needed financial relief to students," said Congressman Cleaver.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee; Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance; member of the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress; member of the Committee on Homeland Security; and a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.