Technology investments are never a one-time expense, and with the elimination of ESSER funds this month, school leaders must find new ways to meet the growing demand for supporting students and teachers through tech. Here are two programs you can apply for now to help keep students connected at home and improve your school’s cybersecurity solutions.
District Administration recently had the chance to speak with Cathy Cruzan, president of Funds for Learning, a professional firm that specializes in helping schools, libraries and state consortia secure federal funding for internet access. For the past 24 years, Cruzan has been an advocate for internet access, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities.
In this Q&A, Cruzan will give you insight into these two new programs from the Federal Communications Commission and tips on how to apply for them.
Note: The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.
With the elimination of ESSER funds in September, are schools in a good spot to sustain their critical tech investments?
Schools’ needs will vary following the conclusion of the final round of ESSER funds, depending on how the funds were spent to address local needs. Anywhere funds were used by schools for ongoing costs may result in significant financial strain on budgets to continue those ongoing services or salaries.
Technology investments are never a one-time expense, as schools continually strive to meet the growing demand. Increased numbers of devices necessitate additional bandwidth and infrastructure to maintain a reliable network.
Student learning now occurs both in the classroom and online, and many schools struggle to support this dual environment. To continue supporting teachers and students effectively, schools must seek funding from all available sources. Some of the new funding opportunities include the off-campus Wi-Fi hotspot funding for services and devices, recently adopted by the Federal Communications Commission and the Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
Tell us about the two new FCC rulings. How can leaders tap into these programs and how will they help schools in 2024-25? Also, who is eligible?
All K12 schools and libraries that meet (or those who qualify) the E-rate program eligibility requirements are also eligible to apply for funding support in the Cybersecurity Pilot Program and the recently adopted expansion to the E-rate program for off-campus Wi-Fi hotspot funding.
In July the FCC adopted the Report and Order to expand the E-rate program to include support for connectivity for students, school and library staff beyond the classroom. Applicants seeking funding for Wi-Fi hotspot services and devices can do so under the same rules as the E-rate program, subject to a new three-year budget and funding cap. Funding is limited to Wi-Fi hotspot technology only.
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The Cybersecurity Pilot Program will provide $200 million in funding over three years to support cybersecurity solutions. This program is capped at $40.80 per student, with a minimum of $45,000 for small sites. Applicants can submit a one-time application for the three full-year periods.
This is a pilot program aimed at gathering information about the cybersecurity needs and solutions available for K12. Applicants will be selected during application phase I. Those selected will then submit details to request funds in phase II of the Cybersecurity Pilot Program pilot application process.
Both funding opportunities require applicants to competitively bid on the solutions they are seeking and submit applications to request the funding.
Do you have any tips for leaders managing the application process?
Plan, prepare and participate. Plan your school needs now. Consider what is needed now and what will be needed over the next 18 months. Identify existing E-rate services and contracts, check Category 2 budget utilization to date and analyze Wi-Fi hotspot off-campus needs, and cybersecurity needs.
Prepare now and file early. If you have not started the procurement planning process, do so now. Prepare for additional application requirements and allow as much time as possible to gather documentation and evaluate bid responses. Each of these new opportunities will require new procurement, additional budget caps, additional funding tracking cycles and deadline management. Preparing to manage the process now will lessen the burden later and increase participation success.
Participate in the areas that make the most impact on your local school or library. E-rate FY25 is the last year of the current E-rate Category 2 budget cycle which will reset for E-rate FY26 for the next five years. Applicants who have reviewed needs and prepared for E-rate, Wi-FI off-campus hotspot funding and the Cybersecurity Pilot Project will be best suited to execute and adapt to achieve these much-needed funding resources.
Additional program resources
The Cybersecurity Pilot Program window will be open on Sept. 17 and close on Nov. 1, 2024. The FCC publishes additional information about the program and real-time participation. Participants are encouraged to review these resources regularly to keep up with program clarifications issued by the FCC.
