On January 16, 2025, the Federal Communication Commission released a public notice announcing the schools, libraries, and consortia selected to participate in the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. In total, more than 700 schools, libraries, and consortia across the country were selected to receive up to $200 million over a three-year period to purchase a wide variety of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment.
The Pilot Program will evaluate whether and how universal service funds should be used to support cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data on a permanent basis.
Tift County applied for the grant in Fall 2024 and was notified it was one of the 700 schools nationwide, and only 25 in Georgia, awarded a grant. The grant will be used to support current efforts deployed by the district to continue improving the overall cybersecurity posture of the district.
"The grant award shows that USAC valued the plan that Tift County Schools provided to utilize the limited funds that are available nationwide," stated Jonathan Judy, CIO for Tift County Schools. "Over 2 billion dollars worth of grants were requested, and only $200 million total were available to be awarded to the 700 school applicants. Tift County's final award amount will be announced once the grant application is complete, but the district expects to be awarded close to $275,000."