• January 5, 2024

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently announced it has awarded more than $450,000 in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a program designed to provide digital tools and services to support students in communities across the country.

“The Homework Gap remains a serious challenge for today’s students and families. This funding is a vital investment that helps ensure everyone who counts on schools and libraries can get the connections they need to thrive in the digital age,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

Launched in 2021, over $7 billion in funding commitments have been approved to date through the program. This funding can be used to support learning outside of the classroom, including homework assignments and online summer learning programs. The Emergency Connectivity Funds allows schools and libraries three different “application windows” to apply for support. Of the total funding commitments approved to date, nearly $4.14 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $834 million from Window 2; and $2.12 billion from Window 3.

To date, the funding has provided nearly 13.5 million connected devices and over eight million broadband connections, ultimately helping:

For more information about the Emergency Connectivity Fund, visit www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org.

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Sources:

docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-399143A1.pdf

stnonline.com/news/fcc-releases-eligible-services-list-for-e-rate-school-bus-wi-fi-funding/#:~:text=Also%20announced%20last%20week%2C%20the,to%20apply%20for%20broadband%20connections