3 Things You Need to Know About ESSER Funding

On March 27, 2020, Congress set aside $13.2 billion to create the first of three Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to support students and schools across the country. Additional ESSER funds were signed into law later that year, and again on March 11, 2021, bringing the total amount of ESSER assistance to an unprecedented $188.5 billion.

While very much needed, the reality is that school districts large and small, across the country, have for a long time suffered from a lack of funding. Because of this, for many schools this historic influx of funds has been understandably overwhelming — both due to the myriad ways they can use these resources, and because of the many deadlines and procedures tied to their appropriation.

To help districts make sense of it all, we invite you to read below for answers to a few frequently asked questions when it comes to ESSER funding.

1. How can I spend my ESSER funds?

As the federal government passed each new round of ESSER funding (I, II and III), the amount of approved use cases continued to expand. While the specificity of each can get confusing, as a whole, schools are given a great deal of autonomy in how they use their ESSER resources, as long as their choices can be justified under the following two use cases:

• Helping students recover from pandemic-related academic and social losses in an effective and evidence-based way
• Supporting the healthy and safe operation of day-to-day school activities

Additionally, the ESSER III round of funding, representing $122 billion in aid, stipulates that districts must use at least 20% of their ESSER funding to address the “academic impact of lost instructional time through the implementation of evidence-based interventions.” This could include options like high-quality out-of-school-time (OST) programming, tutoring assistance and accelerated learning programs.

A few examples of how schools are using their ESSER funds include:

• Hiring additional educators and support personnel
• Purchasing learning equipment including laptops and tablet computers
• Purchasing cleaning and sanitation supplies to maintain a safe learning environment
• Providing meal assistance for students in need

To confirm your ESSER use case is appropriate, visit the Department of Education’s website, or contact your state’s respective Department of Education.

2. When do I need to use my ESSER funds?

Each round of ESSER funds must be spent within a certain time period, also known as the “period of availability.” The deadlines for these are as follows:

• Title I – Sept. 30, 2022
• Title II – Sept. 30, 2023
• Title III – Sept. 30, 2024

All ESSER fund types must be liquidated within 18 months following each respective availability period. “Liquidation” means that a school pays for and receives reimbursement for services provided.

3. What do LEA and SEA stand for, and how do they work together to appropriate ESSER funds?

LEA stands for Local Education Agency and includes things like school districts, charter schools and county offices of education. SEA stands for State Education Agency and refers to a state’s Department of Education.

While the relationship between the two differs from state to state, when it comes to ESSER funding, each receives an allotted amount of funds to use within the approved guidelines. As an LEA, you are encouraged to contact your SEA and read the guidelines they have provided concerning the use of your ESSER resources.

4. How do I apply for ESSER funds for my district?

While most of your school’s allotted ESSER funds have already been distributed to you, a small amount is held by your SEA. You are able to apply for these funds using an application process available on your SEA website.

Looking to Maximize the Impact of Your ESSER Funds?

Need help navigating the complexities of ESSER? Contact us today to speak to one of our knowledgeable invention education specialists who can help you every step of the way!