$30.75 Billion. That sounds like a lot of money. Included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that Congress passed, approximately $30,750,000,000.000 was appropriated for education. See how big it looks when you write it out? It looks even bigger when you realize that this money comes with very few strings attached. Here’s how the funding shakes out:
- $13 billion for K–12 state education agencies
- $14 billion for institutions of higher education
- $3 billion for governors to support K–12, higher education, and other education-related entities
- $600 million for states with the highest coronavirus burden, Bureau of Indian Education, and outlying areas
The amount of cash delivered to individual states and districts will be based on the amount of Title I money each state or district receives. States are required to give at least 90 percent of their cash to school districts.
Now here’s the thing – the money can be used for any purpose outlined in any of the following laws:
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act
- McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Act
- Native Hawaiian Education Act; Alaska Native Educational Equity, Support, and Assistance Act
- Adult Education and Family Literacy Act
