The E-Rate, sometimes called the Education Rate, is another name for the Universal Service Fund (USF) support program for K-12 schools and libraries. The program was one result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The USF provides discounts to help K-12 schools and libraries throughout the United States establish high-quality connections to the Internet. Eligible schools and libraries can save from 20 to 90 percent on eligible telecommunications services.

The following sites provide more detailed information about the E-Rate, its legislation and funding.

• Background on the E-Rate Program
  (ALA Office for Information Technology Policy)
  
  
• Explanation of Telecommunications Act of 1996
  (Benton Foundation)
  
  

< Back to the E-Rate Resource Center