The Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) eRate program is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and libraries on telecommunications services, internet access, cabling, and related equipment.

For purposes of universal service support, schools must meet the statutory definition of elementary and secondary schools found in 20 U.S.C. § 7801:

An elementary school is a non-profit institutional day or residential school, including a public elementary charter school, that provides elementary education, as determined under state law.

A secondary school is a non-profit institutional day or residential school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides secondary education, as determined under state law, except that such term does not include any education beyond grade 12.

Schools operating as for-profit businesses or that have endowments exceeding $50 million are not eligible. In some cases, non-traditional facilities and students may be eligible. For more information regarding specific eligibility of Head Start, pre-kindergarten, juvenile justice, and adult education student populations and facilities, visit the Non-traditional Education page.

An Educational Service Agency (ESA), which may operate owned or leased instructional facilities, may be eligible for E-Rate program support if it provides elementary or secondary education as defined in state law. Please see our website if the school falls within the Non-traditional Education bracket: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/school-and-library-eligibility/

The filing window for 2025 has closed as of Feb 27th, but be sure to mark your calendars to start reviewing the 2026 Eligible Services List that is typically released by the FCC in October.  Review your eligibility and pre-registration information here.

The ‘Get Started’ page of the USAC website is a great place to start: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/get-started/

ACC Telecom is eRate certified telecommunications installation vendor with the Universal Service Administrative Co. ACC Telecom specializes in assisting K-12 schools with affordable telecommunications and security solutions including phone systems with video meeting and messaging, cloud-based surveillance systems and grants, cabling, voice over IP phone service, overhead paging systems and mass emergency notification systems.  Contact ACC Telecom today to learn more about our services and eRate eligibility.