NORFOLK, Va. — Parents in Virginia have about a month and a half to use up the $1,500 in tutoring microgrants sent out by the state.
Qualifying families received the funds to address pandemic learning loss; however, if you don’t use the funds by Dec. 30, the money will be returned.
Jessica Bradley owns the tutoring business "The Learning Place." She said she's helped students overcome pandemic learning loss.
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“With the significant deficit that was created during COVID, it’s just unreasonable to think that school systems can continue to support on that level," Bradley said.
Bradley said the grants have helped families who previously couldn’t afford tutoring.
“It’s been really rewarding and just exciting that that has been such a blessing to the families in our community," she said.
A spokesperson with the Virginia Department of Education said the grants have already provided more than 275,000 hours of tutoring for Virginia students since the program started.
But, the clock is ticking for some families to use these funds.
The state says families who received $1,500 have until Dec. 30 to use it. Those who received $3,000 have until May. Any remaining funds will be returned to the state.
“Even though we’re on a time crunch, making sure you’re spending those funds where they’re going to count the most," Bradley said.
Bradley urges parents to do their research, find a vendor that works for them and use up those funds.
“We’re seeing individual kids grow two years’ worth of academic growth in such short amounts of time because we have one-on-one hour blocks with them, which is something that can’t happen in the school system," Bradley said.
Bradley says parents can browse tutors on ClassWallet. You only have access to that if you’ve received a grant.
Applications for the microgrants are still open. The deadline for new applicants to complete their grant is May, but you have to spend at least $1 before Dec. 1. For more information, click here.