Federal Relief Packages to Support Education

Page updated October 12

The federal government has provided multiple funding relief packages to address needs in state, local, and higher education systems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Each relief package has multiple funding streams that support education.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security (CARES) Act | The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020.

• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER)
• Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER)
• Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF)

Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act | CRRSA was signed into law on December 27, 2020.

• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER II)
• Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER II)
• Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF II)
• Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)

American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) | ARP was signed into law on March 11, 2021.

• Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III)
• Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF III)
• Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)

The American Rescue Plan also includes specific funding for special education, children, and youth experiencing homelessness, and Tribal educational agencies, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives.

State Aid

Two federal relief packages also provided state aid dollars that may also be directed in part to support education efforts.

• CARES Act provided the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF)
• ARP provided the State Fiscal Recovery Fund

Federal Relief Dollars by State

With all three federal relief packages, states are receiving a significant amount of funding to support both short-and long-term recovery efforts in education. The map below provides approximate allocations by state and funding stream. Some amounts, such as HEERF II and HEERF III, are still in process and are currently based on third-party estimates.