What is E-rate?

About E-rate - a short video introduction to E-rate.

Get started in the E-rate Program

Step-by-Step Applicant Process 

Application Process Flow Chart

Glossary of E-rate Acronyms and Terms

General E-rate Timeline

E-rate Timelines for Funding Years 2023 and 2024. Click images to see full size.

E-rate News & Updates - subscribe to USAC's E-rate News Brief for details about upcoming funding commitments, application process tips, and other timely information.

5/6/24 - Over $6 Million in E-rate Funding Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Public Libraries

12/19/23 - E-rate Form 471 FY2024 Application Filing Window Dates Announced - The FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window for Funding Year 2024 will open on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at noon EST and close on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11:59:59 EDT.

12/19/23 - 'E-rate: What's New for 2024?' Recording Now Available Recording and presentation slides - November 30, 2023, 2 hours 48 minutes.

10/13/23 - Public Service Commission Updates State E-rate Program, Encourages Applications - extended the state E-Rate Special Construction Matching Program indefinitely and increased the state match for new fiber construction projects to cover all remaining costs after the E-rate discount.

For information about the NUSF-117 E-Rate Special Construction Matching Program and application process, visit https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/Erate

7/20/23 - DNS filtering solution for Nebraska's public libraries To help E-rate applicants meet their CIPA requirement, the NLC is now offering a DNS filtering solution to Nebraska public libraries, covering the expense and assisting with its implementation.

Nebraska E-rate Mailing List

FCC.gov: The E-rate Program

E-Rate Central

Funds for Learning

Background of the Universal Service Fund: E-Rate  

E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2025 - Register for the July 24, 2024 NCompass Live webinar.

E-rate: What's New for 2024? - Recording and presentation slides - November 30, 2023, 2 hours 48 minutes.

USAC's E-rate Training Webinars - upcoming and recordings.  

USAC Videos - step-by-step tutorials on each E-rate form.

Previous NLC E-rate Workshops: 2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  2018  2017  2016  2015  2014  2013  2012  2011  2010  

E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) - account and application management portal for the E-rate program.

Video Tutorials - E-rate Productivty Center (EPC)

Search Tools - Look up the status of your application

Form User Guides and Instructions - PDF

Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit and Broadband Improvement Plan - learn about and improve your library's broadband infrastructure and IT environment.

Broadband Improvements: Free Planning Tools for Libraries - WebJunction webinar about the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit - recording, slides, and resources - held 4/20/2022.

Calculating Your Discount - Instructions for Libraries

Nebraska Schools Free and Reduced Lunch Counts by School

Urban or Rural Status

Entity Search Tool Walkthrough Video

Discount Matrix

Eligible Services List   

Form 470 - Description of Services Requested and Certification Form

Video Tutorials - FCC Form 470 Video Series

Form 470 User Guide for FY 2022

Competitive Bidding Process Infographic - details the steps in the process

Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Reference Table for FY 2022

FCC Registration Number - look up your library's FCC RN or request a FCC RN

FSCS Code - look up your library's FSCS ID Number

Form 471 - Services Ordered and Certification Form

Before the 471 Filing Window opens (check Adminstrative Window closing date):

 Update your Organization Profile

Form 471 Checklist - information you need to file your Form 471

Video Tutorials - FCC Form 471 Video Series

Form 486 - Receipt of Service Confirmation Form

Video Tutorial - How to File the FCC Form 486

Form 472 or 474 - Invoice USAC

E-rate System Consolidation - In 2023, USAC moved invoicing from the Schools and Libraries Legacy systems into the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC).

Form 472 - Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form - to receive reimbursement after you have paid your bill. Submitted by applicant.

Video Tutorial - FCC Form 472 - BEAR Form

Form 472 (BEAR) User Guide

Form 498 - Service Provider And Billed Entity Identification Number and Contact Information Form - to submit banking information to USAC for BEAR Direct Payments

Form 474 - Service Provider Invoice (SPI) - to receive the discount on your bill. Submitted by service provider.

USAC CIPA Information and Instructions

Full text of CIPA Act

Changes to the E-rate Program and Complying with CIPA: A Brief FAQ - August 2017, ALA Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP)

CIPA: Myths vs. Reality

E-Rate Central CIPA Resources

FCC Guide to CIPA

ALA information on CIPA

Filtering Resources

DNS Filtering Solution from the Nebraska Library Commission

The NLC offers a DNS filtering solution to Nebraska's public libraries, providing the Internet filtering technology required for E-rate CIPA compliance. Even if your library is not utilizing E-rate, this versatile solution can also provide cybersecurity protection for your library's computers and customers.

The NLC will cover the expense of this service and assist with its implementation.

For questions about this solution and implementing it at your library, contact Andrew 'Sherm' Sherman, NLC Library Technology Support Specialist.

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Filtering For E-Rate CIPA Compliance And Cybersecurity - webinar recording and presentation slides - 1 hour 36 minutes

Internet Use Compliance & Filtering - Filter options from the Idaho Commission for Libraries

Comparison of content-control software - Wikipedia

Christa Porter is the State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries in Nebraska. She can be reached at the Library Commission via email, or by calling 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665.

Nebraska E-rate contacts for public libraries and schools

As of Funding Year 2015, Technology Plans are no longer required for E-rate. This information is still provided for previous years, and anyone needing a Technology Plan for other purposes.

Technology Planning