What is it?
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized the Emergency Connectivity Fund to provide relief to students, school staff, and library patrons. This fund allows the Homework Gap to be reduced since it allows for student access to the internet and laptops, chromebooks and hotspots to pursue their education. The need for remote access, and digital learning is at a very high level, even after the shift to virtual learning during the pandemic.
Who is it for?
Remote learning is now a permanent part of student’s lives. Because of this, ECF was designed to cover acceptable costs of laptop and tablet computers; Wi-Fi hotspots; modems; routers; and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons. The FCC to date has committed more than $4.76 billion in program funding connecting over 12.5 million students with broadband connections and equipment. Total commitments to date have funded over 5 million connected devices and over 10 million broadband connections (FCC, 2022).
Who is eligible?
Schools and libraries that are eligible for support under the FCC’s E-Rate Program and tribal libraries eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act may request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund.
How do you apply?
A third ECF application filing window will open on April 28, 2022 and close on May 13, 2022. During this third application filing window, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for reimbursable funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2022 and December 31, 2023.
Interested schools and libraries can find more information and apply at www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org.
Interested in applying? Want to know more?
If you need help with the application, have additional questions, or just need further information, reach out to Grant Consulting Services, LLC. As ECF experts, we’re here and happy to help you get the funding your students need!
Resources
Emergency Connectivity Fund. (March 7, 2022). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund
Emergency Connectivity Fund FAQs (March 29,2022). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund-faqs