E-Rate Discounts on Telecommunications & Internet Expenses

Take a look at your phone bill. In the “Surcharges” or the “Government Fees & Taxes” section, you should see an item titled “Federal Universal Service Fee” or something similarly titled. I typically glance right past this section right to the bottom line, but the Universal Service Fund that is fed by your payment of this fee can be a source of funds for your school or library.

One of the programs in the Universal Service Fund is the “Schools and Libraries Program,” better known as E-Rate. Under E-Rate, your library may be eligible for discounts in four different categories: telecommunications services, Internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance of internal connections. 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 you serve.

So, you’re already paying for phone service or Internet service, why not take advantage of E-Rate and get some of that money back if you are eligible?

If you are not currently participating, check out the website of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), the administrator of the E-Rate program at www.universalservice.org/sl - where you’ll find overviews of the programs and the process.

It is a lengthy process, with the funding year running from July 1 to June 30. But you need to act now –first steps need to be complete by early January 2009 to be eligible for the next funding year!