YES! Program Provides $2 Million for Students Impacted by the Pandemic

CONCORD: Yes, Every Student. The New Hampshire Department of Education announced today that $2 million of the federal Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act will be utilized to support student learning that was negatively impacted by the pandemic.

“Student academic performance data coming out of the pandemic will be different than normal,” stated Commissioner of Education Frank Edelblut. “Some students thrived in pandemic learning, especially through strong home supports and the exercise of greater individual agency in their own education. Other students had difficulty accessing their education, often because of a lack of appropriate resources or an instructional model that was not conducive to their learning needs. Given these dynamics, it will be important to engage all students based on where they are, whether accelerated or having fallen behind, in a way that challenges them, is not stigmatizing, and allows them to flourish. The YES! program will do just that.”

The YES! program provides direct relief to families in need during a transitionary year as their academic and economic circumstances recover. These scholarship opportunities will allow students to have an undisrupted educational pathway.

YES! Program Details:

Details about the program can be found on the website and below.

Category 1:

• Eligible students: Public school students at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or with a disability
• Scholarship amount: $1,000 for supplemental services
• Eligible uses and education providers:
  • Tutoring provided by Department-certified educators
  • Special education therapies and services provided by Department-certified special education teachers or licensed therapists

Category 2:

• Eligible students: Private/Non-public school students (new or current) at or below 250% of the federal poverty level or with a disability
• Scholarship amount: $5,000 for a full-time education program
• Eligible uses and education providers: Tuition and fees at Department-approved private schools

Category 3:

• Eligible students: Private/Non-public school students at or below 400% of the federal poverty level
• Scholarship amount: $2,500 for a full-time education program
• Eligible uses and education providers: Tuition and fees at Department-approved private schools