E-rate

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​E-rate, or Education Rate, is a federal program designed to ensure schools and libraries have acc​ess to affordable high-speed broadband to support digital learning and robust connectivity.

E-rate funds provide discounted Internet access and subsidize the cost of eligible network equipment, and most recipients must certify compliance with the Children’s Internet Protecti​on Act​ (CIPA) to receive funding. Enacted by Congress under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, E-rate is one of four programs administered by the non-profit Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and supervised by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

Discounts for Kentucky libraries range from 50% to 90%, with most libraries receiving 80% to 90% discounts on their bills. Discounts are calculated based on two factors: the percentage of students in the local school district eligible for the National School Lunch Program, and the urban or rural classification of the area served by the library. Kentucky libraries have received more than $28 million in E-rate disbursements since the program began in 1998.

More information about the program can be found on the E-rate website.

New​​s

• Hotspot Lending has been added to the E-rate Eligible Services List for Funding Year 2025. ​Libraries must file the Form 470 to request bids for this service prior to filing the Form 471 application for discounts.