E-Rate Funding Requests Booming; Application Deadline Extended

School systems across the country are poised to make big requests for new federal dollars to subsidize the cost of high-speed broadband and wireless networks, but many are scrambling to understand and respond to changes to the E-rate program following a major overhaul by the Federal Communications Commission in 2014. Based on early data, it will be no surprise if requests for E-rate dollars hit $5.1 billion or more in 2015, said John Harrington, CEO of Funds for Learning, an Edmond (OK) company that consults with districts on the E-rate. That would be up from about $4.9 billion in requests in 2014, said Harrington. But the FCC has extended its deadline for E-rate applications from March 26 to April 16, in part because schools are struggling to provide the new data and information the commission is requiring, Harrington said. "We're encouraging schools to apply for all [the funding] they can use," he said. "I know at the FCC, their desire is to fund every application, and they will do everything in their power to make sure that happens."