Just as students were headed back to campuses in southeastern Texas in late August, Hurricane Harvey struck. Many higher ed institutions evacuated students, delayed classes and extended deadlines for class registration and tuition payments.
As is common in the aftermath of a major storm, colleges that had minimal damage stepped up with disaster-relief supplies and services.
Prairie View A&M University—located about 50 miles northwest of Houston—waived late registration fees and distributed emergency grants of up to $500 for faculty, staff and students affected by the storm.
The University of Houston and Lone Star College also provided emergency relief funds for faculty and students who suffered losses.
Houston Community College gave students early access to financial aid.
Rice University provided temporary child care for staff whose children had been displaced from K12 schools.
Other colleges opened enrollment to displaced students, including institutions as far away as Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, which offered a free semester of tuition, room and board.
