Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act & Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act
In 2020, Congress set aside approximately $3 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) Fund. The Department awarded these grants to States (Governor’s offices) based on a formula stipulated in the legislation: (1) 60% on the basis of the State’s relative population of individuals aged 5 through 24. (2) 40% on the basis of the State’s relative number of children counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act, 2021, was signed into law on December 27, 2020, and provided an additional $4,053,060,000 for the GEER Fund. The CRRSA Act provides that $1,303,060,000 of those funds be used to supplement the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER II Fund) awarded to each State with an approved GEER application under the CARES Act enacted on March 27, 2020.
84.425C
Formula
Not Applicable
Other (i.e. one-time funding): One-Time Funding
Not Applicable
Total Amount: $0
Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified): Not Specified
No
Not Applicable
Construction is authorized under Title VII of the ESEA (Impact Aid) and therefore is anallowable use of GEER and ESSER funds under sections 18002(c)(3) and 18003(d)(1)of the CARES Act, sections 312(c)(3) and 313(d)(1) of the CRRSA Act, and section2001(e)(2) of the ARP Act. The broad Impact Aid definition of “construction” includesnew construction as well as remodeling, alterations, renovations, and repairs underwhich many activities related to COVID-19 would likely fall.[1] However, the Departmentdiscourages LEAs from using ESSER and GEER funds for new construction becausethis use of funds may limit an LEA’s ability to support other essential needs or initiatives.Remodeling, renovation, and new construction are often time-consuming, which may notbe workable under the shorter timelines associated with ESSER and GEER funds.These types of activities are also subject to a number of additional Federalrequirements, as detailed below.While construction is generally allowable, it is theresponsibility of a Governor, SEA, LEA, or other subgrantee to assure that individualcosts: 1) comply with the Cost Principles in 2 CFR Part 200, subpart E (e.g., the costmust be “necessary and reasonable” (2 CFR §§ 200.403-200.404)); 2) meet the overallpurpose of the CARES Act, CRRSA Act, or ARP Act programs, which is “to prevent,prepare for, and respond to” COVID-19; and 3) are consistent with the proper andefficient administration of those programs.
A Governor may provide subgrants to LEAs and IHEs within the State that have been “most significantly impacted by coronavirus” to support their ability to continue providing educational services to their students and to support the “on-going functionality” of these entities. In addition, a Governor may use GEER funds to provide support through a subgrant or a contract to other LEAs, IHEs, and education related entities that the Governor “deems essential” for carrying out emergency educational services, providing childcare and early childhood education, providing social and emotional support, and protecting education-related jobs. An “education-related entity” is a governmental, nonprofit, or for-profit entity within the State that provides services that support preschool, elementary, secondary, or higher education. For examples of such entities, see question A-4 in Frequently Asked Questions about the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER Fund) available at:
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2020/07/FAQsGEER-Fund.pdf
Not Applicable
GEERF@ed.gov
Please carefully review the FAQs for additional guidance on GEER funds: https://oese.ed.gov/files/2022/12/ESSER-and-GEER-Use-of-Funds-FAQs-December-7-2022-Update.pdf
April 2023