E-rate Commentary

Dirk Schroeder, CEMP

by Dirk Schroeder

September 8, 2026

Procure in FY2027, Breathe Easier in FY2028

Uncertainty Around the New Portal You may have heard the buzz about the new competitive bidding portal set to arrive in Funding Year 2028 (FY2028). If your organization is gearing up...

by Audra Thayer

September 8, 2026

Most Cybersecurity Pilot Money Is Committed. Most of It Has Not Been Paid Out Yet.

Of the $129.5 million committed under the Cybersecurity Pilot, about $38.6 million has reached applicants as of September 1, 2026, and 337 of the 570 funded applicants have not yet...

by Sheauna Brown

September 8, 2026

E-rate, Emergency Connectivity, and Cybersecurity: A District’s Decade of Federal Funding

For more than a decade, Cleveland Metropolitan School District has used E-rate and other federal funding programs to build, maintain, and strengthen the technology that supports its students and staff....

by Neal Brautigan

September 1, 2026

Keep Planning for FY2027. The Bidding Portal Isn’t Coming Until FY2028.

As discussion continues around the FCC’s competitive bidding portal for Funding Year 2028, many E-rate applicants are wondering whether anything will change for Funding Year 2027. The short answer is...

by Jessica Flores

September 1, 2026

The Team Behind Your Funding Request

There’s a team behind your funding request. When you’re the one waiting on a decision, they’re who’s on the other end of the line, and they’re a big part of...

Eric Jester, CEMP

August 25, 2026

Don’t Wait Until October: What to Check on Your FY2025 FRNs Now

You filed, you waited, and your Funding Year 2025 funding commitment came through. That’s a real milestone, and a natural moment to exhale. It’s also where the last step gets...

by Heidi Leonard

August 25, 2026

FY2026 Reviews Aren’t Over Yet. 10 PIA Tips to Wrap Up Well.

Filing Form 471 may feel like the finish line, but for many E-rate applicants, the review process is just beginning. FY2026 reviews are still underway for some applicants, while preparations...

Eric Jester, CEMP

August 25, 2026

Rooted in Relationship: What We Took Away from This Year’s C3 Conference

Funds For Learning returned to the C3 Conference this year with a different purpose. Rather than presenting on E-rate timelines or fielding funding questions, we set up a table and...