$618K In Emergency Impact Aid Heading to NH Schools

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Department of Education will be eligible to receive more than $618,000 from the federal government to reimburse local school districts to offset costs of educating students displaced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and wildfires in California in 2017. The funds are part of a nearly $360 million package in new federal assistance being given to 20 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands from the Temporary Emergency Impact Aid for Displaced Students program. The U.S. Department of Education is awarding funds to state agencies which will then make payments to local school districts.

“The impact of natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires goes beyond the disaster area,” said Betsy DeVos, the U.S. Secretary of Education. “The effects are felt nationwide, especially in those communities that take in displaced students and families. This additional funding will ensure schools serving displaced students are able to meet their unique needs under such difficult circumstances.”

According to the U.S. DOE, New Hampshire is eligible to receive per-pupil aid amounts of between $2,125 and $2,500 per displaced student. New Hampshire had between 22 and 99 displaced students attending classes in the state at various times during the previous school year.

“Our hearts go out to all students and families that were displaced during those tragic storms and fires,” said Heather Gage, the director of the Division of Learner Support at the NH DOE. “We are grateful to receive additional financial support to meet our students’ needs.”