Pandemic Relief Funds for Education

Discussion group of multiethnic children in library talking to teacher.

The federal government has created a number of funding sources under the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) and the CRRSA Act (Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations, also known as the CARES II Act) so that schools and districts across the country can address pandemic-related disruptions and special needs. Below are brief descriptions of the different funds and what they may be used for.

Your Great Books Foundation educational consultant is available to discuss appropriate uses and any documentation you may need to complete to use these funds. Please do not hesitate to contact us at any time!

ESSER

(Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief)

Districts can spend ESSER funds on a wide range of goods and services. The Great Books Foundation provides classroom materials and professional development services that are appropriately covered by these categories:

  • Education technology
  • After-school and summer programs
  • Programs for special student populations, including English language learners, children with disabilities, and children with socioeconomic disadvantages. (All Junior Great Books® programs can be adapted to meet the needs of children at a great variety of learning levels.)

For additional details, the US Department of Education provides a comparison of ESSER and ESSER II funds.

GEER

(Governor’s Emergency Education Relief)

Governors have wide discretion in allocating GEER funds. They are intended for districts that the state deems to have been most significantly impacted by the pandemic in order to enable these districts to continue providing educational services to both public and non-public schools.

GEER funds:

  • Can be used for pre-award costs dating back to March 13, 2020
  • Are available for governors and subrecipients through September 30, 2023
  • Can be disbursed to local educational authorities that the state considers to have been most significantly impacted by coronavirus
  • Can help provide early childhood education and social and emotional support

For more details, here is a fact sheet on the GEER and GEER II funds.

EANS

(Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools)

Part of GEER, the EANS program helps state education agencies (SEAs) procure and provide services to eligible non-public schools to address the impact of the pandemic. SEAs are responsible for administering the EANS grant program, with oversight by state governors.

EANS funds have already been allocated to SEAs. EANS funds can be used for:

  • Educational technology that supports students and educators with hybrid learning
  • Addressing pandemic-related learning loss
  • Creating instructional plans for remote and hybrid learning
  • Support or assistance for remote learning and hybrid learning

To secure EANS funding, non-public schools must complete their state’s application(s). These are available on a state-by-state basis. We can help you complete the paperwork required to request funding through your state education agency.