Funding Sources for Schools (Updated Oct 2025)
This guide highlights current federal, state, and rural funding options that districts can use to purchase school safety, networking/connectivity, and instructional/interactive solutions through Central Technologies. Always verify dates and eligibility with the issuing agency.
Title IV, Part A (SSAE)
ED’s Student Support & Academic Enrichment program can fund well-rounded education, safe & healthy students, and effective use of technology — including devices, software, and interactive/CTE tools when tied to a needs assessment. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
What this can buy from Central: interactive displays, STEM/CTE content, safety/alerting add-ons, instructional software.
Perkins V (CTE)
Perkins V funds innovations that improve CTE programs — equipment, lab upgrades, industry-aligned tools, and experiences like drones, eSports, and media labs, when shown in the CLNA. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
What this can buy from Central: Rocket Drones, VR/AR, AV for CTE labs, career-pathway tech.
21st CCLC (Title IV-B)
Still active in 2025, even with consolidation proposals — states are releasing 21st CCLC rounds for afterschool, summer, and enrichment. Great for movement tech (ActiveFloor, Lü) and STEM. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
What this can buy: mobile interactive systems, makers/STEM, afterschool eSports, movement/PE tech.
ESSER / ESF Late Liquidation
ESSER obligation ended Sept 30 2024, but in June 2025 ED let states continue liquidating previously-approved late-liquidation projects while litigation is pending. Districts can only spend if their state already had an approved extension. New blanket extensions are not being approved. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
What this can buy: finish out panel installs, AV/safety projects that were obligated but not paid.
E-Rate (Schools & Libraries)
The FY 2025 Eligible Services List is out, and the FCC confirmed E-Rate is back to on-premises connectivity only — no Wi-Fi on buses or off-campus hotspots beginning with FY 2025. Districts should plan for internal connections, Wi-Fi, and broadband for campuses only. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
What’s Eligible
- Internet access & transport
- Internal connections (APs, switches, cabling)
- Basic maintenance & MIBS
What’s Not (2025)
- Wi-Fi on school buses
- Off-premises hotspot lending
- Connectivity for home use
What this can buy from Central
Network/wireless gear, filtering, security cameras that tie into network builds, and AV that rides on that network.
School Safety & Security Grants (FY 2025)
Several federal programs in 2025 will fund cameras, access-control, emergency alerts, and prevention tech — all things Central deploys.
- COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) 2025 – up to $500,000 over 3 years for school safety tech, comms, and coordination. Closes per 2025 NOFO. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- BJA STOP School Violence 2025 – funds training, threat-assessment teams, anonymous reporting, and safety tech; closes Nov 3 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
- DHS / FEMA State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) – states can carve out K-12 projects for cameras, radios, and hardening; districts must apply through their state HS office. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
What this can buy from Central: video surveillance, access control, emergency notification, PA, visitor management, secure entry AV.
USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT)
FY 2025 DLT applications were due March 6 2025; USDA usually runs this annually with ~$40M for hubs + end-user sites in rural areas. Great for interactive classrooms, video, telehealth/SEL, and career-connected learning. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
What this can buy: interactive panels, cameras, codecs, mobile carts, AV for hub-and-spoke learning.
USDA Community Facilities
Loans/grants for essential facilities in rural areas (<20,000 pop.) — schools, safety, and instructional spaces can qualify. Good when LEAs want to combine security + AV + building improvements. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
State & Local School Safety Rounds
Many states are still running annual school-safety rounds in 2025 for doors, cameras, comms, and emergency alerting — districts should check their state DOE or school safety center for current RFPs. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
Need help mapping a project to funding?
Central Technologies can help you align your project (interactive classrooms, safety/AV, CTE labs, sensory/movement spaces) to an eligible funding source and provide sample language for applications.