August 20, 2026
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is considering potentially significant changes to the E-Rate program, and AESA members have an important opportunity to help shape what happens next.
The FCC has not eliminated E-Rate. Instead, it has opened a rulemaking process that asks whether the program should be narrowed, reoriented, geographically limited, or potentially sunset. These are proposals and questions under consideration, not final decisions.
The FCC is asking schools, libraries, educational service agencies, and other stakeholders to provide evidence about how E-Rate works in practice and what changes to the program could mean locally. That makes your experience especially valuable.
Take Action
Submit comments to the FCC by October 13, 2026.
You do not need to be an E-Rate expert to participate. The most useful comments explain what E-Rate supports in your organization, how much funding you receive, how your students and staff benefit, and what would happen if that support were reduced or eliminated.
If you would like AESA to file your comments on your behalf, email your completed comments to Noelle Ellerson Ng at nellerson@aasa.org by 5:00 pm ET on October 2, 2026. The final FCC filing deadline is October 13, 2026.
Start Here: E-Rate Call to Action
The E-Rate Call to Action explains why member participation matters, what information the FCC is looking for, and how to make your comments as useful as possible.
A strong comment should explain:
- Who your organization serves
- How you currently use E-Rate
- The financial impact of E-Rate funding
- The educational and community impact of reliable connectivity
- What you want the FCC to do
The guidance recommends using specific numbers, examples, and local experiences whenever possible.
Ready to Write? Use the Comment Template
The E-Rate Comment Template provides a framework you can customize with information from your district, ESA, or organization. It includes prompts to help you describe how connectivity supports school operations, instruction, student services, communications, cybersecurity, and other essential functions.
The template also helps members clearly communicate what they want the FCC to do, including preserving E-Rate, maintaining support for connectivity and internal infrastructure, and strengthening the program rather than reducing its role in public education.
What's Being Proposed?
The Summary of the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking provides a straightforward overview of what the FCC is considering.
Among other issues, the FCC is asking whether E-Rate should be narrowed, geographically limited, or changed to reflect current broadband availability. It is also seeking input on supported services, the discount structure, screen use, the Children's Internet Protection Act, and administrative requirements.
Importantly, these questions do not represent new requirements that schools and libraries must follow today. The rulemaking process is still underway.
Have Questions? Review the FAQ
The E-Rate FAQ answers common questions about the FCC proceeding, including:
- Is E-Rate being eliminated?
- Are the proposed changes already in effect?
- Is the FCC imposing screen-time limits?
- Is CIPA changing now?
- Do I need to be an E-Rate expert to submit comments?
- Do I need to respond to every question in the FCC proposal?
The short answer to several of these questions is no. The FCC is gathering public input before making final decisions.
Key Deadlines
October 2, 2026 at 5:00 pm ET
Deadline to send completed comments to AESA if you would like AESA to file them on your behalf. Email your completed comments to Noelle Ellerson Ng.
 October 13, 2026
Deadline to submit comments to the FCC.
Keep Schools Connected
AASA and AESA have developed these resources to help you understand the FCC proceeding, prepare your comments, and make your voice heard.
After submitting your organization’s comments, help amplify the message by sharing these resources with the school districts and education partners you serve. Local stories and real-world examples can help demonstrate the importance of E-Rate-supported connectivity.
Visit the Keep Schools Connected website to learn more, access additional resources, and help protect E-Rate for schools and communities nationwide.
