FCC Committing Additional $37 Million to Support Schools and Libraries Across the Country
FCC Committing Additional $37 Million to Support Schools and Libraries Across the Country
April 20, 2022
News
Industry News
Share
On April 19, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it is committing an additional $37 million to the Emergency Connectivity Fund to support schools and libraries across the country in helping close the Homework Gap.
The FCC’s $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund was created by the 2021 American Rescue Plan to help schools and libraries get the tools and services their communities need for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, like laptops, tablets, Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, and routers.
According to a 2018 report from the Alliance for Excellent Education, National Urban League, UnidosUS, and the National Indian Education Association, nearly 17 million public school students in the United States lack adequate access to reliable, high-speed broadband and/or internet devices. This 13th wave of Emergency Connectivity Fund support will provide aid to over 170 schools, 30 libraries, and four consortia in states like Alaska, Indiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
“Reliable and affordable access to broadband is a must for everyone, and especially for our students. I’m proud of the work we are doing to close the Homework Gap and pleased that we can offer this support for the next school year,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
To date, the Emergency Connectivity Fund has connected over 12.5 million students to the internet, and this $37 million in additional aid will help even more students in need. On April 28, the FCC will open its third application period that ends next month on May 13 for eligible equipment and services to be delivered or received in the upcoming school year. During this third application period, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and up to 12 months of recurring services between July 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023.