The new stimulus bill, Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA), earmarks $2.75 billion for non-public schools. Here’s what non-public schools can anticipate from the Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS) program.
How funds will be distributed:
Within 30 days of receiving the EANS funds, State Education Agencies will release an application so that non-public schools can apply for services or assistance. Find out how much your State will receive here.
Who is eligible:
Non-public elementary or secondary schools that are non-profit, accredited/licensed, and existed before March 13, 2020. In order to be eligible, non-public schools must provide an assurance they did not, and will not, apply for a PPP loan.
States must prioritize non-public schools serving students from low-income families and are most impacted by COVID-19.
How EANS funds can be used:
- Cleaning schools, PPE, training on sanitation
- Improving ventilation
- Physical barriers for social distancing, including leasing space
- Coronavirus testing and contact tracing
- Education technology for remote/hybrid learning (hardware, software, connectivity)
- Redeveloping instructional plans, including curriculum development
- Initiating and maintaining education and support services for remote/hybrid learning
- Remediating learning loss
- Reimbursement for allowable expenses incurred after March 13, 2020
Download our Guide to Federal COVID-19 Relief Bills for K-12 Education
Who controls the funds?
The legislative language is clear that non-public schools are applying for services or assistance. The actual funding, as well as title to materials purchased, will remain in control of a public agency. Provision of services or assistance must be independent of the non-public school. All services, assistance, equipment, and materials must be secular, neutral, and non-ideological.
What does this mean for Equitable Services?
Local Education Agencies are required to offer equitable services to non-public school students with funding from the CARES Act. However, districts are not required to provide equitable services to non-public schools with funding from the second stimulus (CRRSA).
The Savvas Funding Team has put together a handy Guide to Federal COVID-19 Relief Bills for K12 Education
Read Grace Stopani’s blog on the CARES vs Second Stimulus: What’s Different for K-12?
