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Category: COVID-19

ICE Continues March 2020 Guidance to 2021-22 Academic Year

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The ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced it will extend COVID-19 related flexibilities through the 2021-22 school year, including allowing continuing international students to count online classes towards a full course of study. These flexibilities were originally announced in March 2020.

An updated FAQ can be found here.

Members of the UW community with specific questions should contact ISS or ISO depending on their affiliation.

State Department Updates Visa FAQs

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The US Department of State has published updated FAQs regarding visa processing, which can be found here. Visa processing will resume as local conditions at embassies and consulates allow.

Travel restrictions remain in place for foreigners who have been present in China, Iran, Brazil, UK, Ireland, South Africa, and the 26 countries in the Schengen area within 14 days preceding arrival into the US.

Members of the UW community with specific questions about their status should contact International Scholar Operations or International Student Services.

NSF Reauthorization Introduced in House

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The House Science, Space, and Technology has introduced legislation to reauthorize the NSF. The legislation is sponsored by committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with Subcommittee on Research and Technology Chairwoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Ranking Member Michael Waltz (R-FL). It was introduced as the National Science Foundation for the Future Act. The bipartisan legislation increases overall agency funding by $2 billion, addresses key challenges for data access and accountability, security concerns, and creates a new Directorate for Science and Engineering Solutions.

A summary is available here.

American Rescue Plan Act Summary

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Yesterday President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law.  The total package is expansive and includes numerous provisions such as funding for vaccines, testing and tracing, school reopening, SNAP, housing programs, substance abuse services, and expanding the child tax credit among other relief measures. It also includes stimulus checks, supplemental unemployment insurance and support for businesses. The legislation totals about $1.9 trillion.

Some relevant provisions for higher ed include:

  • $600 million to National Science Foundation (NSF) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
  • $500 million for emergency grants for rural healthcare.
  • $150 million to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.
  • $135 million to the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).
  • $100 million to the Institute of Education Sciences (IES).
  • Nearly $40 billion to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
  • Extends the expiration of the payroll tax credit through September 30, 2021 and allows public universities to claim the credit.
  • Extends the employee retention tax credit through December 31, 2021.
  • Establishes a new fiscal recovery fund for state and local governments, with $195.3 billion dedicated for states and Washington, DC and $20 billion for tribal governments.
  • Creates a Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund administered by the Department of Treasury to carry out capital projects enabling work, education, and health monitoring in response to the pandemic.
  • $50 billion to replenish the FEMA disaster fund to assist state and local governments with National Guard deployment, vaccination, PPE, and disinfecting public spaces.
  • Makes student loan forgiveness tax-free through 2025.

Bill text is available and you can read more about specific provisions here.

 

Biden Signs COVID Legislation Into Law

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President Biden earlier this afternoon signed into law the COVID legislation.  Biden’s original plan was to sign the bill on Friday but the White House received the legislation earlier than anticipated.

You can read more here and here.