BIOTECNIKA BLOG

April 22, 2020

There has been confusion in recent days about funds allocated to
Harvard as part of the CARES Act.

Like most colleges and universities, Harvard has been allocated funds
as part of the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
Harvard did not apply for this support, nor has it requested, received
or accessed these funds.

We have previously said that Harvard, like other institutions, will
face significant financial challenges due to the pandemic and economic
crisis it has caused. We are also concerned however, that the intense
focus by politicians and others on Harvard in connection with this
program may undermine participation in a relief effort that Congress
created and the President signed into law for the purpose of helping
students and institutions whose financial challenges in the coming
months may be most severe. As a result of this, and the evolving
guidance being issued around use of the Higher Education Emergency
Relief Fund, Harvard has decided not to seek or accept the funds
allocated to it by statute.

We will inform the Department of Education of our decision and
encourage the department to act swiftly to reallocate resources
previously allocated to Harvard. While we understand any reallocation
of these resources is a matter for the Department of Education, we
hope that special consideration will be given to Massachusetts
institutions that are struggling to serve their communities and meet
the needs of their students through these difficult and challenging
times.

Harvard remains fully committed to providing the financial support
that it has promised to its students.

https://www.harvard.edu/media-relations/cares-act