Next week, broadband advocates from across the country will gather in Washington, D.C., for the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition (SHLB) Congressional Fly-In. The annual event brings together leaders from education, healthcare, libraries, and the broadband community to meet with policymakers and highlight the real-world impact of the Universal Service Fund (USF).
For schools and libraries, the USF’s E-rate program remains one of the most important federal investments supporting broadband connectivity.
Funds For Learning’s analysis shows that more than $13.1 billion in E-rate funding has been committed nationwide over the past five years, supporting connectivity for approximately 63 million students across 56 states and territories.
In the most recent funding year alone, $2.6 billion was committed through the program, representing an average national investment of about $41 per student.
These investments support the broadband infrastructure that enables modern learning and community access to digital resources. Schools rely on high-speed connectivity to support digital instruction, online assessments, and secure networks. Libraries depend on these connections to provide public internet access and essential digital services for their communities.
As policymakers continue discussions about the future of broadband policy, the SHLB Fly-In provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to share how programs like E-rate help keep communities connected.
At Funds For Learning, we see the impact of the E-rate program every day through the organizations that rely on it to deliver connectivity. I’m grateful to the SHLB Coalition for organizing this Fly-In and for providing an opportunity to highlight the important role the Universal Service Fund continues to play in supporting connectivity for schools and libraries across the country.
