Funding Status Lookup Tool

Feel free to use our tool to look up E-Rate funding information about any
school or library based on its Billed Entity Number

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible for E-Rate funding?

Any School or Library that conducts educational services in a classroom setting for students ranging from 3 years old to 12th grade is eligible to file for E-Rate discounts.

FY 2021 Eligible Services List

Click here

Questions about the Modernization Order?

Watch our short video below regarding the FY 2015 changes to the E-Rate program.

What is the E-Rate Modernization:

In 2014, USAC and the FCC released an order to modernize Erate, which “re-focuses the program on providing the necessary support to ensure our nation’s schools and libraries have affordable access to high-speed broadband” –FCC  The goal of the Modernization Order, which takes full-effect as of Funding Year 2015 (July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016), is to close the “Wi-Fi Gap” and to bring faster, more efficient broadband into schools and libraries nationwide.  In an effort to close the “Wi-Fi Gap,” as of FY2015 webhosting, email hosting and cellular data are no longer eligible, and telecom voice services are being phased out of the program.  The ineligibles and phase out were implemented with the intention to fund Category 2 (Internal Connections/Maintenance) funding for all applicant discount levels.

How do I take advantage of Category One funding?

With the voice services being phased out, now is the time to increase your wireless/broadband bandwidth. Utilizing Category Two Funding goes hand-in-hand with this.

How is my Category Two budget calculated?

Category Two budgets are calculated at a maximum amount of $167 per student, per school district, or $4.50 per square foot for library applicants, over a five year period. You may use your budget at any time during those five years, whether it is all in one year, or spread out within the five years.

How can I use my E-Rate Disbursements?

How to utilize your E-Rate disbursements depends on how you choose to get your money back.  There are two ways to get your E-Rate disbursements.

SPIs: SPIs (Service Provider Invoices) reduce your options as far as how your E-Rate disbursements can be utilized.  SPIs are discounts on your bills.  The funds you are committed are taken off your bills in that funding year by the service provider.  Since the funds are applied directly to you bills as discounts there is no other way to use the funds.  One option therefore is to have the money go directly to your bills as discounts.

BEARs: BEARs (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement) greatly increase your options for applying your E-Rate funds.  However, unlike SPIs, you have to pay your bills in full before receiving the money in a form of a check.  BEARs can be filed at any time after you’ve spend the money.  It’s general practice to pay your bills in full for the entire funding year then apply for a big refund check once the funding year is over.  Just like a tax-refund for an individual, USAC does not stipulate where the funds must be spent.  With BEAR checks, a school can deposit that money then spend it on books, or new computers, or anything they need!

How do I view my funding information?