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GEER II (CRRSA Act), Gap Tuition Assistance and Short-term Training
On April 15, 2021, Governor Reynolds announced that she will distribute nearly $2.9 million (25%) of Iowa's discretionary GEER II funds for competitive grants to expand the Gap Tuition Assistance program, which targets education and training for in-demand careers. The details and requirements to apply for grant funds are provided in the sections that follow.
This is a one-time application for funds from the GEER II fund created by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations ACT (CRRSA). The purpose of this grant is to support community college efforts in expanding programming to help more Iowans earn short-term credentials needed for in-demand careers. All Iowa community colleges are eligible to apply. Awards will be based on the number of applications received and may be subject to modification.
Funds from this program can be spent to cover expenses between June 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2023, on a reimbursement basis. Institutional applications that are approved will receive further instruction on how to submit for reimbursement through the Iowa Grants system.
Eligible Institutions: Iowa Community Colleges. Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m. on May 30, 2021.
GEER II Gap Funds Allocation - Community Colleges
GEER II Gap Tuition Assistance Expansion Application Questions
Frequently Asked Questions CRSSA Act - GEER II Gap Program Expansion Funds
GEER II Gap Expansion Update (12-31-22)
GEER I (CARES Act)
As announced by Governor Kim Reynolds on August 7, 2020, $6.9 million from the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund has been reserved for institutions of higher education (IHEs) to improve connectivity for students or provide professional development for faculty in online instruction. The Iowa Department of Education will develop and coordinate an application process through which IHEs may apply for funding.
The $6.9 million reserved for IHEs will be divided between the following three components and used for the designated purpose. An IHE may apply for all applicable components or specific components of interest, provided the IHE meets the criteria for the component. An IHE must meet the definition of eligible institution to apply for funds.
Eligible institution: Regionally accredited, undergraduate public and private not-for-profit colleges and universities eligible for title IV funding and domiciled in Iowa.
GEER I, Component 2 - Round 2
Capacity-building and professional development - $870,000: Competitive grants to eligible institutions, or a consortium of eligible institutions, to be used to ensure equitable access to quality online courses and curriculum in postsecondary education. Funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. Recipients will have until June 30, 2022, to claim reimbursement for eligible expenses.
The project and major activities should address at least one of the following areas for Component 2:
- Promote best practices and strategies for effective online and remote instruction in postsecondary education, which may include high school teachers qualified to teach concurrent enrollment coursework, non-credit and adult basic education instructors;
- Support and train students and families, which may include credit, non-credit, adult and nontraditional students, to be successful in college/university virtual learning environments, e.g., advising, mentoring, tutoring and other support and retention strategies; and/or,
- Develop, curate, and support the adoption of open educational resources.
Individual institutions are encouraged to apply, and preference will be given to applications that demonstrate consortia-based systemic approaches or the ability to expand and share best practices with other institutions.
Component 2 - Round 2 Application
Contact for Component 2: Kelly Friesleben, 515-868-2847