The federal E-Rate program makes internet access service more affordable for schools and libraries in America. The State Library provides assistance to libraries filing for E-Rate discounts on internet service and other qualifying items.
Contributions from telecommunications companies provide discounts of 50-90% on the cost of internet access and network wiring within library and school buildings. Libraries and schools in low-income urban communities and rural areas qualify for the highest discounts to help ensure that every American, regardless of age, income or location, has access to the internet.
The Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC) administers the E-rate program for the federal government. All libraries that receive E-Rate discounts must be compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Each year, libraries that want to apply for E-rate discounts must file three forms with USAC: Form 470, Form 471 and Form 486.
E-rate Form 470 opens the required bidding process for internet service providers. Service providers review the posted FCC Form 470 information and submit bids. Libraries compare received bids on a Bid Matrix to choose a service provider. Libraries must wait at least 28 days between filing Form 470 and Form 471 to allow time for the bidding process.
E-rate Form 471 is the actual E-rate application to request discounts on eligible services and equipment for the upcoming funding year. Applicants must include information on the recipients of services and service provider(s); provide detailed descriptions of services, including costs and dates of service or equipment; and certify compliance with program rules.
E-Rate Form 486 notifies USAC that services have started for the library and certifies that the library is in compliance with CIPA. Libraries must receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter email notification from USAC before completing this form. Libraries have 120 days from receipt of the notification to file.
Timeline for FY26 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026)
Timeline and status for E-Rate forms.
Form
Status
Timeline
Form 470
Open
Deadline: Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Form 471
Open
Filing window closes Mar. 26, 2025
Form 486
n/a
File 120 days from receiving Funding Commitment Decision Letter from USAC.
Use the link below to log in to the USAC portal application dashboard to complete the forms when the filing windows are open. Your District LRT can assist you in navigating the portal and completing any of the forms.
Note: Chrome is the recommended browser to use when completing these forms.
Starting in Funding Year (FY) 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless internet services that can be used off-premises will be eligible for E-Rate funding. This will allow eligible libraries to start Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs so that their patrons can check out E-Rate-supported Wi-Fi hotspots and services.
Note: Hotspot and service funding is contingent on support from the FCC and sufficient funds in the FCC budget. Libraries are able to rescind their applications for hotspots and service if funding is unavailable.
The following information can help you as you complete the forms to apply for E-Rate. For additional assistance or questions, reach out to your District LRT.
Copy and paste the following narrative into the text box when you reach the appropriate step in the online form 470. Update the text with your own library name, location, and internet capacity:
The [XYZ Library] is not seeking a standalone lit fiber circuit nor are they seeking a standalone Internet access only service (with no transport). This library is seeking a bundled Internet Access service (IA and associated transport). This service is to be delivered to the library at [street address and city].
The library seeks bids for Internet at the following capacities: 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Interested vendors should also provide the following information in their bids: (a) Indicate the type of connectivity (e.g. fiber, coaxial, microwave, etc.); (b). Indicate whether E-Rate C1 eligible bundled firewall is provided; (c). Identify any E-Rate ineligible charges (such as DDoS). Library reserves the right to cancel this request for bids and to reject all related proposals.
By submitting a bid on the requested services herein, the vendor certifies its proposed prices are consistent with the FCC’s Lowest Corresponding Price (“LCP”) requirements and that its equipment and services are compliant with the FCC’s recent Order (FCC 19-121) prohibiting the sale, provision, maintenance, modification, or other support of equipment or services provided or manufactured by Huawei, ZTE, or any other “covered company” deemed a national security threat.
Deadline for vendor proposals is 9:00 am Central time, 29 days after the date this Form 470 is posted. We reserve the right to reject late-submitted proposals. Proposals must be e-mailed to the Form 470 contact unless otherwise noted. SPAM and/or robotic responses will not be considered valid bid responses and will be disqualified from consideration.
After you file a Form 470, but before you file a Form 471, you must complete a Bid Matrix. This Bid Matrix can be a very simple one-page chart where you give points comparing the bids that you received from service providers for the services that you asked for in your Form 470. The one guiding rule is that cost must be the most heavily weighted factor, although you can use as many other factors as you wish.
The Bid Matrix needs to be filled out, signed and dated, and then kept in your E-rate files for your library. You MUST produce this Bid Matrix if you are ever audited by E-rate auditors in a review. Unsubstantiated documentation can result in loss of funds.
A Bid Matrix may look like this (create your own in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs or Sheets):
Example of a bid matrix.
Factors to Consider
Total Points Available
Vendor 1
Vendor 2
Vendor 3
Cost of Eligible Goods & Services
30
Prior Experience with Vendor
25
Availability of Services in Area
15
Local or In State Preference
10
Flexible Invoicing (BEAR 472/SPI 474)
15
Customer Service
5
Total
100
This form is known as the actual E-Rate application. It is the most time consuming of the forms and the most complicated. Do not wait until the last minute to file this form. It can take a significant amount of time to complete the application.
There is a small narrative box on this form. In that section, enter your library name, the service provider that you have selected, the internet speed you will be receiving (in Mbps or Gbps) and whether it is via fiber, cable modem, or dsl.
District LRTs have been trained in completing Form 471 and can answer questions and walk you through the form. Contact your District LRT
There is no filing window for Form 486. Libraries have 120 days from receiving the Funding Commitment Decision Letter from USAC to file Form 486.
District LRTs can answer questions and walk you through the process of filing Form 486. Contact your District LRT.
The State Library's Library Resource Technicians (LRTs) provide each library in the six Iowa districts with technical support and assistance for state-sponsored resources.
