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Federal Communications Commission - E-Rate Program

Federal Agency/Bureau
Federal Communications Commission/Wireline Competition Bureau
Program Name
E-Rate Program
Authorizing Legislation

47 USC Sec. 254

Program Overview

The schools and libraries universal service support program, commonly known as the E-rate program, helps schools and libraries to obtain affordable broadband. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium. Funding may be requested under two categories of service: category one services to a school or library (telecommunications, telecommunications services and Internet access), and category two services that deliver Internet access within schools and libraries (internal connections, basic maintenance of internal connections, and managed internal broadband services). Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and whether the school or library is located in an urban or rural area. The discounts range from 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services. E-rate program funding is based on demand up to an annual Commission-established cap.

CFDA

32.004

Type of Funding

Subsidy

Other: Discount

Link to application site, NOFO, FOA, or Grants.gov (if different from program website above)

Not Applicable

Important Dates (if applicable)

Funding Year application filing window: January 18 – March 28, 2023 for Funding Year 2023

FY2023 Appropriations Amount

Total Amount:approximately $4.768B available for Funding Year 2023 (funding for eligible requests for July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024) (the FCC’s E-Rate Program is not funded through appropriations; funding instead comes through contributions collected from providers of interstate and international telecommunications).

Amount Available Towards Broadband (if specified): $4.768B

Complementary Federal Funding Option

Not Applicable

Broadband-related Program Purpose/Eligible Expenditures
Speed/Technical Requirement for Broadband Infrastructure

Not Applicable

Eligible Recipients
If "Other", Eligible Recipient(s)

Consortia of eligible schools and libraries

Criteria for Eligible Recipients

Schools must meet the statutory definition of elementary and secondary schools as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 7801. Libraries must meet the program definition of library, and must be eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). In 2021, the Commission modified its definition of library to include Tribal libraries, clarifying that Tribal libraries are eligible for E-Rate support. Schools and libraries may not operate as for-profit businesses. Schools with endowments exceeding $50,000,000 are also not eligible.

Grant Beneficiaries (if different from eligible recipients)

Not Applicable

Programmatic Resources
Reporting Requirements

Not Applicable

Publicly-available programmatic data
Contact Information
  • FCC Telecommunications Access Policy Division: (202) 418-7400
  • USAC E-rate Customer Service Center: (888) 203-8100
Additional Information
Updated

March 2023

Funding Guide