E-Rate (formally known as the Universal Service for Schools and Libraries Program) is a federal program designed to help schools and libraries afford internet and telecommunications services. Managed by the FCC, it offers discounts of 20% to 90% based on the institution’s economic need and location.
E-Rate aims to ensure equitable access to modern technology and information resources across all educational institutions. The program covers costs for internet access, internal networking, and telecommunications. Schools and libraries apply annually, following a competitive bidding process to ensure cost-effective spending.
The LTC supports K-12 districts as they work through the E-Rate application process, from needs assessments to filing. Our team can also keep you informed on the latest program developments, including deadlines and service eligibility updates.
The Learning Technology Center provides complimentary E-Rate consulting to Illinois schools, including:
While the LTC offers foundational E-Rate consulting, we recommend engaging a private consultant if comprehensive support is needed.
Reliable annual technology and internet funding can make an outsized impact on your district’s learning mission.
Here are a few benefits of working with the LTC to secure optimal E-Rate funding:
The Form 471 application filing window for FY 25 will open on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at noon E.T. and will close on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. E.T.
All E-Rate applicants are required to wait 28 days between submitting Form 470 and Form 471. To meet this required waiting period, the last date to submit and certify Form 470 will be Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
In addition, the EPC administrative window will close, Friday, January 9, 2025, with the FY 25 application filing window opening on January 15, 2025 . All applicants can now review their EPC profiles and make additional updates for changes that occurred after USAC’s review of their FY 24 Form 471. More information can be found in these EPC administrative window webinar slides.
As part of E-Rate’s ongoing efforts to modernize and meet the evolving educational environment, FY 25 applicants will be able to apply funds to several new types of services.
Wi-Fi on School Buses | Returning from last year, applicants may apply Category 1 funds when adding wi-fi connectivity to district school buses. Specific limitations apply. See USAC’s overview for more details →
Wi-Fi Hotspots | New for FY 25, applicants may apply Category 1 funds for wi-fi hotspots and wireless internet services that can be used off-premises. This aims to offset some loss of at-home connectivity caused by ECF‘s expiration in June, 2024. Full details about how to budget and request funds for wi-fi hotspots is still forthcoming, and will be addressed during our Fall 2024 E-Rate Essentials webinars. See Funding for Learning’s overview for more information, including eligibility and funding caps →
Program Affiliates
General Information
Illinois Resources
Discounts provided by E-Rate are typically separated into two groups: Category One (C1 or Cat 1) and Category Two (C2 or Cat 2).
Services covered under Category One (C1) included primary internet access, internet connections between buildings, and construction required to obtain internet access. Category Two (C2) discounts cover equipment and services used inside the school buildings to get internet access to student devices. This includes routers, switches, and wireless access points.
E-Rate does NOT cover end user devices, such as computers or tablets.
Each summer, USAC an Eligible Services list is posted for comment and then adopted by the program, determining all items eligible for that funding year.
In recent years, the FCC refocused E-Rate from legacy telecommunications services to broadband internet connectivity, with a goal to significantly expand Wi-Fi access. These steps to modernize the program are helping E-Rate keep pace with the need for increased Internet access. They may also result in new types of services and items being covered under existing Category One and Category Two funds.
Districts who wish to apply for E-Rate must follow a multi-step application process that includes identifying needs and bidding out for needed services.
The majority of this process is handled electronically within the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). This dashboard provides access to the necessary forms and communications with Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), who manages the process for the FCC.
Individual forms walk applicants through a process of determining needed services, accepting bids, entering into contracts with providers and activation or completion of services.
Districts begin the process of application up to a year before services are confirmed and implemented. This lengthy process containing multiple forms and timelines requires districts to oversee the applications and implementation of services over multiple years.
E-Rate discount levels are determined by district poverty level, primarily identified by eligibility in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Using a formula, districts can obtain discounts of between 20% and 90% off requested services.
Many state departments of education provide staff, or State E-Rate Coordinators to help districts navigate the E-Rate application process.
Mindy Fiscus serves as one of Illinois’ State E-Rate Coordinator. Annually, she hosts workshops covering program updates and offering step-by-step guidance on navigating the program’s multiple forms. In addition, she offers one-on-one support for district leaders seeking customized funding solutions that incorporate E-Rate funds.
Mindy also participates in national organizations that support the E-Rate program such as the State E-Rate Coordinators Association (SECA) and State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) E-Rate special interest group. Affiliation with these national organizations help insure Illinois districts are kept up to speed with changes in the E-Rate environment.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released a notice of funding opportunity/request for proposals (NOFO/RFP) for pending state funds to expand internet connectivity in schools. The funds would reimburse school districts for the cost of upgrading their broadband infrastructure to fiber optic technology. Fiber optic technology delivers the most affordable and fastest network speeds to schools and allows districts to scale cost-effectively to meet growing bandwidth needs in the future.
Nearly 75 districts across the state have been identified as having one or more school building in their district without access to this scalable infrastructure. Priority of funding will be given to districts that can demonstrate one or more buildings in their district is in need of a fiber upgrade.
In order to apply interested districts must:
The LTC provides approximately 30 in-person and online events each year to assist school districts with navigating the E-Rate process.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 470 form. The E-rate 470 form opens the bidding process for the E-rate cycle each year.
This video will demonstrate how to add a new contract to the E-rate EPC system for your Form 471. Contracts must be uploaded prior to completing the E-rate 471.
his video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 471 form, from the beginning, until choosing a category of service type. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year. commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of a funding request for special construction on the E-rate 471 form. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of a funding request for category 2 services on the E-rate 471 form. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 486 form up to the certification process.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 486 form up to the certification process.
Program Affiliates
General Information
Illinois Resources
Discounts provided by E-Rate are typically separated into two groups: Category One (C1 or Cat 1) and Category Two (C2 or Cat 2).
Services covered under Category One (C1) included primary internet access, internet connections between buildings, and construction required to obtain internet access. Category Two (C2) discounts cover equipment and services used inside the school buildings to get internet access to student devices. This includes routers, switches, and wireless access points.
E-Rate does NOT cover end user devices, such as computers or tablets.
Each summer, USAC an Eligible Services list is posted for comment and then adopted by the program, determining all items eligible for that funding year.
In recent years, the FCC refocused E-Rate from legacy telecommunications services to broadband internet connectivity, with a goal to significantly expand Wi-Fi access. These steps to modernize the program are helping E-Rate keep pace with the need for increased Internet access. They may also result in new types of services and items being covered under existing Category One and Category Two funds.
Districts who wish to apply for E-Rate must follow a multi-step application process that includes identifying needs and bidding out for needed services.
The majority of this process is handled electronically within the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). This dashboard provides access to the necessary forms and communications with Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), who manages the process for the FCC.
Individual forms walk applicants through a process of determining needed services, accepting bids, entering into contracts with providers and activation or completion of services.
Districts begin the process of application up to a year before services are confirmed and implemented. This lengthy process containing multiple forms and timelines requires districts to oversee the applications and implementation of services over multiple years.
E-Rate discount levels are determined by district poverty level, primarily identified by eligibility in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Using a formula, districts can obtain discounts of between 20% and 90% off requested services.
Many state departments of education provide staff, or State E-Rate Coordinators to help districts navigate the E-Rate application process.
Mindy Fiscus serves as one of Illinois’ State E-Rate Coordinator. Annually, she hosts workshops covering program updates and offering step-by-step guidance on navigating the program’s multiple forms. In addition, she offers one-on-one support for district leaders seeking customized funding solutions that incorporate E-Rate funds.
Mindy also participates in national organizations that support the E-Rate program such as the State E-Rate Coordinators Association (SECA) and State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) E-Rate special interest group. Affiliation with these national organizations help insure Illinois districts are kept up to speed with changes in the E-Rate environment.
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has released a notice of funding opportunity/request for proposals (NOFO/RFP) for pending state funds to expand internet connectivity in schools. The funds would reimburse school districts for the cost of upgrading their broadband infrastructure to fiber optic technology. Fiber optic technology delivers the most affordable and fastest network speeds to schools and allows districts to scale cost-effectively to meet growing bandwidth needs in the future.
Nearly 75 districts across the state have been identified as having one or more school building in their district without access to this scalable infrastructure. Priority of funding will be given to districts that can demonstrate one or more buildings in their district is in need of a fiber upgrade.
In order to apply interested districts must:
The LTC provides approximately 30 in-person and online events each year to assist school districts with navigating the E-Rate process.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 470 form. The E-rate 470 form opens the bidding process for the E-rate cycle each year.
This video will demonstrate how to add a new contract to the E-rate EPC system for your Form 471. Contracts must be uploaded prior to completing the E-rate 471.
his video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 471 form, from the beginning, until choosing a category of service type. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year. commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of a funding request for special construction on the E-rate 471 form. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of a funding request for category 2 services on the E-rate 471 form. The E-rate 471 form commits to services for the E-rate cycle and is required each year.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 486 form up to the certification process.
This video will demonstrate the completion of the E-rate 486 form up to the certification process.
Learn and complete phase two of your E-Rate application with an E-Rate expert on hand. Tune in for full details on the information needed to complete this form, including discount calculations, costs of service, service providers, and more.
