How the EANS Act Can Get You Portable Classrooms
If you are a private school operating in the U.S., you should probably know about the EANS Act. And if you don’t know what it is, then we’ve got you covered! Here we break down what you may want to know about the EANS relief program and how your school can benefit from available funding.
What is the EANS grant?
EANS (Emergency Assistance to Non-public Schools) was introduced to help private schools recover from the economic hardships of the 2020 pandemic. In March of this year, the second round of $2.75 billion in funding was announced. This program comes from GEER (Governor’s Emergency Education Relief) which gives governors across the country funds that they can distribute to schools based on their financial needs.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, if you meet the following requirements, then chances are you have received or are eligible to receive a portion of EANS grant money:
- You are a non-profit, private school.
- Are an accredited or licensed school, or otherwise operate in accordance with state law.
- Your school was in existence prior to March 13th, 2020 (the date the President declared a national emergency due to COVID-19).
- You have not, and will not, apply for or receive a loan under the PPP (Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program).
All governors were required to apply for EANS funding for their state no later than February 22, 2021. Once received, governors or SEAs were to distribute information about the EANS program to non-public schools in their state. This information would include how to apply for the EANS funding, requirements, deadlines, and other criteria.
FAQs about EANS Funding
If your school has access to EANS funding, you may be considering some of the following questions:
- What can EANS funding be used for?
EANS funding is intended for the safe reopening and operation of schools. This means that it can be used for most supplies and materials. Cleaning products, sanitization materials, protective equipment, technology, and transportation are just a few services that support student’s needs during this time.
- How much EANS funding was provided to my state?
You can find the full list of EANS allocation here. The amount of money that each state received is based upon the percentage of children that come from low-income families.
- Can I use EANS funding for classroom space?
Yes! Classrooms not only provide social distancing for students but can also resolve overcrowding concerns. Since classroom space supports the health and safety of students, it can be funded by EANS.
Consider Adding Portable Classrooms to Your School
Whether you need classroom space for social distancing, or to expand capacity for testing and learning- portable classroom space is an excellent use for your EANS dollars. Here are some benefits of modular construction in particular:
- You can have a customized, ready-to-use classroom building on your campus within weeks.
- You can add to your existing facilities, or use them as standalone portable classrooms.
- Modular construction offers the option to lease or finance a building. This gives you the flexibility to stretch your grant money over time, rather than on one large expense up front.
- You have a modular building expert to guide you through the decision-making process.
- You can save money with modular, without sacrificing affordability and durability.
- You can add various other facilities, such as office space, cafeteria space, restrooms, a medical clinic, or any other space need you may have.
Federal funding can be difficult to understand. If you have further questions about the EANS Act after reading this blog, please contact your local government. We also have an experienced staff who can help assist you with your classroom needs, should you need more information on adding space to your school using your EANS funding.
Ready to solve your space needs?
Modular buildings are the way to go. Request a quote or contact us today to get the conversation started. We’d love to talk to you about how modular can meet — and exceed — your needs.