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E-Rate

Orion E-Rate Services

What Is E-Rate?

E-Rate is a federal program in the United States that provides discounts to help schools and libraries secure affordable, high-speed internet and telecommunications. Managed by the FCC, the program offers subsidies ranging from 20% to 90% of the cost, with the highest discounts awarded to rural and low-income areas. It covers everything from the fiber lines bringing data to the building to the internal wifi routers that connect students to the classroom.

Essentially, it acts as a financial backbone that ensures every student, regardless of their zip code, has the digital tools necessary for a modern education. Mandated by Congress in 1996 and implemented by the FCC in 1997, E-Rate provides discounted telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to eligible libraries, schools, and health care facilities.

 

What We Do

Every year, Orion assists area schools and districts in receiving millions of dollars in E-Rate funding. Our comprehensive E-Rate services include, but are not limited to:

  • Planning
  • Form Preparation and Submission
  • Competitive Bidding and Vendor Management
  • Application Reviews, Audits, and Appeal Support
  • Compliance and Policy Reviews
  • Document Retention

 

Contact Us

For more information about E-Rate or to get started today, contact Tori by email at erate@orioneducation.org or call 620.584.3300.

Meet Our E-Rate Consultant

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiles at the camera, wearing a dark green top.Tori Bohannon has been providing E-Rate services at Orion since 2005. She attends state and national trainings in order to assist area schools and districts in receiving millions of dollars in E-Rate funding every year.

E-Rate services include handling the creation, completion, and submission of all required forms as well as handling quotes with vendors and PIA Reviews and audits.

Tori works with each school and district to make sure they are getting the most out of E-Rate and they are getting all of the money and discounts that they are entitled to.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • E-Rate funding is split into two main categories:

    • Category One: Services used to connect the school or library to the internet. This includes broadband connectivity, fiber-optic services, and leased lit fiber.

    • Category Two: Internal connections needed to distribute the internet inside the building. This includes routers, switches, Wi-Fi access points, internal cabling, and the basic maintenance of these components.

     

  • Discounts range from 20% to 90% of the cost of eligible services. The exact percentage depends on two main factors:

    • The level of poverty in the school district (measured by the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program).

    • Whether the school or library is located in an urban or rural area (rural areas often qualify for higher discounts).

  • Generally, most public and non-profit K-12 schools, school districts, and public libraries are eligible.

    • School must meet the statutory definition of an elementary or secondary school and cannot have an endowment exceeding $50 million.

    • Libraries must meet the statutory definition under the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and be eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency.

  • To prevent fraud and ensure the best use of public funds, applicants must participate in a fair and open competitive bidding process.

    • Applicants post an FCC Form 470 to describe the services they need.

    • Service providers then submit competitive bids.

    • Applicants must wait at least 28 days before selecting a vendor, and the price of eligible products and services must be the most heavily weighted factor when evaluating the bids.

  • Yes, compliance with CIPA is required for any school or library receiving E-Rate discounts for Category One internet access or Category Two internal connections. To comply, institutions must:

    • Filter or block internet access to images that are obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors.

    • Adopt an Internet Safety Policy that addresses online safety, cyberbullying awareness, and student safety when using digital communication.

Schools

Eligible schools may receive discounts on eligible category one and category two services.

Libraries

Eligible libraries may receive discounts on eligible category one and category two services.

Health Care

The Rural Health Care Program supports health care facilities in bringing world class medical care to rural areas through increased connectivity.