Learn more about E-Rate Eligible Funds

E-rate provides discounts to assist most U.S. schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access. This discount program is administered through the
Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)--a non-profit corporation appointed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

• Telecommunications Services
• Internet Access
• Internal Connections (including firewalls, see below)

Discounts range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services, depending on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium.

Funds for the program are generated through contributions from all telecommunications companies in the United States, including local and long distance phone companies, wireless and paging companies and pay phone providers.

Firewall Eligibility
Within the Data Protection category of Internal Connections, firewalls are listed in the
SLD Eligible Services List as follows:

A firewall is a hardware and software combination that sits at the boundary between an organization's network and the outside world, and protects the network against unauthorized access or intrusions.

Eligibility: A firewall is necessary to ensure operation of the network, and is eligible for discount.