The electronic application for EANS funds through the DPI WiseGrants portal is expected to open March 12 and will list an estimated amount of funding per private school, according to DPI staff who met with WCRIS Thursday (2/18).
The DPI is dividing the state’s $74 million allocation based on a calculation first proposed by WCRIS soon after the law was passed December 27.
Private school principals can begin planning how to use their EANS funds based on a $480 per-pupil allotment. Low-income pupils will be allotted an additional $480 each, for a total of $960.
Student low-income status will be based on information that was gathered during the ESSER pandemic relief funds process last year.
Under the new EANS law, school districts will NOT be involved. All EANS funds will flow directly from DPI, which is working with CESAs to see how they may act as EANS administrators for new purchases of goods or services, since DPI does not have the apparatus to facilitate that.
Receiving EANS funds does NOT constitute federal financial assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
However, private schools must deploy their EANS funds via the 12 allowable uses outlined by the federal government. The school’s COVID-19 related expenses are reimbursable back to March 13, 2020. Schools may be required to provide purchase receipts, and proof of payment (canceled check; credit card or bank statement, etc.)
Immediately, there are several things schools can do to prepare for the EANS application debut. Click here for what you can do now to prepare.
