The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, was enacted on March 11, 2021. The ARP Act provides additional funding for school districts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Education portion of ARP is known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III or ARP ESSER) Fund. The purpose of the ESSER III fund is to support the safe reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting students' academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
ARP ESSER Massachusetts State Plan — Approved by USED 7/7/2021
Massachusetts' ARP ESSER (ESSER III) plan was approved by the U.S. Department of Education on July 7, 2021. For those of you who gave feedback, thank you. You made our plan stronger. The ESSER III program runs through September 30, 2024. Should you wish to provide new or additional feedback between now and then, please email federalgrantprograms@mass.gov with subject line: "ESSER III feedback."
All materials needed to apply for ESSER III funds are posted with the grant RFP
ESSER III allocation amounts by district
Quick Reference Guide: District Preparation for ESSER III — July 2021
ESSER III Webinar
USED ARP ESSER Fact Sheet
USED ESSER FAQs (Use of Funds)
USED ESSER FAQs (Use of Funds for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing)
USED ESSER FAQs (Maintenance of Equity Requirements) — Revised December 29, 2021
USED ESSER FAQs (Prevent, Prepare for or Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic)
USED ESSER FAQs (Use of Funds for Student Transportation)
Letter from Secretary Miguel A. Cardona, December 16, 2021 (Re: Use of ESSER III funds to support educators)
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act provide resources to school districts to address the impact the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. This supplemental funding opportunity, the Elementary and Secondary Education Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) Fund, is intended to help school districts safely reopen schools, and measure and effectively address significant learning loss. In addition, in an effort to build capacity of public school districts and communities to facilitate integrated coordination of school and community-based resources, DESE is providing an additional $10,000 to each district for student mental health services and supports.
All materials needed to apply for ESSER II funds are posted with the grant RFP.
ESSER II Webinar
ESSER II Allocations
ESSER II Quick Reference Guide
ESSER II Frequently Asked Questions
USED ESSER II Fact Sheet
CCSSO Common Use of Funds Questions for ESSER II
The Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief I (ESSER I) Fund, authorized under section 18003 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), provides districts with emergency relief funds to address the impact that COVID-19 has had, and continues to have, on elementary and secondary schools. Districts must provide equitable services to students and teachers in non-public schools as required under the CARES Act.
All materials needed to apply for ESSER I funds are posted with the grant RFP
ESSER I allocation amounts by district
ESSER I Quick Reference Guide
Federal Grants Frequently Asked Questions regarding COVID-19 — Updated 11/20/2020
ESSER I Webinar
COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools
Fact Sheet: Use of US Department of Education grant funds for employee compensation and cancelled activities or travel
Capital Expenditure Approval Form for ESSER I, II, III
Resource Guide: Conducting Procurements with Federal Grant Funds — Revised February 4, 2022
Using ESSER Funds for Construction, Minor Remodeling, and Repairs and Maintenance
Request for Final Approval of Construction or Facilities Project or Real Estate Purchase Using ESSER Funds
ESSER Data Collection
ESSER I Equitable Services in Non-Public Schools
Fiscal Waivers
Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS)
Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS-II)
Emergency Assistance to Approved Special Education Schools (EAASES)
Last Updated: April 5, 2022
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
Disclaimer: A reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.