# FCC May End School Internet Subsidy Program

The Federal Communications Commission faces pressure to eliminate a federal program that helps schools afford broadband. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has called for ending the subsidy before his appointment by President-elect Donald Trump.

Schools across the country depend on E-rate, a federally funded program that reduces internet and telecommunications costs. The program works by collecting fees from consumer phone and internet bills, then redistributing that money to schools and libraries. Districts use these subsidies to connect classrooms, fund digital learning tools, and provide online resources to students who lack home internet access.

Carr's push to cut the program comes as schools already face budget pressures. Many districts struggle to maintain aging technology infrastructure and update digital systems. Rural schools and low-income districts particularly depend on E-rate funding to compete with wealthier school systems that can afford broadband independently.

The FCC controls the E-rate program's budget and administration. Eliminating it would force schools to absorb full broadband costs or reduce network quality and capacity. Some districts might eliminate internet access in certain buildings or limit students' ability to use devices during instruction.

E-rate has operated since 1997, serving roughly 99 percent of schools and libraries in the United States. The program distributed roughly $4.2 billion annually in recent years. Schools use the subsidies not just for basic connectivity but for supporting distance learning, online testing, video conferencing, and digital resources for students with disabilities.

Carr's proposal aligns with Trump's broader agenda to reduce federal spending and deregulation. However, education advocates argue that cutting the program would widen the digital divide between wealthy and poor districts. Teachers and administrators worry about losing critical infrastructure during a period when online learning tools play a central role in modern classrooms.

The program's future remains uncertain as the new administration takes office and sets FCC priorities