December 3, 2020
1 min read

US varsities demand $120bn Covid-19 aid

“Over 63 per cent of college students have experienced financial losses directly or within their families due to the pandemic,” the letter said…reports Asian Lite News

A coalition of US colleges and universities has urged Congress and President Donald Trump’s administration to finalise negotiations on a Covid-19 relief with at least $120 billion for higher education.

As “the scope of the financial duress of students and institutions has only grown” due to the pandemic, schools face an increase in student financial need and Covid-specific costs, as well as a decline in enrollments and auxiliary revenues, Xinhua news agency quoted a letter signed by the American Council on Education and 100 other groups on Wednesday.

U. colleges and universities face “a crisis of almost unimaginable” scale, however, many states have cut their higher education budgets, according to the letter.

“Over 63 per cent of college students have experienced financial losses directly or within their families due to the pandemic,” the letter said, citing a study conducted by the American College Health Association and the Healthy Minds Network.

An estimate in April predicted a decline of 25 per cent of institutional revenues in auxiliary revenues, which covers revenue from room and board charges, conference and facility fees, event tickets, parking fees and bookstores, it added.

Enrolments have also decreased amid the pandemic, with a 13 per cent drop in freshmen across all US institutions, the letter said.

The development comes as the US is currently the worst-hit country by the coronavirus pandemic with the highest number of cases and fatalties, according to Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Thursday, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the country’s overall caseload and death toll stood at 13,916,543 and 273,316, respectively.

Also read:US CDC cuts quarantine period

Previous Story

Iraq, France call for easing regional tension

Next Story

India, US join hands for IP cooperation

Latest from -Top News

Trump Lashes Out Over Fragile Truce

Trump mentioned that both countries “violated” the ceasefire that was announced late Monday….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a stern warning to both Israel and Iran, accusing

Global Brands Linked to Uyghur Labour Abuse

Labour rights experts warn that global brands are failing to account for the realities of their operations…reports Asian Lite News A recent investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism has found that

Jaishankar Pays Tribute to Kanishka Victims

Jaishankar emphasised that the anniversary of the attack is a “stark reminder of why the world must show zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism.”….reports Asian Lite News On the 40th anniversary

Taliban Severs Oil Deal with China Amid Growing Friction

Several countries have recently withdrawn from Chinese-funded infrastructure and resource deals, citing quality concerns, lack of transparency, and limited benefits for local populations….reports Asian Lite News The Taliban has cancelled a $540

Qatar Summons Iran Envoy Over Base Strike

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed to Iranian Ambassador Ali Saleh Abadi that it reserves the right to respond to this flagrant violation in accordance with international law. Qatar on Tuesday summoned
Go toTop