E-Rate

E-Rate is an annual funding program overseen by USAC and the FCC to make Internet services and hardware available to schools nationwide. Please contact us to schedule virtual training or assistance any time.

server room with many cables
Broadband Infrastructure

Idaho Code created the Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant (B.I.I.G.) Fund. This fund is available to be distributed to provide state matching funds for eligible special construction projects to deploy new fiber (or fiber-equivalent) for high-speed broadband.

To-Do List

Please contact us for assistance, or to schedule a consultation.

Steps for Annual E-Rate Cycle
  1. Form 470: Competitive Bidding (if applicable) and Update Entity Profile
  2. Form 471: Funding Application
  3. Receive Funding Commitment
  4. Form 486: CIPA Certification
  5. Invoicing USAC (applicant or vendor)
  6. Document Retention for 10 years

For detailed steps, read more at USAC.org

For services received or hardware purchased between dates, or meeting these criteria… Current Step in E-Rate Process (Updated Sept 2024)
School Year 2025-26
  • July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
  • E-Rate 2025 / Fisacl 2026

1. Planning
2. Form 470 (if applicable)

Form 470s must be posted minimum 28-days (45 days min. recommended).
    School Year 2024-25
    • July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
    • E-Rate 2024 / Fiscal 2025

    4. FCDL and Form 486
    5. Invoicing USAC (applicant or vendor)

    Report: Form 486s Due (Updated 9/30/2024)
    School Year 2023-24
    • July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
    • E-Rate 2023 / Fiscal 2024

    5. Invoicing USAC (applicant or vendor)
    6. Document Retention

    Report: Remaining E-Rate Dollars and Deadlines (Updated 09/30/2024)

    Deadline to invoice USAC: Oct. 28, 2024
    Deadline extensions can be requested through EPC

    Resources for Idaho Schools

    From the Official USAC and FCC Sites

    Eligible Services and Hardware

    Please review the 2025 Eligible Services list for complete details

    Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access
    • Internet Access
      • Includes one-time costs and special construction for new fiber infrastructure.
    • Data Transmission (Wide-area network; WAN)
      • Includes Dark Fiber or Self-Provisioned networks
    • Network hardware that makes the service operable
    • *Hotspots to loan to students and staff
    • *Bus Wi-FI

    Note: *Hardware and service not eligible for the Broadband Reimbursement Program.

    Internal Connections (IC), Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS), and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC)
    • Internal Connections
      • Includes one-time cost for hardware, and components required to operate hardware
    • Managed Internal Broadband Services (MIBS)
      • Includes recurring services and one-time costs required to operate services
    • Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
      • Includes costs for upkeep of existing equipment, such as physical or technical maintenance.

    Note: No category 2 items are eligible for the Broadband Reimbursement Program.

    Some hardware may only be partially eligible due to restrictions on the current year Eligible Services List released by the FCC (for example, firewalls with advanced features). Some hardware SKUs can be researched at the Funds for Learning product eligibility help desk. The data provided on that site is only for estimation; USAC has final determination of eligibility.