Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Response and Relief Appropriations Act was passed and implemented on December 27, 2020. One form of relief that came out of this act was Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) funding.
Private schools across the nation have received this funding. But, some may not know how they can spend it or their options. STEM Sports® created an informational article about EANS and how it can be used to purchase STEM curricula.
What Is EANS Funding?
EANS funding is part of the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. The Office of Elementary & Secondary Education explains the distribution of the $2.75 billion as follows, “the Department will award grants by formula to each Governor with an approved Certification and Agreement to provide services or assistance to eligible non-public schools to address the impact the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on non-public school students and teachers in the State.”
The goal of EANS is to assist schools and educators in rebuilding following the pandemic, which made and continues to make an impact on the education system. EANS I was released in 2020 in immediate response to the global pandemic. The following year, EANS II was approved for an additional $2.75 billion for private schools.
What Schools Are Eligible for EANS Funding?
Eligibility for EANS I and EANS II are slightly different because their target private schools shifted based on the current stability of certain schools and families. There are many resources that are helping educators and schools navigate if they are eligible for EANS funding and how to apply.
Catapult Learning created an easy to follow and helpful guide to help see if you are eligible for EANS I, EANS II, or both. Below is their list to check your eligibility for funding for your school:
EANS I Eligibility
- All nonprofit private schools should be eligible for EANS I funding, but can only receive Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Round 2 OR EANS I -schools are not eligible to receive both.
- If you received PPP Round 1 funding, you are still eligible for EANS funding.
- If you received PPP Round 2 funding, your school is not eligible for EANS I funding.
- Schools do NOT have to be receiving Title 1 funding to receive EANS funding. All nonprofit non-public schools should be able to apply.
EANS II Eligibility
- Participation in EANS II is limited to private schools that enroll a significant percentage of students from low-income families AND are most impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
- Recent guidance issued for EANS II funding suggests schools that received PPP Round 2 funding will likely not be eligible for EANS II funds.
- Schools do NOT have to be receiving Title 1 funding in order to receive EANS II funding. All nonprofit non-public schools should be able to apply.
FACTS also points out an important distinction between EANS I and II. They state, “recipients of EANS 2.0 can only use the funds for future expenses, not as a reimbursement for past expenses (which was a feature of the first round of EANS funds). There’s also an added emphasis on sending funds to non-public schools that serve a significant number of low-income families”
If you are eligible for EANS, click here to fill out your application.
What Can EANS Funds Be Used For?
EANS funds have a specific list of what they can be used for. That was intentionally done to ensure that the funding is used in direct response to the pandemic and is making the school a safe and effective place for student learning.
The EANS funding you receive can be used for things on the list below:
- Supplies to sanitize, disinfect, and clean school facilities
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Improving ventilation systems, including windows or portable air purification systems
- Training and professional development for staff on sanitization, the use of PPE, and minimizing the spread of infectious diseases
- Physical barriers to facilitate social distancing
- Other materials, supplies, or equipment recommended by the CDC for reopening and operation of school facilities to effectively maintain health and safety
- Expanding capacity to administer COVID testing to effectively monitor and suppress the virus
- Educational technology
- Redeveloping instructional plans, including curriculum development, for remote or hybrid learning, or to address learning loss
- Leasing sites or spaces to ensure safe social distancing
- Reasonable transportation costs
- Initiating and maintaining education and support services or assistance for remote or hybrid learning or to address learning loss
Difference Between ESSER Funds and EANS Funds
As stated above, EANS funds were created and distributed to individual private schools based on eligibility and other factors. This is different from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) fund which was distributed to state educational agencies (SEAs) for the purpose of providing local educational agencies (LEAs). To simply sum it up, EANS funding was created for private schools while ESSER funding was created for public schools.
If you are interested in learning more about ESSER funds, click here to read a STEM Sports® blog about this.
STEM Curriculum by STEM Sports®
STEM Sports® provides cross-curricular education for K-8 students in the classroom, in afterschool programs, in summer camps, and at home. Our curriculum utilizes hands-on learning and real-world examples to increase student engagement and retention.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many schools had to close and all education was moved online. During this time, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects had the largest loss of knowledge and decline. This makes it even more essential now to provide a quality STEM curriculum to students.
The STEM Sports® curriculum aligns with the qualifications for EANS spending. If you are an educator or facilitator looking to purchase a STEM curriculum using your EANS funding, click here.
More STEM Curriculum Information
Looking for more information on STEM curriculum for schools? Check out our guides on the 9 hidden benefits of STEM curriculum, the Importance of STEM Education, and How to Create a Sports Lesson Plan.
