COVID-19 Outbreak

March 19, 2020
  • Advocacy
  • Financial Aid and FAFSA
  • Higher Education Act
  • Online and Distance Learning
  • Veterans and Service Members
  • covid-19
  • Federal relations

Like all of you, the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted nearly everything we do here at AACRAO. In addition to cancelling our Annual Meeting for the first time since WWII, we have moved all staff to mandatory teleworking. We hope to minimize any impacts to member services so feel free to reach out to us if we can be of help.

We continue to monitor legislative and regulatory activity here in Washington, DC. There were signs from the Senate there could be some movement on reauthorization of the Higher Education Act but that may now be a casualty of the pandemic. As part of the monumental effort to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on the economy there are a number of initiatives to help address the disruptions to higher education. These include guidance from the Education Department on financial aid flexibility, bills aimed to protect student veterans, and discussions to provide some modification of return to Title IV. We will provide updates as we learn more.

AACRAO has been around for 110 years. As one of the oldest higher education associations in the United States we have navigated the many challenges our country and higher education have faced over more than a century. The COVID-19 outbreak will test us and our institutions but there is comfort in knowing we are part of a strong community with an enduring commitment to the well being of our students. Together we will persevere. Take good care.