Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ESSER III) Fund

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.

State ESSER III Plan

• ARP ESSER Massachusetts State Plan — Approved by USED 7/7/2021

ESSER III Resources for Program Directors

• 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) — Revised December 7, 2022

• USED ESSER FAQs (Use of Funds for COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing)

• 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)

ESSER III Late Liquidation

• ESSER III Late Liquidation Quick Reference Guide

• Instructions for Completing an ESSER III Late Liquidation Request in GEM$

Last Updated: January 16, 2025