3rd COVID-19 Package Being Discussed

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

The government’s economic stimulus is set to quickly balloon into trillion-dollar territory in the coming days, the largest rescue in modern American history, as major industries flood the Administration and Capitol Hill for aid while huge swaths of the economy stall from the coronavirus crisis.

The size and scope of the package are morphing rapidly as the economic and market damage mounts. Senate Republicans and the White House are exploring how to fast-track existing legislation with the upcoming stimulus packages.

The Administration is expected to ask for a third package of $850 billion, which would consist of direct spending and tax breaks.

Stay tuned.

SVA Provides Background Info on GI Bill– Covid-19 Issue

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

The Student Veterans of America (SVA) has created a webpage on the issue surrounding potential problems associated with education programs moving on-line and the move’s implications on GI Bill payments to veterans. The SVA webpage is available here.

ED OCR Releases Info on How to Ensure Accessibility of On-Line Programs

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

The Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) released today information, including a webinar, on how institutions moving to on-line delivery as a result of Covid-19 can ensure that their students with disabilities can still be served.

The release from OCR is available here.

Senate Passes Bill to Address Problems in GI Bill and On-line Programs

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

The Senate adopted yesterday a bill that would address an unforeseen problem in the way in which GI Bill benefits would be calculated as a result of academic programs transitioning to on-line programs due to COVID-19. Because many of the academic programs which have transitioned to on-line delivery did so without preapproval by the state approving agency, beneficiaries would have lost out on their benefits, including their housing benefits. The legislation would address these deficiencies in the program and allow the GI Bill participants to continue to receive their benefits.

The text of the Senate-passed legislation is is available here.

The House is also working on a companion bill that addresses this problem.

Higher Ed Associations Seek Clarifications from State Dept. and DHS

Posted on March 17, 2020March 17, 2020

Yesterday, a number of higher education associations wrote to both the State Department and Department of Homeland Security asking for clarity on a number of new situations faced by international students and scholars caused by COVID-19. The letter address situations that pertain to, for example, the expiration of F-1 status, possible extension of OPT, and the ability of consulates to adjudicate applications.

The letter is available here.