How MiSEN is Funded

MiSEN is advancing Michigan’s commitment to closing the digital divide by working closely with the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) and the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to bring reliable broadband connectivity to rural, unserved, and underserved communities across the state. Through the 2024 MAISA Consolidated Grants Project Charter, authorized under Section 388.1611x of the 2023-24 State School Aid Act, MiSEN’s Remaining Connectivity initiative is focused on completing the connection of all Michigan schools to the State Network. This strategic, state funded grant effort helps Michigan leverage existing educational infrastructure, coordinate investments, improve efficiency, and extend broadband access where it is needed most. Michigan also maximizes the impact of federal FCC E-Rate funding which helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband by using MiSEN connectivity to stretch these dollars further and expand access to offer high-quality bandwidth for students and educators statewide. Together, state and federal investments are helping build a more connected, equitable, and sustainable education network for every Michigan student and teacher.

The result is greater connectivity at a lower cost. By stretching every dollar of state and federal investment, Michigan enables ISDs, districts, schools, and libraries to access high-quality internet service at costs that can be lower than what an average single residential home pays, turning public investment into greater value, broader access, and more connected communities.