E-Rate News

Good afternoon, E-Rate Community. I hope everyone had a great summer and that our school’s “back-to-school” transition went smoothly. This time of year brings lots of E-Rate activity as you wrap up FY 2025, implement FY 2026, and prepare to...

Good afternoon E-Rate Community, USAC has announced that it will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payment for all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices starting on September 8, 2026. Per the announcement, USAC reminds E-Rate applicants who invoice using...

Good morning, E-Rate Community. I've completed scheduling online training sessions to prepare for the next E-Rate funding year (FY2027). Training will follow the same format as last year to make it more productive for all applicants and allow for more...

Hello E-Rate Community, As previously mentioned, the FCC released two E-Rate NPRMs — a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for “Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate-Funded Services” and “Promoting Fair and Open...

Hello E-Rate Community, USAC has announced the postponement of the scheduled August 10th transition to SAM.gov banking information to perform additional testing and validation. Once a new transition date is determined, they will share that information. August invoices will continue...

Hello E-Rate Community, USAC has announced that, effective August 10, 2026, it will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payments for all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. E-Rate applicants who invoice using the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) method...

Hello E-Rate Community, You may have already heard that the FCC has released two E-Rate NPRMs — a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for “Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate-Funded Services” and...

Good afternoon, E-Rate Community. This is a reminder that beginning in August 2026, USAC will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all E-Rate participants who use the FCC Form...

Hello E-Rate Community, Per USAC’s March 21st News Brief, the FCC adopted a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 26-30) on April 30, 2026, to strengthen E-Rate program integrity by creating a competitive bidding portal, streamlining program rules,...

Good afternoon E-Rate Community, USAC has released the first wave of funding letters for FY2026! Congratulations to the following 896 Ohio schools and libraries (1182 separate FRNs), committing $27,395,485.00. This wave includes commitments for both Category 1 and Category 2...