E-Rate: Universal Service Fund – Schools and Libraries
E-Rate provides discounts to eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable broadband Internet access, telecommunications services, internal network connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections.
Average award: FY2021 average value $32,000 (est.)
Number of awards: 130,000 recipients FY2021 (est.)
Cost share/matching required: No; however, recipients must cover remaining service costs.
Deadline: March 22, 2020
Expected Award Cycle: Annual
E-Rate is available annually. Applications are generally submitted between January and March before the start of the funding year. The funding year is July 1 through June 30. Applicants must re-apply each year for support of ongoing or repeat costs. See Application Process section for a recent timeline sequence for this phased program.
The E-Rate: Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries program (E-Rate) helps schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications through universal service discounts. Support may be requested under two categories of service: telecommunications and internet access services (including fiber optic) to a school or library; and services for internal connections, basic maintenance of internal connections, and managed internal broadband services within schools and libraries. The E-rate program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Specifically, USAC is responsible for processing the applications for support, confirming eligibility, and reimbursing service providers and eligible schools and libraries for the discounted services.
Discounts range from 20% to 90% and are based on the poverty level of the schools. Rural schools and libraries may also receive a higher discount. Recent support data is below:
- FY2019 Average Discount Value: $32,300; Discount Value Range: $1- $27,492,760
- FY2020 Average Discount Value (Estimated): Average: $33,100; Discount Value Range: $7 – $27,600,000
- FY2021 Average Discount Value (Estimated): Average: $32,000; Discount Value Range: $1 – $35,000,000
Public or private schools (K-12), libraries, and groups of schools and libraries (e.g., consortia, districts, systems). Schools must meet the statutory definition of elementary and secondary schools found in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Non-tribal libraries must meet the statutory definition of library or library consortium found in the Library Services and Technology Act of 1996 and must be eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under that Act. Tribal libraries are eligible under the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018 and must be able to demonstrate should be able to demonstrate three basic characteristics of a library: regularly scheduled hours, staff, and materials available for library user. Schools and libraries may not operate as for-profit businesses. Schools with endowments exceeding $50,000,000 are also not eligible.
- $49,819 discount for Tiospa Zina Tribal School (Agency Village, SD) for internal connections.
- $41,228 discount for Ace Leadership High School (Albuquerque, NM) for internal connections.
- $17,820 discount for the Academy of Charter Schools (Westminster, CO) for data transmission and internet.
- $10,613 discount for Albuquerque Charter Academy (Albuquerque, NM) for data transmission and internet access.
The application process includes the following steps: 1) Requesting competitive bids for service (FCC Form 470); 2) Selecting service providers; 3) Applying for discounts (FCC Form 471); 4) Undergoing application review; 5) Starting services (FCC Form 486); 6) Invoicing (FCC Forms 498, 472/474); and 7) Reimbursement. Tribal libraries additionally must provide documentation from an authorizing Tribal government entity showing that the applicant has characteristics of a library, including regular hours, staff, and materials, or a signed letter from a state library agency.
The timeline for FY2022 was: Competitive bidding complete by February 22, 2022; Apply for discounts between January 12, 2022 and March 22, 2022; Start services between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023; Invoice USAC July 2022 through October 2023. Multi-year awards are available with additional FCC form filing.
The E-Rate program has a listing of support teams on its website at: www.usac.org/e-rate/contact-us/
General USAC Mailing address:
Universal Service Administrative Company
Attn: E-Rate Program
700 12th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005