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Funding Quick Reference Guide

The chart below is intended to be a quick reference guide of the discounts available to families and funding available to districts, based on the best information we have today.

Direct to Consumer Internet Discounts

Ongoing Wisconsin Public Service Commission Internet Discount Finder Tool Internet service providers offer a variety of discounted internet service options, based on eligibility. The Wisconsin Internet Discounter Finder can search these resources and provide a list of options available at an address.
Ongoing Lifeline Discount of up to $18.50 per month on phone, cell, and internet service, based on eligibility.

Ongoing

Wisconsin Public Service Commission Internet & Phone Helpline (608)267-3595

Speak to dedicated staff members who will help households connect with discount options. Request an interpreter if you need assistance in a different language.

Ongoing

United Way of Wisconsin 211 Digital Resource Navigator Request Form

Speak to a trained professional who will help households with identifying available internet/phone service providers and plans in their area.

School/District Purchasing

Ongoing E-rate Program

Federal discounts range from 20-90% for telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections.

New: Content filtered Bus Wi-Fi for educational use now eligible.

Ongoing

 

CESA Purchasing Digital Learning Bridge 

Statewide discounted contracts and pricing for hardware, software, internet, & cybersecurity.

Ongoing Education for Homeless Children and Youth Innovation and Compliance Grants Competitive grants that can be used for devices, hot spots, and data plans for students experiencing homelessness.
Ongoing Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grant. Title IV, Part A Flexible block grants for authorized activities in three areas: 

Well-Rounded Educational Opportunities (4107), Safe and Healthy Students (4108), and Effective Use of Technology (4109).

Ongoing -

ESSER Funds distributed through WISEgrants

Broad use including, purchasing educational technology and training (including hardware, software, Internet & cybersecurity)

DPI Page: COVID Response and Relief Planning Recommendations

LEAs need to obligate ESSER III funds by September 30, 2024.

No new applications accepted

DPI Emergency Connectivity Fund Website & Program Details

 

Funds to support devices and off-campus broadband services.

Funds committed in Window 3 have to be used by June 30, 2024 and invoiced by August 29, 2024.

Apply before August 30, 2024

DPI Page: Project 10Million - details about how to apply and a submit list of de-identified eligible students to T-Mobile through the WISEdata portal.

Free T-Mobile hotspots with 100GB data per year for eligible students. Project 10Million customers may notice speeds slower than other customers due to data prioritization. Visit T-Mobile Project10 Million webpage for further details.

Program end date August 2025.

Other Funding Opportunities for Public-Private Partnership Broadband & Digital Equity Projects
Coming Soon: Digital Equity Grants

NTIA Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (column 3)

$1.25 billion competitive grant through NTIA to support projects that leverage strategic partnerships to meet the goals and objectives of the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan. (pages 108-114)

Libraries, school districts, and CESAs will be eligible to apply for this federal grant.

NDIA Blog: How You Should Prepare for Digital Equity Grants. Author Paolo Balboa, Retrieved Feb. 29, 2024.

Application Deadline - June 19, 2024 PSC Capital Projects Fund Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program

$33 million to fund projects that deploy computing devices, install Wi-Fi equipment in targeted apartment buildings, and provide digital navigation services to make use of the devices for work, education, and health monitoring.

Libraries, school districts, and CESAs are not eligible to apply for this state grant directly. However, they can partner with eligible organizations on grant activities. This grant will require a minimum of 3 local partner organizations.

Ongoing -

Broadband Expansion Grants

Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Local Planning Contacts

Schools can leverage Digital Equity Data and pool resources with local governments, non-profits, and co-operatives to apply.

Ongoing -

State Trust Fund Loan Program

BCPL State Trust Fund Loan Program Low interest loans for municipalities and school districts for local infrastructure projects

Rural ReConnect Program

USDA ReConnect

Grants and loans to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. Round 5 opening March 22, 2024.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity Grants for Tribal governments to deploy internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth, and distance learning initiatives on tribal lands. Round 2 application window closes March 22, 2024.
For questions about this information, contact Rachel Schemelin (608) 266-5190