CARES Act
CARES Act Education Stabilization Fund
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law, a $2 trillion package of assistance measures, including $30.75 billion for an Education Stabilization Fund. The Education Stabilization Fund allocates $151.3 million to Nebraska:
- $69.8 million to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund
- $65.1 million to the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund
- $16.4 million to the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund
Among its many provisions, four grant programs were created through the CARES Act: Education Stabilization Fund Discretionary Grants; Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund; Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; and Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
The Act includes specific funding sources for Local Education Agencies. Specifically, Section 18003 of the CARES Act establishes the Elementary Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund. The US Department of Education will award these grants to state educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (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.
This website is designed to provide information, guidance, and resources with respect to ESSER funds under the CARES Act. It will be updated as new information, guidance, and resources becomes available.
In preparation for receiving these funds, please use the following information to begin thinking strategically about your individual district needs with respect to the allowable uses of these funds. While the pandemic has had tremendous consequences for all Nebraskans, it is essential to keep equity in the forefront of your planning by prioritizing investments for vulnerable students and families, including those living in the deepest poverty, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.