What qualifies for E-rate funding?

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 …

What can E-rate funds be used for?

What benefits are available under the E-Rate program? Eligible schools and libraries may receive discounts on telecommunications, telecommunications services, and Internet access, as well as internal connections, managed internal broadband services and basic maintenance of internal connections.

What is E-rate funding?

The Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program provides discounts to assist eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable internet access and telecommunications services. The E-rate Program is one of four universal service programs funded through the federal Universal Service Fund (USF).

What is E-rate Category 2?

The second category of equipment and services eligible for E-rate support, Category Two, includes the internal connections needed for broadband connectivity within schools. Support is limited to the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout schools.

What is E-rate funding for libraries?

E-rate, also known as the Universal Services Schools and Libraries support mechanism, is the program that provides discounts to public libraries as well as K-12 schools on telecommunications services, internet access, Wi-Fi equipment, and some closely related costs like internal cabling.

What law is tied to E-rate funding?

The Children’s Internet Protection Act
The Children’s Internet Protection Act, passed in the year 2000, stipulates that in order to receive E-rate funding, schools and libraries are required to block or filter internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors).

What is E Rate Category 1?

The first category of supported services, Category One, includes the services needed to support broadband connectivity to schools. The first category of supported services, Category One, includes the services needed to support broadband connectivity to schools and libraries. …

What is erate eligible?

Eligible participants include public and most non-profit K-12 schools as well as all public and many private libraries. Program participants must carry out a competitive bidding process to select the most cost-effective companies to provide the goods and/or services requested.

What is E-Rate funding for libraries?

Do private schools get E-Rate?

For more details on E-Rate discounts please see the USAC Discount Matrix below. In general, elementary schools, secondary schools, private schools, and religious schools are all eligible to receive discounts as long as they have an endowment less than $50 million and are not-for-profit.

How does the E Rate schools and Libraries Program work?

E-Rate – Schools & Libraries USF Program. E-Rate. 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.

Is there a cap on E Rate funding?

In 2014, the FCC’s the Second E-Rate Order increased the cap for the program to $3.9 billion in funding year 2015, indexed to inflation going forward. The funding cap for funding year 2019 is $4.15 billion. Does the E-Rate program duplicate state and local efforts?

Is there a Category 2 budget for C1 services?

There is no budget for C1 services. The FCC’s Category Two Report and Order ( FCC 19-117) established the rules, C2 budget multipliers, and the funding floor for the fixed, five-year funding cycles. The C2 budget multipliers and the funding floor are adjusted for inflation and released by the FCC in advance of the start of each five-year cycle.