We are midway through the year and here’s where FY2026 E-rate funding stands. Applicants requested $3.59 billion, USAC has committed about $1.2 billion so far, roughly $2.29 billion is still pending, and about $94 million has been denied.
The numbers below break down where things sit and what they mean for applicants still waiting on decisions.
Approved Funding
USAC has committed roughly $1.2 billion in FY2026 funding to date, out of $3.59 billion requested. Commitments build over the course of the year as applications are reviewed and released in weekly funding waves, so this figure will keep climbing during the months ahead. (For a look at how the early waves trend compared to previous funding years, see our article looking at the pace of FY2026 approvals.)
Pending Applications
The largest share of FY2026 funding is still in review. About $2.29 billion is pending a decision. For applicants, that’s the number to watch: more than half of FY2026 funding requests haven’t been decided yet, and the coming months are when the majority of them will see review and/or a funding decision.
Denied Funding
Denials to date are a small slice of the total. About $94 million, roughly 2.6% of requested funding, has been rejected so far. That share can shift as more applications clear review, but at mid-year the great majority of requested funding is either committed or still in play.
Demand and participation
Applicants requested $3.59 billion for FY2026, the highest total in the last five funding years, up from $3.13 billion in FY2025. That came on a steady applicant base: 58,393 funding requests, almost identical to the 58,344 filed the year before.
Where demand concentrates
Two service types account for nearly all FY2026 demand. Applicants requested about $1.76 billion for internal network connections and $1.73 billion for internet access, together roughly 97% of all dollars requested. Managed broadband ($72 million) and basic maintenance ($27 million) make up the small remainder.
The two leaders are nearly even in what was requested, but not in what’s been committed so far. Internet access has about $770 million committed to date, compared with about $425 million for internal connections.
What it means at mid-year
At the midpoint of the year, FY2026 is a high-demand cycle in its early commitment stages. Most requested funding is still pending, denials remain low, and the bulk of decisions are ahead. For applicants with requests in the queue, staying close to your funding status over the next few months is time well spent.
Want to keep tabs on your FY2026 funding as commitments land? Request an E-rate Manager consultation today.
About the Author Chris is a Guide at Funds For Learning, helping schools and libraries navigate the E-rate process. Before joining Funds For Learning, he tutored in Seattle and taught English in Japan for five years. “What drew me to this work is being part of what allows a student in America to access the internet without worrying about cost preventing an equal share in the richness of online education.”
