E-Rate program for Schools and Libraries

What’s the E-Rate program and where can I get more information on it?

E-Rate program is a vital resource that helps make telecommunications and information services more affordable for public and private K-12 schools, libraries, and groups such as consortia, districts, and systems. Through funding from the Universal Service Fund, E-Rate offers discounts on eligible services that include telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections.

Each year, the FCC and USAC publish an Eligible Service List (ESL) that outlines which services qualify for these discounts, ensuring transparency and clarity for all participants.

What are the definitions of the acronyms and terms used in the E-Rate program?

What AT&T solutions qualify for E-Rate?

To discuss qualifying for the E-Rate program through AT&T products and services, contact your AT&T account team or call the number on your bill. You may also request we contact you directly.

AT&T can discuss its products and services prior to the posting of your Form 470, which begins the competitive bidding process. Once the Form 470 is filed AT&T is restricted to the role of bidder.

What is a SPIN, and why is it important?

SPIN stands for Service Provider Identification Number. It’s important you use the appropriate SPIN related to the specific product and service. AT&T and its subsidiaries offer a range of E-Rate–eligible services. These services include telecommunications, internet access, internal connections, and basic maintenance.

If you have questions about SPINs, contact your AT AT&T account team or call the number on your bill. You may also contact us at erate.legt@att.com.  Additional information regarding SPINs is available on the USAC website.

Once I’m awarded funding from USAC for an AT&T SPIN, what should I expect?

What are some helpful tips that will ease reconciliation of my E-Rate SPI disbursements for my district or library?

Submit the Form 486 in a timely manner to USAC.

Return your E-Rate Customer Profile (Grid) earlier in the funding year.

Once funded, pay your non-funded share and the full cost of ineligible products and services.

Understand the costs related to ineligible products/services/taxes and surcharges appearing on your bill.

Pay your bill in full when funding approval is pending with USAC or if you are selecting BEAR as your discount method.

If you’re also receiving State Funding (such as the California Teleconnect Fund (CTF) or Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF)) on the same bill as your E-Rate SPI discounts, consider the state program disbursements when determining the payment share for your district or library.

Set up your billing hierarchy in alignment with your funding.

Example 1: If your district or library has ineligible sub-accounts or circuits, request separate bills for those ineligible sub-accounts, ports, and circuits.

Example 2: If your district or library requests multiple funding request numbers (FRNs) year over year (non-related to contract expirations), set up your billing hierarchy to align with FRNs.

If you request that site information appears on your customer service records, align the naming of those sites with the site descriptions listed on your Form 471 (or vice versa). Note that USAC may sometimes reject SPI invoices due to variances with site names that appear on the bill and those listed on the Form 471 and this may result in non-payment to AT&T and reversal of disbursements to the district or library.

What tips do you have for filling out more than one Grid?

If I have a question about my E-Rate Customer Profile (Grid) or my welcome letter, does AT&T have a resource to provide additional detail or provide clarity?

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