• Amendments to the Telecommunications Act of 1996
Makes Schools and Libraries eligible for Universal Service Fund (USF) discounts ranging from 20 to 90 percent on telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections. The discount percentage for a school/library is determined by whether it is located in an urban or rural area, and the economic needs of its students. Urban/rural designation is defined by county and based on Metropolitan Statistical Area data evaluated by the SLD. The level of economic need is determined by the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program.

• Income Eligibility Guidelines
Whether a student participates in NSLP or if the school serves lunches is irrelevant - the basic issue at hand is whether or not a student's family falls within the income eligibility guidelines of NSLP.

• Discounted Bills vs. Reimbursements

• Calculating Your Discount
If you are applying for E-rate discounts on eligible services, you must calculate the percentage discount that schools or libraries are eligible to receive.

• Discount Matrix

• How to Interpret the Rural/Urban Classification Search Results
Includes: 1. Quick Interpretation of the Search Results, 2. Definitions of "Rural" and "Urban", 3. Example of How to Interpret Search Results, and 4. Alternatives for Determining Your Rural or Urban Status

• Alternative Discount Mechanisms Fact Sheet

• Alternative Survey Cover Letter