The CARES Act & the Education Stabilization Fund

Passed in late March 2020, the CARES Act made stimulus funding available for K–12 schools and districts through two funds: the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund and the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) fund. This stimulus funding may be used for a variety of purposes.

the cares act

Use CARES ESSER Funds to ensure learning continuity with Amplify.

Amplify helps school leaders bridge the gap between classroom learning and remote learning by providing flexible, high-quality instructional materials. These six CARES Act spending categories specifically align with Amplify programs and trainings. For a full list of allowable uses, please review this document from the U.S. Department of Education. 

Amplify is an allowable expense. All Amplify programs and trainings meet these six CARES Act ESSER requirements:

 
Allowable use #1
Activities that support federal requirements, including ESEA; Title I, II, III, and IV; and the CARES Act
Allowable use #3
Resources for principals and school leaders to address school needs
Allowable use #4
Services for at-risk or minority students
Allowable use #12
Activities that help districts maintain operations, services, and employment
Allowable use #11
Summer school and after-school summer programs for at-risk and minority students
Allowable use #9
Edtech software to support online learning

For a downloadable version, click here.

CARES Act funding FAQ

If you are curious about CARES Act funding and whether you can use it to purchase Amplify programs, please review the following questions and answers. We are also happy to help you with specific application questions. To speak with our team, please contact us by phone at (800) 823-1969.

 

  • I would like to make a purchase, but how do I proceed if my budget has been reduced?

  • How can I access CARES Act funding?

  • Are you sure Amplify programs are eligible?

  • What if my school or district is planning to spend our funding on devices and broadband access?

  • Can you help us fill out an application?

  • We already submitted our application. Is it too late to spend the money with you?

  • Do you have any information about the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER)?

  • Do you have any information about the The Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER)?

K–12 CARES Act application processes by state: ESSER

The ESSER Fund was established as part of the Education Stabilization Fund in the CARES Act so state educational agencies (SEAs) can award subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) to address the impact of COVID-19. We have compiled the following published state guidance for K–12 CARES Act applications. Where we could not verify published guidance on dates or applications, we recommend you contact the state department of education for more information. We are also happy to help you with specific application questions. To speak with our team, please contact us by phone at (800) 823-1969.

State Guidance LEA subgrant application posted Due date
AL Yes, an FAQ is posted here. Yes. It is available here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
AK Yes, the guidance is here. Yes. The application is live in the grant management system as of 02/16/21. 04/30/21
AZ Yes, the PowerPoint from a webinar is here. Yes, the application is open in the GME.                            Additionally, the DOE is hosting a webinar about the ESSER II application. You can register here on 02/24/21. Not at the time of this writing.
AR Yes, a presentation with general guidance is here. Yes, the application/addendum is available in AR’s grants management system. The completed addendum is due 02/01/21.
CA Yes, guidance is available here. Yes. This information explains it’s been posted and LEAs need to fill out assurances, then will get an individual password. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
CO Yes, the guidance is here. A fact sheet is here. Yes, the application is available in the grant management system here. 09/30/21
CT Yes, guidance is available here. Yes. Applications are available here. Posted due date: 07/23/20.
DE No, not at the time of this writing. Check here for updates. Yes, the application has been released to LEAs on an internal grant application system. LEAs have one year from the date of state application to complete the sub-grant application. Approximately a year from now. Please check with DOE for more information.
GA Yes, the state has posted an FAQ here. Yes, the application can be accessed here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
FL No, not at the time of this writing. Check back here for updates. This says that the toolkit was released 06/11; we’re currently trying to locate that toolkit on the FLDOE website According to this document, LEAs must submit the CARES Toolkit by 06/30
ID Yes, ID DOE has posted a PDF of its slide show from a webinar here. Yes, the application is located here. Information about the application process is located here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
IN Yes, guidance is available here. Yes. The application is posted to this portal. Posted due date: 06/30/20. Please check with DOE for more information.
IL Yes, the board posted guidance that can be accessed here. The application is available on a username/password gated site. Applications are due 6/30. Please see the application available on the username/password gated site.
IA Yes, general guidance is available here. LEAs only have to complete “assurances” for this round of ESSER funds: Since CRSSA’s ESSER II is a supplement to ESSER I, districts with an approved ESSER I application do not need to apply for ESSER II. However, they must complete assurances in the CASA system
about the use of CRRSA Act funds.
01/31/21
KS Yes, the state published this link to a webinar on 5/4. Yes, the application is posted here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
KY Yes, guidance for GEER funds are available here. KY awarded its CARES Act funds (GEER funds only) via Title I allocation. Please see information posted here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
LA Yes, guidance is available here. LA’s CARES Act (ESSER) funds have been released under the “strong start” initiative. Under this model, LEAs can apply for their share of federal CARES funds and competitive state incentive grants. Yes, LA posted application materials here. It is our understanding that LA’s application process has closed. However, check with the DOE for related application updates and additional information here.
MA Yes, the ESSER website is here. Yes. Application information is available here. 03/31/21
ME Yes, a general FAQ for both ESSER I and ESSER II is here. Yes, it is available in their grant management system. Not at the time of this writing.
MI Yes, an FAQ is available here. Yes, the application was made available in the MEGS+ portal on 05/08. The due date for the application is 9/30.
MN As of this writing, we could not locate guidance. Please check with DOE for more information. Yes. The ESSER application is available here and the GEER application is available here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
MO Yes, the general website with various ESSER II links is here. Yes, the application is posted in their grant management system. Not at the time of this writing.
MS Yes, guidance is available here. Yes, the application is available on a grants platform. Posted due date: 07/10/20.
MT Yes, it is available here. Yes, the application is available. Not at the time of this writing.
NV Yes, guidance is available on pages 4-5 here. Yes, the application is posted, according to this document. Here is another document on the ESSER app. Posted due date: 07/31/20.
NH Yes, guidance is available here. Yes, guidance is posted here. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
NJ Yes, guidance is available here. Yes, the applications is available in the Electronic Web Enabled Grant (EWEG) system here. The due date is 6/19/20.
NY Yes, preliminary guidance is available here. Yes. The press release is located here.

They are asking that LEAs submit the application through this portal.

Posted due date: 8/15/2020.
NM Yes. It is available here. Yes, the website is here.

The application, in the grant management system, is here.

Not at the time of this writing. However, a set of instructions for applying is here.
NC Yes, guidance is available here. As of this writing, we could not locate an application. Please check with DOE for more information. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
ND Yes, guidance is available here. Yes, the application is available here. The due date is 8/1.
OK Yes, see this guidance as outlined on 5/11. Yes, the application is posted on the GMS page, and further information should be posted on the DOE federal grants page. Please check with DOE for more information. . Posted due date: 06/30/20
OR As of this writing, we could not locate guidance. Please check with DOE for more information.  Yes, the application is available here. Posted due date: 05/31/21.
PA Yes, it is here. Yes, the application is available in the grant management system. Not at the time of this writing.
RI No, not at the time of this writing. They have posted a “soft public release” here. Posted due date: 10/31/20.
SC Yes, guidance is available here. The allocation for each LEA is here. Yes. Information is available here. Posted due date: 07/31/20.
SD Yes, guidance is available here and here. Yes, here are instructions for the application. The grant system can be found here. Please check with DOE for more information. . As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information
TN Yes, a general Q&A is here.
Application guidance is here.
Yes. The application is open in ePlan. 03/01/21
TX Yes, please see this link for more information. Yes, it is a two part grant. Part I is here, what LEAs plan to spend, when it will be spent, and equitable services. Part II is here, the budget portion. Posted due date: 08/24/20.
UT Yes, guidance is available here. Yes. Please check with DOE for more information. Posted due date: 6/30/20.
VT Yes, guidance is available here with updates posted here. Recent federal funding guidance is available here. Yes. The announcement is available here. LEAs are directed to the Grant Management System. As of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
VA Yes, guidance is available here. Yes, LEAs may submit reimbursement requests to the DOE via the OMEGA system. Application guidance is available here. Reimbursement requests must be submitted to the DOE by November 15, 2022.
WA Yes, OSPI released guidance on 5/8 as found on this state website, entitled “preliminary guidance and estimates for school districts” as an xls). Click on this link for more. Yes, it appears so. Please find the information here.   Response to an email recieved 06/09 stated: “Our timing is dependent upon approval from the fiscal department of the Governor’s office. Once we receive approval, districts will be able to apply for the grant and funds can be obligated until 09/30/22.” The website states: “ESSER Funds are available to districts as soon as their application is approved by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and all funds must be obligated by September 30, 2022.
WV Not at the time of this writing. We expect it to be posted here. Allocations are available here. Please check with DOE for more information. Not at the time of this writing.

Last updated: March 2, 2021

K–12 CARES Act application processes by state: GEER

The CARES Act provides these funds for governors to provide emergency support via grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) that the state educational agency (SEA) deems have been most significantly impacted by the coronavirus. We have compiled the following published state guidance for K–12 GEER Fund applications. For information regarding specific state requirements, including allowable expenses, please see the state application column for further details. Where we could not verify published guidance on dates or applications, we recommend you contact the state department of education for more information. We are also happy to help you with specific application questions. To speak with our team, please contact us by phone at (800) 823-1969.

State State application and related state guidance Due date
AL Yes, the application is available here. It is a rolling due date. LEAs have one year to spend funds from the date of allocation.
AK Yes, it was posted in May here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
CO Yes. Gov Polis released details about use of $32M in GEER funds for the RISE Education Fund. The application is available here. Two posted due dates: 10/17/20 and 12/19/20.
FL Yes, a toolkit is available. The toolkit was due 06/30/20, but the budget period is through 08/30/20.
GA Governor Kemp announced the first distribution of GEER funds. Please check here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
IL Yes. This news release indicates that the GEER application has been released. It appears to be here. Posted due date: 08/20/20
IN Yes. The application is available here. The general GEER page is here. Posted due date: 07/17/20
KY Yes. The application is available here. Posted due date: 07/31/20
LA The LA grant management sysrtem is available here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
ME The Coronavirus Relief Fund application guide is available here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
MI Yes, information is available here. Posted due date: 12/30/2020.
MD Yes. The application is available here. Posted due date: 07/29/20
MN Yes, it is available on this system. Not at the time of this writing.
MS Yes, the applications can be found here. Not at the time of this writing
NV Coronavirus Relief Funding information is available here. Posted due date: 08/26/20
NJ Yes, it is available here. Not at the time of this writing.
NY Per this release, GEER applications have been released. LEAs can access the application here. An FAQ is published here. Posted due date: 08/15/20
NC No, not at the time of this writing. Not at the time of this writing.
OH Yes, it can be found here Not at the time of this writing
OK It is posted. Posted due date: 06/22/20
PA The link to this grant application page is available on their CARES Act website. Please check back here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.
TN This press release states it has been posted. Please check here. At the time of this writing, we could not locate a due date. Please check with DOE for more information.

Last updated: March 2, 2021