{"id":34285,"date":"2022-05-11T01:39:01","date_gmt":"2022-05-11T01:39:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=34285"},"modified":"2022-05-12T01:44:22","modified_gmt":"2022-05-12T01:44:22","slug":"3-days-remain-to-apply-for-ecf-window-3-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=34285","title":{"rendered":"3 Days Remain to Apply for ECF Window 3 Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"

May 11, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n

Attached:\u00a0ECF Window 3 – 471 Demo<\/a><\/p>\n

The third application window for the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program closes Friday, May 13, 2022 at 11:59 pm EDT.\u00a0\u00a0ECF Window 3 pays for Internet access and laptops\/tablets for students, teachers\/paraprofessionals and library patrons with an unmet need for eligible purchases\/services that occur between July 1, 2022 \u2013 December 31, 2023 (only 12 months of services are eligible during this time period).\u00a0 Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions I\u2019ve received, below is a list of ECF Form 471 Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts, and attached is an Overview of Window 3 that was used during the 471 Demo webinar this week.\u00a0 The USAC Form 471 Filing Guide is available at:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org\/ecf-fcc-form-471\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

1. If I would like to continue receiving internet services such as mobile broadband and cable modem\/FIOs services that were funded in ECF FY 2021 (Windows 1 or 2), am I required to reapply in Window 3?<\/strong>
\n— Yes.\u00a0 You must submit a new application in Window 3\u00a0and\u00a0in the FRN narrative indicate the FY 2021 ECF 471, FRN\u00a0and\u00a0service start and end dates of the services received in ECF FY 2021, as well as what 12 months you are seeking service in FY 2022.\u00a0 This is so the PIA reviewer can confirm that you are not seeking funding for overlapping months of services. \u00a0\u00a0See slide 12 for the exact language that must be included in the narrative.<\/p>\n

2. If I didn\u2019t apply in Windows 1 or 2, can I still apply in Window 3?<\/strong>
\n— Yes.<\/p>\n

3. We are replacing student laptops in our school in FY 2022.\u00a0 Can we use ECF funding for these laptops?<\/strong>
\n— ECF funding can be used to purchase laptops\/tablets for students and teachers that have an unmet need, meaning they don\u2019t otherwise have access to a connected device at home that allows them to participate in remote learning or to conduct homework.<\/p>\n

4. If we don\u2019t know exactly which students have unmet needs, can we still apply?<\/strong>
\n— At the ECF Form 471 stage, you can use a \u201creasonable estimate\u201d of how many students or teachers have unmet needs.\u00a0 This can be based on NSLP data, census data, survey data, etc.\u00a0 But the approved devices may only be loaned to students\/teachers with documented unmet needs, and you may only apply for ECF reimbursement for those devices.\u00a0 Applicants should be prepared to provide documentation of the unmet needs when the ECF reimbursement forms (BEAR or SPI) are submitted to USAC.<\/p>\n

5. What happens if there isn\u2019t enough funding to meet Window 3 requests?<\/strong>
\n— Funding will be awarded to the highest E-rate discount applicants first, with a 5% bonus for rural applicants, and then they will work their way down until all funding has been exhausted.\u00a0 To be clear, even though they will award funding based on E-rate discount levels, ECF funds will still be awarded at 100%, meaning E-rate discounts or proration will apply. \u00a0See slide 5 of the attached presentation.<\/p>\n

6. We are operating in-person instruction 5 days a week.\u00a0 Do we qualify?<\/strong>
\n— Yes.\u00a0 ECF funding can be used to close the Homework Gap, not just for when your school is remote learning.<\/p>\n

ECF Form 471 Hints, Do\u2019s and Don\u2019t\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n