Both the House and Senate have returned briefly to DC to address issues related to the US postal service, so the DC Digest will make a quick return to ensure you are informed about all the news from the Hill, as well as provide updates on initiatives from the Department of Education. Here are some other happenings from DC last week:
- Grant Program for Educational Institution Resiliency and Expanding Opportunities: The Department of Education announced a new grant program to encourage postsecondary institutions to continue promoting institutional resiliency and expanding learning opportunities for students during the coronavirus pandemic. These grants can be used in a variety of ways such as resuming operations, reducing virus spread and developing models to support students that cannot or choose not to attend in-person classes. Additional consideration will be given to institutions that offer dual credit opportunities to high school students who live in rural communities or in an Opportunity Zone.
- Department of Education Implements Student Loan Relief: President Trump’s Presidential Memorandum on August 8 required student loan payments to be halted until December 31, 2020, and the Department of Education has now fully implemented these changes. All federal students loan payments are suspended until the end of the year and interest rates will continue to remain at 0% until December 31.
- Draft of Senate Republican COVID-19 Relief Bill: On Tuesday, August 18, a draft of a new Senate Republican COVID-19 relief bill was circulated highlighting their priorities on unemployment benefits, liability lawsuits relating to the virus and funding and testing for schools. This bill has not been fully introduced and it is unclear if it will move forward. The education provisions are very similar to those in the previous Senate Republican bill introduced in late July.
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