Meanwhile, the GEER fund is primarily for supporting salaries and operational expenses or emergency educational services for Pre-K, K–12 and higher education institutions most significantly impacted by the coronavirus. And last, the Education Stabilization Fund includes a competitive state level grant aimed at developing innovative ways for students to access K–12 education remotely, which includes funding for statewide virtual learning and course access programs.
In addition to those funds, the Department of Education also lifted the 15 percent cap on Title IV funds for computer hardware, giving districts increased flexibility to purchase computer hardware using those funds. Plus, Title I funds can now be used for non-Title I schools, and waivers allow districts to transfer Title I and II funds to Title IV.
MORE ON EDTECH: Learn about the IT investment priorities shaping today’s school districts.
Other School Funding Opportunities to Keep an Eye On
In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, a $3 trillion stimulus bill that includes critical funding to improve broadband access and close the homework gap.
If approved, the package would provide $1.5 billion through the Federal Communications Commission’s E-rate program for connectivity solutions, such as Wi-Fi hotspots, connected devices and advanced telecommunications at schools and libraries. It also includes $4 billion in FCC funding to provide monthly discounts for low-income broadband users.
Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced the Coronavirus Child Care and Education Relief Act, which includes $175 billion for K–12 schools to safely provide in-person, remote or hybrid learning to students and expand the E-rate program. Other proposed legislation to expand broadband services and improve infrastructure include the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act and the Emergency Educational Connections Act.
Service providers began partnering with schools to provide the necessary tools to bridge the digital divide after the FCC waived the E-rate program’s gift rules through Sept. 30, 2020. If your school or district is looking for other funding opportunities, check out GetEdFunding, CDW•G’s free, searchable database of grants and awards.
This article is part of the “ConnectIT: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Technology” series. Please join the discussion on Twitter by using the #ConnectIT hashtag.