What Do K–12 Leaders Need to Know About ECF?
What Is ECF? Congress authorized the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) as part of the American Rescue Plan, but the $7.2 billion in funding is designated specifically for broadband internet service and equipment to support off-campus learning. Schools and libraries eligible for support under the FCC’s E-rate Program are eligible to apply for ECF.
What You Need to Know: Mark your calendars! A second, 15-day window for schools and libraries to apply opens on Sept. 28, 2021, and Harrington urges districts to submit an application, even if they feel unsure of the rules. Some of those rules: Funding for student devices is limited to $400 per device, although districts can combine ECF funding with ESSER funding to purchase more expensive devices. Funding for mobile hotspot devices is capped at $250 per device. There is no cap on service cost or other equipment types, including school bus Wi-Fi, but costs must be reasonable.
“The most important thing is to submit an application,” Harrington says. “You can’t go back later. The FCC has indicated that they are using a commonsense approach to this. They know that not all of the rules have been fully vetted and laid out. There will be time later to sharpen the focus, but if you don’t submit an application now, you won’t have that opportunity.”
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