State of Montana Newsroom
Superintendent Elsie Arntzen Reminds Montana Homeschools and Private Schools to Apply for the Second Round of Federal COVID Dollars
HELENA –The second round of $11,863,324 of the total allocation of $24,479,709 federal COVID dollars to Montana’s homeschools and private schools is open until March 24. These funds are part of the federal Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) grant: EANS I, EANS II. The Intent to Apply to receive EANS II opened October 24, 2021, and closes March 24, 2022. The flexible uses to enhance learning through EANS I and EANS II funds may include staffing, tutoring, supplies, textbooks, and digital computer resources. All supplemental learning items and services must be purchased through a third-party provided by the Office of Public Instruction. Homeschools and private schools must meet economic and COVID-related qualifications to receive EANS II funds.
At this time approximately 80 nonpublic schools or homeschools have submitted their application through the Intent to Apply for EANS II.
“One size of learning does not fit all, especially in Montana,” stated Superintendent Elsie Arntzen. “The flexible uses of these federal dollars are another opportunity to recognize family choice in education while focusing on student learning.”
From March through August 2021 the first round of EANS I of $12,616,385 was granted through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA). There were 147 non-public schools that participated in the EANS I program, which consists of 124 homeschool families, 23 private schools, and a total of 3,727 students.
For more information, please contact EANS Grant Manager Janey Salomon at janey.salomon@mt.gov or ESSER/EANS Director Wendi Fawns at wendi.fawns@mt.gov.
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