On October 7, 2021, the FCC released an Order extending the waiver of the E-rate program’s gift rules until June 30, 2022. Last year, December 14, the FCC extended its temporary waiver of the Commission’s gift rule applicable to the E-rate program to assist schools and libraries affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The waiver expired on June 30, 2021. The Commission received requests by several E-rate stakeholders to extend the waiver of the E-rate program gift rule until June 30, 2022, due to difficulties created by COVID-19 pandemic.
In the Order, the FCC stated that, “… In light of the ongoing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to program participants and the continued need for robust connectivity, we find good cause to extend our waiver of the E-rate program gift rule through June 30, 2022, the end of funding year 2021. …”
FCC reminds E-rate program participants that the “…waiver is limited to offerings provided by service providers and solicited or accepted by E-rate eligible entities on behalf of students, teachers, or patrons while schools and libraries continue to use remote learning and other tools to address the needs of students and library patrons during the ongoing pandemic….”
The FCC Order can be viewed here.
