E-RATE Solutions
What Is the E-Rate Program?
A plain-English guide to the federal program that helps schools and libraries pay for internet.
E-Rate Pays for Internet at Schools and Libraries
E-Rate is a federal program run by the FCC. It gives schools and libraries discounts on internet service and network equipment. The discounts range from 20% to 90% of the total cost.
The program started in 1996. Back then, only 14% of classrooms had internet. Today, almost all of them do. E-Rate helped make that happen.
The program has nearly $5 billion in funding available each year.
What Does E-Rate Pay For?
Two Types of Funding
Category 1: Internet Access
This covers the cost of getting internet to your building. Things like broadband service, fiber connections, and data transmission.
Category 2: Internal Connections
This covers the equipment inside your building that delivers internet to classrooms. Things like Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers, cabling, and firewalls.
Who Is Eligible?
The following types of organizations are eligible:
- Public K-12 schools
- Private K-12 schools (nonprofit)
- Public libraries
- School districts
- Library systems and consortia
Your discount level depends on two things: how many students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and whether your location is urban or rural. The more need your community has, the bigger your discount.
Why Most Schools Need Help With E-Rate
The application process is complicated. You need to:
- File the right forms at the right time
- Post competitive bids and evaluate vendor responses
- Respond to detailed reviews from USAC (the agency that runs the program)
- Keep records for 10 years
- Stay current with rules that change every year
One mistake on a form or a missed deadline and your funding is denied or delayed.
That's why more than 170 schools and libraries trust E-Rate Solutions to handle it for them.