Emergency Funds Available NOW – Application Deadline June 21, 2021
Good news: Congress recently signed into law new grants under the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that are applicable to school music programs.
There are two forms of funding under the CARES Act:
- GEER
- ESSER
Congress set aside approximately $13.2 billion of the $30.75 billion allotted to the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund). Signed into law on March 20, 2021, the Department awarded these grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs), including charter schools that are LEAs, with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools across the Nation.
Learn more about the Education Stabilization Fund at oese.ed.gov.
GEER - Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund
Learn more about the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund here.
ESSER - Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
Learn more about the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund here.
As of May 26, 2021:
The FAQs cover the allowable use of ESSER and GEER funds, including recommendations specific to music and arts programs: "An LEA might also address the needs of students arising from the COVID-19 pandemic by using ESSER and GEER funds to implement or expand arts programs, such as music programs, including purchasing instruments…”
ESSER II + ESSER III Stimulus Estimates
Conn-Selmer Website – ESSER Funds Available
Learn more about the ESSER Funds that are available on conn-selmer.com.
