Opportunity Information: Apply for ED GRANTS 041020 003
The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) opportunity under CFDA 84.425E is part of the U.S. Department of Education response to the COVID-19 disruption created by the CARES Act. It is a mandatory grant program designed to get emergency resources to institutions of higher education (IHEs) so they can provide direct financial assistance to students and support institutional needs tied to the pandemic. While the listing you provided centers on 84.425E (the student aid portion of CARES Act section 18004(a)(1)), the related Federal Register notice also references several companion HEERF components (84.425F, 84.425J, 84.425K, 84.425L, 84.425M, and 84.425N) that cover institutional aid, targeted support for specific institution types (such as HBCUs, Tribal colleges, and MSIs), and other CARES Act higher education relief authorities. Taken together, these programs were structured as formula-based allocations rather than competitive grants, meaning eligible schools generally received predetermined award amounts based on federal allocation methods, with the main “application” function being to accept the terms, provide required assurances, and complete the transmittal process.
A key point of the opportunity is the reopening and extension of the application transmittal window for institutions that had not applied during the initial period. A COVID-19 update dated 9/4/2020 cites a Federal Register notice that reopened the period for transmittal of applications for all eligible applicants until September 30, 2020. Separately, the notice language included in the description also establishes an earlier deadline of August 1, 2020 for IHEs that did not initially apply to receive their HEERF allocations under CARES Act sections 18004(a)(1), 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3). The materials also clarify an important procedural distinction: institutions included in the original allocation spreadsheet (noted as 5,136 institutions) had an August 1 deadline, while only certain “reserve schools” were allowed to submit after August 1, with a stated deadline of August 17. The text you provided includes a long list of these reserve schools and instructs applicants to consult the “Formula Allocations” section of the Department’s HEERF website to confirm eligibility and program placement.
In terms of who can apply, eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, including public and state-controlled IHEs as well as private IHEs. The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The opportunity is categorized as an education grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant; Funding Activity Category: Education) and is identified in the opportunity metadata as “ED GRANTS 041020 003,” with a creation date of April 10, 2020. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards, which is consistent with the formula-allocation nature of HEERF, where the award amounts are determined by statutory formula and agency allocation tables rather than by applicant-proposed budgets competing against one another for a capped pool.
The purpose and use of funds depend on the specific CFDA track. For 84.425E in particular, the focus is the “Student Aid portion” of section 18004(a)(1), which is intended for emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives were disrupted by COVID-19. The materials emphasize that students do not apply to the U.S. Department of Education directly for these grants. Instead, students must work through their own institution, and each institution is responsible for setting up the process for distributing the money, deciding how student grant amounts are calculated, and providing instructions to students. In other words, the federal government awards funds to schools, and schools then deliver emergency aid to students under the program rules and institutional procedures.
For official guidance, allocation tables, and program-specific details across the various HEERF components (84.425E/F/J/K/L/M/N), the opportunity points applicants to the Department’s HEERF web portal at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html. The notice also provides a support contact for application and program questions: the Department of Education HEERF Call Center at (202) 377-3711 and the email address HEERF@ed.gov, with an additional point of contact listed as Beatriz Ceja at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC. Finally, the notice states that the application and reporting/assurance processes relate to approved federal information collections under OMB control numbers 1801-0005, 1840-0842, and 1840-0843, signaling that participating institutions must comply with specific federal paperwork, certifications, and documentation requirements associated with receiving and administering HEERF funds.Apply for ED GRANTS 041020 003
- The Department of Education in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund – IHEs 84.425E" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 84.425.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-04-10.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
HEERF (CFDA 84.425E) Grant Opportunity FAQs
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) under CFDA 84.425E. It is part of the U.S. Department of Education response to COVID-19 disruptions under the CARES Act and is intended to deliver emergency resources to institutions of higher education (IHEs).
What does CFDA 84.425E specifically cover?
CFDA 84.425E is described as the “Student Aid portion” of CARES Act section 18004(a)(1). Its purpose is to support emergency financial aid grants to students whose lives were disrupted by COVID-19.
Is this a competitive grant?
No. The HEERF programs described here were structured as formula-based allocations rather than competitive grants. Eligible schools generally received predetermined award amounts based on federal allocation methods and allocation tables, rather than submitting competing proposals.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education (IHEs), including public and state-controlled IHEs as well as private IHEs.
Who is the administering agency?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Education (Office of Postsecondary Education).
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument type is a grant, and the funding activity category is education.
What is the opportunity identifier and when was it created?
The opportunity metadata identifies it as “ED GRANTS 041020 003,” with a creation date of April 10, 2020.
Does the listing provide an award ceiling or expected number of awards?
No. The listing does not provide an award ceiling or an expected number of awards, which aligns with the formula-allocation structure (award amounts determined by statutory formula and agency allocation tables).
Do students apply directly to the U.S. Department of Education for the emergency grants?
No. The materials state that students do not apply to the U.S. Department of Education directly for these grants. Funds are awarded to institutions, and students must work through their own institution to receive emergency financial aid grants.
How do students receive HEERF emergency financial aid grants?
Students receive aid through their institution. Each institution is responsible for setting up its own process for distributing the funds, determining how student grant amounts are calculated, and providing instructions to students.
What is the key procedural focus mentioned for this opportunity?
A key point is the reopening and extension of the application transmittal window for institutions that had not applied during the initial period. The materials reference a Federal Register notice that reopened the period for transmittal of applications for eligible applicants until September 30, 2020.
What deadlines are mentioned for institutions to transmit applications?
The description includes multiple deadlines: an August 1, 2020 deadline for IHEs that did not initially apply to receive HEERF allocations under CARES Act sections 18004(a)(1), 18004(a)(2), and 18004(a)(3), and a later reopening/extension noted as allowing transmittal until September 30, 2020. The materials also describe a distinction between institutions in the original allocation spreadsheet versus certain “reserve schools,” with reserve schools stated as having a deadline of August 17.
What is the difference between schools in the original allocation spreadsheet and “reserve schools”?
The materials state that institutions included in the original allocation spreadsheet (noted as 5,136 institutions) had an August 1 deadline. Only certain “reserve schools” were allowed to submit after August 1, with a stated deadline of August 17. Applicants are instructed to consult the Department’s HEERF site “Formula Allocations” section to confirm eligibility and placement.
Where should institutions confirm whether they are eligible and which HEERF component applies to them?
Institutions are directed to consult the “Formula Allocations” section of the U.S. Department of Education HEERF website to confirm eligibility and program placement.
What companion HEERF components are referenced along with 84.425E?
The related Federal Register notice referenced in the description also cites companion HEERF components: 84.425F, 84.425J, 84.425K, 84.425L, 84.425M, and 84.425N. These are described as covering institutional aid, targeted support for specific institution types (such as HBCUs, Tribal colleges, and MSIs), and other CARES Act higher education relief authorities.
What is the general “application” requirement for a formula-based HEERF allocation?
Because the program is formula-based, the “application” function is described as accepting the terms, providing required assurances, and completing the transmittal process, rather than proposing a project in a competition.
Where can applicants find official guidance and allocation tables?
The opportunity points to the U.S. Department of Education HEERF web portal for official guidance, allocation tables, and program-specific details: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/caresact.html
Who can institutions contact for application or program questions?
The materials provide a support contact: the Department of Education HEERF Call Center at (202) 377-3711 and the email address HEERF@ed.gov. An additional point of contact listed is Beatriz Ceja at the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, DC.
Are there federal reporting, assurance, or paperwork requirements tied to participating?
Yes. The notice states that the application and reporting/assurance processes relate to approved federal information collections under OMB control numbers 1801-0005, 1840-0842, and 1840-0843. This indicates participating institutions must comply with specified federal paperwork, certifications, and documentation requirements associated with receiving and administering HEERF funds.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education
Next opportunity: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Previous opportunity: Limited Competition: Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for ED GRANTS 041020 003
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (ED GRANTS 041020 003) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Institution 84.425F Apply for ED GRANTS 042120 004 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 042120 004 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| COVID-19 Small Grants Program Apply for ND NOFO 20 111 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 111 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-FIPSE CFDA Number 84.425N Apply for ED GRANTS 043020 005 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 043020 005 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-Historically Black Colleges and Universities CFDA Number 84.425J Apply for ED GRANTS 043020 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 043020 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-Minority Serving Institutions CFDA Number 84.425L Apply for ED GRANTS 043020 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 043020 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-Strengthening Institutions Program CFDA Number 84.425M Apply for ED GRANTS 043020 004 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 043020 004 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Postsecondary Education: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-Tribally Control Colleges and Universities CFDA Number 84.425K Apply for ED GRANTS 043020 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 043020 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Foundational Literacy for Improved Educational Resilience (FLIER) Apply for 72066020APS00002 Funding Number: 72066020APS00002 Agency: Democratic Republic of the Congo USAID-Kinshasa Category: Education Funding Amount: $38,000,000 |
| University Research Program for Georgian PhD Professors Apply for DOS GEO 20 CA 008 051920 Funding Number: DOS GEO 20 CA 008 051920 Agency: U.S. Mission to Georgia Category: Education Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| U.S. Embassy New Delhi North India Office PAS Annual Program Statemen Apply for ND NOFO 20 115 Funding Number: ND NOFO 20 115 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Education Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Sustainable U.S. and Palestinian Higher Education Partnerships Apply for PAUPDFY20006 Funding Number: PAUPDFY20006 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jerusalem Category: Education Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| AMERICAN ENGLISH AND CULTURE CONVERSATION COURSE FOR ADULTS Apply for PAUPDFY20009 Funding Number: PAUPDFY20009 Agency: U.S. Mission to Jerusalem Category: Education Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Programs (OSEP): Training and Information for Parents of Children with Disabilities: Parent Training and Information Centers CFDA Number 84.328M Apply for ED GRANTS 071420 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 071420 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program: Early-Phase Grants CFDA Number 84.411C Apply for ED GRANTS 072920 002 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 072920 002 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) Program CFDA Number 84.323A Apply for ED GRANTS 072920 001 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 072920 001 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE): Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Program: Early-Phase Grants CFDA Number 84.411C Apply for ED GRANTS 072920 003 Funding Number: ED GRANTS 072920 003 Agency: Department of Education Category: Education Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| USAID/Indonesia Teman LPDP Apply for 72049720RFI00002 Funding Number: 72049720RFI00002 Agency: Indonesia USAID-Jakarta Category: Education Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| USAID IMPROVED LEARNING OUTCOMES IN PRIMARY EDUCATION (USAID SABER)” Apply for RFI 72065620 Funding Number: RFI 72065620 Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) Education Programs Apply for N68335 20 0001 Funding Number: N68335 20 0001 Agency: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Div. Lakehurst Category: Education Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Integrated Youth Activity Apply for 72066321RFA00001 Funding Number: 72066321RFA00001 Agency: Ethiopia USAID-Addis Ababa Category: Education Funding Amount: $60,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "ED GRANTS 041020 003", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.