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ECF Grant Student Laptops and Hotspots
About the EFC Grant Student Laptops and Hotspots
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To help close the technology gap for students in need, the district applied for a federal grant known as the Emergency Communications Fund grant.
Through this grant, the district is able to loan 43,000 laptops and 10,000 hotspots to students.
We encourage all families in need to complete an application.
This application is online in the parent's FOCUS account. It is called the “Parent Emergency Communications Fund Survey.”
Applications will continue to be collected until all technology has been handed out.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What type of technology is available?
With a federal ECF grant, the district purchased approximately 10,000 hotspots and 43,000 Lenovo laptops. Every student will be supplied a copy of Microsoft Office 365 for their laptop.
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How do I apply?
The link to the survey is in the parent’s FOCUS account. Review the steps to create a FOCUS account if you don’t already have one. Note that this process may take several days.
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How is eligibility determined?
This offer is for students enrolled in a Duval County Public Schools’ traditional school. Charter school students are not eligible.
Priority is given to students and families in need of a laptop or internet in the home.
Priority is also given to children in elementary school because both middle and high school students are already assigned take home laptops by the district.
Everyone that is in need should apply.
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What is the timeline for laptop distribution?
Please allow up to two weeks for processing once the survey has been submitted.
Within those two weeks, parents will receive an email confirming their student is eligible for a laptop.
The laptop will be shipped to their child’s school, which should be available within 10 business days of receipt of the email.
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Will students be able to take home the laptops?
Yes, once assigned a laptop, students can take and keep their laptops at home.
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Will students have to return laptops/hotspots at the end of the year?
No, students will only return the laptops when they are no longer enrolled in the district. This can include when they graduate or if they transfer to another school district or a private school.
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If your student has received a district issued laptop, are they still eligible?
Yes, that they are still able to receive another device.
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In what other ways will this survey information be used?
The survey information is used solely to determine eligibility.
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Does my student need to bring it to school for use?
No, it is not required to be used at school (but can be if desired).
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Is my student the only one who is permitted to use the device?
No, the device can be used by any family member residing in the home.
