BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Harvard University has announced they will be keeping and using emergency relief funds given to them by the federal government.
At the White House Coronavirus Taskforce briefing Tuesday night, President Donald Trump took issue with the $8.6 million dollars Harvard University is set to receive from the CARES Act.
“I don’t like it. This is meant for workers. This isn’t meant for one of the richest institutions, not only far beyond schools, in the world,” President Trump said.
He added that Harvard should give that money back. However, Harvard says they will not be doing that.
The CARES Act includes $14 billion meant for higher education to help colleges and universities who may be experiencing loses during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Harvard did not apply for, nor has it received any funds through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses,” the school said in a statement. “President Trump is right that it would not have been appropriate for our institution to receive funds that were designated for struggling small businesses.”
Harvard said the $8.6 million comes from the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, and that "100% of these emergency higher education funds will be used to provide direct assistance to students facing urgent financial needs due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
WBZ NewsRadio's Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports
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(Photo: Mario Jarjour/WBZ NewsRaido)