On April 14, 2020, the United States Department of Education (USDE) announced the process for Governors to attain funds from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER Fund) The fund was allocated out of the CARES Act at $2,953,230,000. A state-by-state allocation of the GEER Fund can be found here.
The allocation is based on 60% based on the State’s population of individuals aged 5 through 24; and 40% based on the relative number of children counted under section 1124(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended (ESEA).
These funds are specifically allocated to:
Provide emergency support through grants to the LEAs that the State educational agency (SEA) deems to have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19 to support the ability of such LEAs to continue to provide educational services to public and non-public school students and to support the on-going functionality of the LEA;
Provide emergency support through grants to IHEs serving students within the State that the Governor determines have been most significantly impacted by COVID-19 to support the ability of such institutions to continue to provide educational services and support the ongoing functionality of the institution; and
Provide support to any other IHE, LEA, or education-related entity within the State that the Governor deems essential for carrying out emergency educational services to students for authorized activities described in section 18003(d)(1) of the CARES Act or the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), the provision of childcare and early childhood education, social and emotional support, and the protection of education-related jobs.
To receive the State’s allocation under the GEER Fund, a Governor must submit a signed PDF Certification and Agreement, by email, to the U.S. Department of Education (Department) at GEERF@ed.gov no later than June 1, 2020. The Certification and Agreement must include the following:
A completed Certification and Agreement cover sheet that includes the signature of the Governor or authorized representative. (Part A)
Programmatic, fiscal and reporting assurances. (Part B)
Information on the uses of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds. (Part C)
Other assurances and certifications. (Part D)
The full certification and Agreement can be found here.
The USDE also issued the notice announcing the availability of the GEER Fund and included that, “Each State’s Certification and Agreement will be processed as it is received and funds will be awarded on a rolling, highly-expedited basis with the expectation that States will also use every effort to grant funds to address exigent student needs. Once states have submitted the signed PDF, the Department expects to obligate the funds within three business days.
In a written letter to Governors, Secretary DeVos encouraged, “each and every governor to focus on continuity of education for all students. Parents, families, teachers and other local education leaders are depending on their leadership to ensure students don't fall behind."
Each Governor will have one year, from the date of the State’s award, to award funds. Any funds not awarded by the Governor within one year of receiving the State’s award will be returned to the Department for reallocation.
Keep checking back to K20Connect for updates as more applications, information, and funds are available.
