Media Contact: 
Anne Veigle
anne.veigle@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ANNOUNCES OVER $12 MILLION IN EMERGENCY CONNECTIVITY FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Funding Supporting 17 Million Students Since Start of Program
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WASHINGTON, May 24, 2023— The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing over $12 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.  Today’s funding commitment supports applications from the third application window, benefiting approximately 35,000 students across the country, including students in Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas and Washington.

“While the school year is winding down, the need to get all our students connected remains a priority so kids can access online assignments and engage with teachers,” said Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.  “This program has made important progress in helping to close the Homework Gap.” 

The Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched in 2021, has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows” for schools and libraries to apply for support.  The program has helped over 17 million students get connected to their schools and teachers.  Today’s announcement will support approximately 45 schools, 5 libraries, and 1 consortium. Of the approximately $6.68 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.14 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $834 million from Window 2; and $1.71 billion from Window 3.  

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure
students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education.  To date, the program has provided support to approximately 11,000 schools, 1,000 libraries, and 120 consortia, and provided nearly 13 million connected devices and over 8 million broadband connections.

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund.

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Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov 

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).