The Schools and Libraries Division will release its next funding wave on Tuesday, October 7, committing more than $75.4 million through 276 funding letters to applicants. This wave will be designated for telecommunications services and Internet access, as well as internal connections at the 85 percent level. The new wave (#13) will grow total commitments for the 2003 funding year to nearly $1.15 billion.
A year ago this week, the SLD's total commitments for the last funding year had climbed to nearly $1.4 billion. However, first commitment for internal connections for that funding year, at the 90 percent level, did not occur until October 8, 2002. By contrast, the first 2003 funding year commitment for internal connections at 90 percent came on June 30, 2003 – more than three months earlier. The next 2003 commitment wave is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, October 21.
