April 15, 2020—The U.S. Department of Education yesterday released guidance to the states on the distribution of the nearly $3 billion made available as part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund, part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act.
New Jersey will receive $68,864,994 in GEER funds.
Governors may use the GEER proceeds to assist local education agencies, institutions of higher education and early childhood education/childcare centers that are hardest hit by the public health emergency.
The USDOE is distributing 60% of the funds based on the state’s relative population of individuals ages 5-24, while 40% is being allotted according to the relative total population. In a press statement, the department indicates that it has streamlined the application process to “delays typically associated with the award of federal grant funds.”
Further information about the GEER Fund, allocations to the states, and the application process can be accessed here.
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The New Jersey School Boards Association is a federation of the state’s local boards of education and includes the majority of New Jersey’s charter schools as associate members. NJSBA provides training, advocacy and support to advance public education and promote the achievement of all students through effective governance.