The FCC is committing over $266 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, helping to close the homework gap. The funding supports applications from all three of the program’s application windows, supporting one million students across the country, including in Delaware, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon.
Over $12 million from the first and second application windows will provide support in the upcoming school year for approximately 15 schools and two libraries. For the third application window, the Commission is committing $254 million that will support 400 schools and 45 libraries. Total funding committed to date is nearly $5.6 billion.
The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure students have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has helped 12.8 million students, supporting approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and providing over 11 million connected devices and nearly 7 million broadband connections.
“Thanks to the Emergency Connectivity Fund, now more students across the country have the digital tools they need to support their education,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “In too many communities, kids are still struggling to get the internet and devices they need to connect with teachers and do their homework. We have to fix this. This program is helping, and I’m proud of the progress we are making to close the Homework Gap.”
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