What is E-Rate?

The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly referred to as E-rate (Education rate) or erate, makes discounts available to eligible schools and libraries for telecommunication services, Internet access, and internal connections.   For a summary of the program, see Getting Started.

Begun in 1998, the program's goal is to ensure that schools and libraries have access to affordable telecommunications and information services. It is overseen by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).  The program makes available about $3.99 billion annually for eligible technology services.

All schools, public or private, that are non-profit and do not have endowments exceeding $50 million are eligible for E-rate!

Schools and libraries can save up to 90% on eligible data and Internet services and up to 85% on internal connections. Most can save at least 40%. The amount of savings is calculated using the number of students eligible for the USDA's National School Lunch Program (NSLP), often called the Free and Reduced Lunch Program. 

See TECedge E-rate Consulting Services for more details or call today 617-276-6479 or email info@tecedge.net for more information on TECedge's E-rate Services!