Emergency Connectivity Fund Application Window Opens

The Emergency Connectivity Fund, a program that will provide much needed relief to school districts and libraries across the country going into the 2021-2022 school year, is set to open an initial 45-day filing window on June 29. The funding, which will help to offset expenses needed to connect all students for remote and hybrid learning, is an important lifeline as schools continue to contend with the Homework Gap and learning loss going into a still uncertain next school year.

The Emergency Connectivity Fund, or ECF, is the latest effort in COVID-19 relief from the federal government, and will be administered through the E-Rate program and Universal Services. The program, which is set to provide reimbursement for purchases such as Chromebooks and hotspots, signals a continued commitment to educational access equity from the federal government.

While the initial filing window will be tight, schools that have previously used the E-Rate program will already be familiar with the process, and a streamlined application process should provide schools and districts with funding commitments early this fall.

While challenges for schools and districts will continue, and the issue of access and connectivity for all students will continue to be a priority, the ECF program is an important expansion of support from the E-Rate program.