The American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act authorized $7.17 billion for a new FCC program, the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) to help schools and libraries ensure students are connected to participate in online learning during the COVID-19 emergency period. The ECF application filing window is now open through August 13, 2021, during which eligible school and library applicants can submit requests for funding to purchase eligible equipment and services between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022.
Schools and libraries may apply for funding for: Eligible equipment including Wi-Fi hotspots, modems (including air cards), routers, devices that combine a modem and router, and connected devices (laptop and tablet computers). Schools and libraries can also receive funding for commercially available broadband service that provides a fixed or mobile broadband connection for off-campus use by students, school staff or library patrons. In limited instances, the FCC notes that if a school or library can demonstrate it has no available service options sufficient to support remote learning, it may seek funding for the construction of new networks to provide remote learning and the equipment needed for datacasting services as well.
If your district would like to apply for the ECF, please check out these resources:
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ASBO USA
asbousa@asbointl.org------------------------------