Emergency Connectivity Fund

Helping Schools and Libraries
Close the Homework Gap

Funding Requests and Commitments

The Commission has committed over $7.09 billion in program funding to provide approximately 18 million students with broadband connections and equipment. 

Total commitments have funded nearly 13 million connected devices and more than 8 million broadband connections.  Learn about current funding commitments.

Thumbnail of map of ECF demand by state

The map above shows demand by state. Detailed information on the submitted applications is available in the Open Data Portal. Download the current list of ECF funding commitments approved by state and a list of total ECF broadband connections and connected devices by state (Excel files).

Post-Commitment Requests and Reimbursement

Information on Emergency Connectivity Fund invoicing decisions can be found on USAC's Open Data under “Invoicing Decision Dataset.”  The report is updated after the release of each payment file for the program. 

For more information about the Post-Commitment and Reimbursement processes, visit emergencyconnectivityfund.org, and review additional Frequently Asked Questions about the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

Media Contact

 

For more information on the ECF program and the recent Congressional funding rescission, please refer to the FAQs.

The FCC's Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) is a $7.171 billion program that helps schools and libraries provide the tools and services their communities need for remote learning. ECF provides relief to millions of students, school staff, and library patrons who currently lack necessary Internet access or the devices they need to connect to classrooms.

For eligible schools and libraries, the ECF Program will cover reasonable costs of laptop and tablet computers; Wi-Fi hotspots; modems; routers; and broadband connectivity purchases for off-campus use by students, school staff, and library patrons.

Congress authorized the Emergency Connectivity Fund as part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Eligibility

Schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries (e.g., regional or statewide groups of schools or libraries that apply together) that are eligible for support under the FCC's E-Rate Program and Tribal libraries eligible for support under the Library Services and Technology Act may request and receive support through the Emergency Connectivity Fund.

Equipment and Services Covered

Eligible equipment includes Wi-Fi hotspots, modems (including air cards), routers, devices that combine a modem and router, and connected devices (laptop and tablet computers). Schools and libraries can also receive funding for commercially available broadband service that provides a fixed or mobile broadband connection for off-campus use by students, school staff or library patrons. In limited instances, a school or library that can demonstrate it has no available service options sufficient to support remote learning may seek funding for the construction of new networks to provide remote learning and the equipment needed for datacasting services. Review the Eligible Services List for additional guidance on the equipment and services eligible for funding under the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

Webinars, Tools and Resources

FCC Actions on ECF

Bureau/Office:
Wireline Competition
Tags:
Updated:
Thursday, May 8, 2025