Client Alert: What Colleges and Universities Can Expect from the American Rescue Plan

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan—his first major legislative proposal since taking office—on Thursday, just one day after the final version of the bill cleared Congress.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 marks the nation’s third COVID-19 stimulus relief package. At $1.9 trillion, the package is more than twice the size of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) passed in December 2020, but slightly smaller than the initial $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020.

While not the largest COVID-19 relief package to date, with roughly $39.6 billion in aid to colleges and universities,[1] the American Rescue Plan directs more money toward institutions of higher education than either of the two previous stimulus packages. This is less than the $97 billion sought by the American Council on Education which nonetheless praised the legislation.[2] The bill commits significant money in direct aid to institutions while also making notable policy changes related to the GI Bill and student loans.

To view the full client alert, click here

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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

Client Alert: What Colleges and Universities Can Expect from the American Rescue Plan

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan—his first major legislative proposal since taking office—on Thursday, just one day after the final version of the bill cleared Congress.

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 marks the nation’s third COVID-19 stimulus relief package. At $1.9 trillion, the package is more than twice the size of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) passed in December 2020, but slightly smaller than the initial $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020.

While not the largest COVID-19 relief package to date, with roughly $39.6 billion in aid to colleges and universities,[1] the American Rescue Plan directs more money toward institutions of higher education than either of the two previous stimulus packages. This is less than the $97 billion sought by the American Council on Education which nonetheless praised the legislation.[2] The bill commits significant money in direct aid to institutions while also making notable policy changes related to the GI Bill and student loans.

To view the full client alert, click here

Related Capabilities

Related Locations

© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.

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