The E-rate Technology Discount Program

E-Rate Application Window Opening

The 2026 E-rate application process will begin on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, and will close on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last date to submit FCC Form 470 to compliance with the required minimum 28-day period before filing FCC Form 471.

About

The E-rate (short for education rate) is a nationwide program that offers public and private schools and libraries the opportunity to receive substantial discounts on a wide range of advanced telecommunications services including broadband internet access, distance learning and videoconferencing service, high speed data connections, and internal wiring and wireless network equipment.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has oversight of the program which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the Schools and Library division (SLD). All of the important information for schools is at the SLD website.

EPC Portal for all E-rate Activities: all E-rate activities for applicants and service providers. All E-rate activities (filing applications, questions, appeals, etc.) will be conducted through this site.

E-rate Program Structure

There are two types of eligible services that can be funded:

1. Category One: Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access (Category 1)
2. Category Two: Internal Connections (IC), Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS), and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC) (Category 2)

Category Discount Levels

The discount refers to the portion of the services that are funded by USAC according to a discount matrix. The school discounts range from 20-90 percent, based on the number of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or other measure of equated income level.

• Category One: The highest discount is 90 percent.
• Category Two: The highest discount level is 85 percent.

E-rate Category Two Budget

The FCC has set a budget of $201.57 per student that may be used over a five-year period for Category two services. There is no budget limit for Category One.

Applicants can utilize the pre-discount budget in a manner that best meets their needs. Applicants can apply to use all of it in one spread it out over 5 years or any other combination up to the total.

E-Rate Application Process

Before you begin, this application flow chart is a good over-view resource to consult.

The application process has several steps to follow and forms to complete: 

• opening the competitive process: Form 470
• seeking discounts on eligible services: Form 471
• invoicing for services: Form 474*
• confirming the receipt of services and compliance with Internet Safety requirements: Form 486

*Billing information for Catholic schools

Catholic school applicants should not use Form 472, the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) method of payment, which would provide the schools with a check from the U.S. Treasury. Instead, schools should use Form 474, the Service Provider Invoice Form (SPI) and insist that the vendor claim the discounted portion from USAC directly. This would constitute receipt of goods and services, not direct funding, similar to how schools participate in federal education programs under Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The school, not the vendor, has the right to determine how the vendor will receive the discounted funds.

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Requirements

When schools certify their compliance with CIPA, they will also be required to certify that their internet safety policies have been updated to provide for educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, cyber bullying awareness, and response.

School and library authorities must certify either that they have complied with the requirements of CIPA; that they are undertaking actions, including any necessary procurement procedures, to comply with the requirements of CIPA; or that CIPA does not apply to them because they are receiving discounts for telecommunications services only.

Detailed information about CIPA compliance may be found at the Schools and Libraries division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).

Resources

The official and most comprehensive site for program information is that of the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC) that administers the program for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). You can find additional program guidance documents, tools and FAQs at that website.