More than 70% of the ECF support requested was for laptops, tablet computers, and other equipment, and about 90% of the funds were requested by school districts.
Preliminary analysis of the ECF funding data shows a strong correlation between E-rate and ECF applications. Between the two programs, there are a total of 22,883 applicants, with 41% of them participating in the ECF. Surprisingly, 1,446 ECF applicants did not submit an E-rate funding application in FY2021.
Funds For Learning will be providing detailed analysis of the ECF funding data over the course of the next few weeks. For those schools or libraries who did not apply in the first ECF filing window, or who still have unmet needs for off-campus connectivity, there is a second ECF filing window opening soon.