The E-Rate program helps ensure that schools and libraries can obtain high-speed internet access and telecommunications at affordable rates. To view a timeline of the E-Rate application cycle, view the E-Rate Funding Year Activities infographic. 

Schools (public or private, K-12) libraries, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and groups of schools and libraries (e.g., consortia, districts, and systems) can apply for discounts on eligible equipment and services. View a full list of Eligible Applicants. Internet access, telecommunications services, and related equipment are eligible for discounts. View a full list of Eligible Services. 

Discounts range from 20 to 90 percent of the cost of eligible services. You can refer to the program’s discount matrix for basic information on discount percentages and review information on calculating your discount to find out what your discount would be. 

USAC assigns each entity that participates in the E-Rate program a unique identifying number called a Billed Entity Number (BEN). Schools and libraries that are not registered in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and do not have a BEN must contact the E-Rate Customer Service Center (CSC) at (888) 203-8100 to set up an EPC account, designate an Account Administrator, and obtain a BEN. For more information, see the Registering for a Billed Entity Number (BEN) Checklist for New Tribal Library E-Rate Applicants.

Special Announcements
On July 21, 2023, the FCC released Order (FCC 23-56) to further enhance Tribal applicants’ access to the E-Rate program through program simplifications and other changes aimed to encourage greater Tribal participation. Specific updates to the E-Rate program rules include:

• Granting E-Rate eligibility to Tribal College and University libraries that also serve as public libraries in their communities.
• Increasing the maximum Category Two (C2) discount rate to 90 percent and the C2 funding floor to $55,000 for Tribal libraries.
• Creating an exemption to the competitive bidding requirements for libraries (Tribal and non-Tribal) seeking E-Rate support for C2 services that total a pre-discount price of $3,600 or less per library per funding year.
• Adopting a formal definition of “Tribal” in the E-Rate program to better identify Tribal applicants seeking E-Rate funding and to ensure Tribal libraries receive the new C2 benefits.
• Adding a Tribal community representative to the USAC Board of Directors and to the Schools and Libraries Committee of the Board.
• Directing USAC to provide increased outreach and training to Tribal applicants. Visit to the FCC’s Tribal Order page to learn more.

Under the Tribal Library Order, Tribal libraries are eligible for support from state library administrative agencies under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Museum and Library Services Act of 2018. Tribal Councils can designate a library as a Tribal library (for example, through a Tribal Resolution), and Tribal libraries should be able to demonstrate that they have three basic characteristics of a library: (1) Regularly scheduled hours, (2) Staff, and (3) Materials available for library users.

Visit to the FCC’s Tribal Order page to learn more.

Tribal Definition
An entity is ‘Tribal’ for purposes of E-Rate funding if it is a school operated by or receiving funding from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), or if it is a school or library operated by any Tribe, Band, Nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska native village, regional corporation, or village corporation (as defined in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.)) that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.

Determine and Designate Your Entity’s Tribal Status
For data reporting purposes, an E-Rate applicant may self-identify as a Tribal entity in their EPC entity profile if the majority of students or library patrons served are Tribal members; the entity is located partially or entirely on Tribal land; the entity is a school operated by or receiving funding from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or the entity is a school or library operated by a Tribal Nation. Watch an instructional video on how to designate your entity’s Tribal status.

New! Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP)

Tribal libraries play an important role in their communities, especially in connecting to the digital world. Traditionally, Tribal libraries and Tribal college and university (TCU) libraries that serve as public libraries in their communities have not participated in the E-Rate program due to barriers of entry. To help close this digital divide, the FCC recently made changes to the program, making it easier for Tribal libraries to apply for funding and participate in the program.

With the establishment of the permanent Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program (T-LEAP), Tribal and TCU libraries can now receive direct support in navigating the E-Rate application process, including one-on-one assistance when preparing applications, applying to the program, and receiving E-Rate support. Interested in learning more? Visit the Tribal Library E-Rate Advocacy Program page for more information about the program. Interested Tribal libraries can sign up here

The RHC program provides funding to eligible health care providers (HCPs) to reduce the cost of telehealth broadband and telecom services. RHC has two primary programs: the Healthcare Connect Fund (HCF) Program and the Telecommunications (Telecom) Program. The HCF Program provides a 65 percent discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses for eligible rural HCPs, and the Telecom Program provides reduced rates on eligible telecommunications services for eligible rural HCPs.

Tribal Lands Definition
Although there is no Tribal definition for the RHC program, eligible health care facilities servicing Tribal Nations are encouraged to apply.

Determine and Designate Your Entity’s Tribal Status
An RHC program applicant may self-identify as a Tribal entity on the FCC Form 460 (for the HCF Program) or the FCC Form 465 (for the Telecom Program) if the site location is located on Tribal lands, operated by the Indian Health Service (IHS), or otherwise affiliated with a tribe.

Tribally Operated Health Care Facility Requirement
If the health care facility is a contract facility run solely by a Tribal nation, the appropriate Tribal leader, such as a Tribal chairperson, president, governor, or chief, must also sign the Letter of Agency (LOA), unless health care responsibilities have been delegated to another Tribal government representative. We also do not preclude federal government entities, such as the Indian Health Service, or other Tribal entities, from receiving support under the HCF Program, even though their 35 percent contribution may come from federal sources, as does the balance of the budget of such entities.

The Lifeline program lowers the monthly cost of phone and internet services. Low-income consumers on Tribal lands can receive a Lifeline discount of up to $34.25 per month, and up to a $100 reduction for first-time connection charges for Lifeline service at their primary residence.

Tribal Lands Definition
The definition for “Tribal lands” used by the Lifeline program is found in 47 CFR 54.400(e), which states that “For purposes of this subpart, ‘Tribal lands’ include any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, pueblo, or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma; Alaska Native regions established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688); Indian allotments; Hawaiian Home Lands – areas held in trust for Native Hawaiians by the state of Hawaii, pursuant to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920 July 9, 1921, 42 Stat. 108, seq., as amended; and any land designated as such by the Commission for purposes of this subpart pursuant to the designation process in § 54.412.”

See the Enhanced Tribal Benefit webpage for information for participants.

The High Cost program provides funding to telecommunications carriers to deliver service in rural areas that might otherwise go unserved. See the Connect America Fund (CAF) Map to find the specific fixed locations where carriers have built out broadband using CAF support.

Tribal Lands Definition
For the purposes of High Cost support, “Tribal lands” include “any federally recognized Indian tribe’s reservation, pueblo or colony, including former reservations in Oklahoma, Alaska Native regions established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 688) and Indian Allotments, see § 54.400(e), as well as Hawaiian Home Lands – areas held in trust for native Hawaiians by the state of Hawaii, pursuant to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920, July 9, 1921, 42 Stat 108, et seq., as amended, and any land designated as such by the Commission.” (See 47 CFR 54.5 Terms and definitions.)

Request Tribal Access to the FCC Form 481
Tribal governments can access the annual FCC Form 481 filing submitted by ETCs that serve their lands with support from the High Cost program through the online 54.314 Certification Filing System. To obtain access privileges to the 54.314 system, Tribal governments should contact the High Cost program at Form481@usac.org to request an authorization form. Once granted access, Tribal officials will be able to log in to the 54.314 system and view FCC Form 481 data filed by the carriers serving their lands. For more information, see the 54.314 System Tribal User Guide.

Tribal Engagement Reporting
Eligible telecommunications carriers (ETCs) that receive High Cost support must complete the Tribal reporting section of FCC Form 481 when they submit their annual FCC Form 481 filing every July. All ETCs that receive High Cost support (except for carriers that receive Mobility Fund Phase I support only) must annually file FCC Form 481, which collects financial and operations information to validate carrier funding. As part of this annual filing process, ETCs that serve Tribal lands must submit information about their engagement with Tribal governments, including details on deployment to Tribal community anchor institutions, culturally sensitive approaches to marketing and compliance with rights of way processes, land use permitting requirements, cultural preservation review processes, Tribal licensing requirements, and other obligations.

All telecommunication service providers have some role in the ongoing operation of the Universal Service Fund (USF). Contributors are service providers that contribute money to the USF and participants are service providers that participate in USF programs and, in most cases, receive funding. Service providers servicing Tribal lands or Tribally-operated service providers should visit the Service Providers Get Started webpage to determine if they are a contributor or participant.

All service providers must have a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN), also known as the service provider’s 498 ID. A SPIN/498 ID is a unique nine-digit number assigned to service providers by USAC when a Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form (FCC Form 498) is filed. For more information, see the Registering for a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) Checklist for New Tribal Service Providers.