The Federal Communications Commission has announced a third application filing window for its Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF). The fund is a $7.17 billion program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It was created to help schools and libraries support remote learning. The Program will provide funding to schools and libraries for the reasonable 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. During the new filing period, the FCC intends to award at least $1 billion in Emergency Connectivity Fund support. The third application filing window will be open from April 28 to May 13, 2022.
This Could Be Your Last Chance To Recieve Emergency Connectivity Funding!
During this third application filing window, eligible schools and libraries can submit requests for funding. Your school or library can use these funds to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1 of this year and December 31, 2023. Given past demand, the third filing window will likely be the last opportunity for schools and libraries to request funding. This application window will likely exhaust the remaining Emergency Connectivity Funds.
“I’m excited to announce we are opening a new opportunity for schools and libraries to apply for funding in the upcoming school year through the Emergency Connectivity Fund,” said FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “We also are providing the 12th round of funding for schools and libraries for this school year, supporting another 200,000 students with devices and broadband connections. This program has done so much already and I look forward to seeing more students get the help they need for next year. Today is a great day for making progress in closing the homework gap.”
The 18-month funding window will allow applicants to reap the full benefit of existing Emergency Connectivity Fund support. These funds can be used to support off-campus learning. They also ensure students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. Total commitments to date have funded over 10 million connected devices and 5 million broadband connections. Since its June 2021 launch, the program has connected over 12.5 million students with broadband connections and equipment. The most recent funding round committed nearly $68 million to support over 140 schools and 25 libraries across the country. This included students in Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, and Puerto Rico.
Get More Details
The announcement includes $49 million in commitments from Windows 1 applications and $19 million in commitments from Window 2 applications. You can find more details on the FCC website about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments. You can also find more information about the third round of funding. Cloud-based telephone systems also fall into that category. Carolina Digital Phone is ready to help you secure your school or library’s share of funding.
Applicants who previously filed and obtained approval for ECF funding in Windows 1 and 2 will need to explain that their new requests in Windows 3 are not duplicative of Windows 1 and 2 funding.
You Have Questions, We Have Answers
If your school or library missed out on the first two deadlines to apply for a portion of the funding through the ECF, there is still time for you to apply. During the third application filing window, which will run from April 28 to May 13, 2022, eligible schools and libraries can apply for financial support to purchase eligible equipment and services for students, school staff, and library patrons with unmet needs. Carolina Digital Phone has been working with school systems, private schools, and universities for years and knows how the system works. Call one of our dedicated representatives today at (336) 544-4000 to learn more!
