The program subsidizes eligible schools and libraries by providing discounts on certain telecommunication services, internet access, and related technologies. These discounts range from 20% to 90% depending on the level of need and location of the institution.
Every E-Rate funding request falls into one of two categories:
Category 1 covers telecommunications which includes services that directly support broadband connectivity to the internet. This category encompasses:
Data Transmission Services: This includes services like broadband internet access, leased dark fiber, and lit fiber, which are essential for providing high-speed internet connectivity.
Category 2 covers internal connections and basic maintenance of internal connections. This category focuses on infrastructure within the school or library building to support network connectivity. It includes:
E-Rate Update
On May 8, 2025, the U.S. Senate voted to remove hotspots from E-Rate funding eligibility. The House has not yet voted on this measure.
Rest assured that even if hotspots are removed as an eligible service, Kajeet will honor the E-Rate data plan pricing which we previously quoted you.
Connecting Communities
The E-Rate program provides discounts on telecommunications and technology services to eligible schools and libraries. This funding can be used to support a wide range of technology initiatives, such as Kajeet SmartBus® school bus wifi, broadband internet access, wireless networking, and more.
If you are interested in using E-Rate funding to support your technology initiatives, the first step is to file Form 470. Once you have filed Form 470, you can begin to receive bids from potential service providers. Once you have selected a service provider, you can submit an FCC Form 471 to request funding.
FCC Form 470, also known as the Description of Services Requested and Certification Form, is the first form that must be filed by a school or library in the E-Rate application process. It is used to describe the telecommunications and technology services that the applicant is seeking funding for.
Form 470 is important because it allows potential service providers to see what services are being requested and to submit bids accordingly. It also serves as a public record of the applicant's needs, which can help to ensure that the bidding process is fair and competitive.
Form 470 must be filed at least 28 days before the close of the FCC Form 471 filing window for the funding year in which services are requested. This gives potential service providers enough time to review the requests and submit bids.
Form 470 must be filed electronically in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). To access EPC, you will need to create an account and log in. Once you are logged in, you will be able to create and submit a new Form 470.
Form 470 requires applicants to provide a variety of information, including:
School Bus Wifi Case Study
Farmington Municipal Schools
Farmington Municipal Schools (FMS) is large rural school district in New Mexico with 21 schools and over 11,500 students, many of whom have school bus commutes of over an hour each way.
Download this case study and learn how FMS uses Kajeet SmartBus school bus wifi to extend the classroom, to eliminate lost learning time on the long school bus commutes, and to help fight digital inequality for its diverse student population.
Keep these tips in mind for filing Form 470:Any Questions?
Kajeet is a leading provider of managed mobility services for education and libraries. Kajeet offers a variety of solutions that can be used to support digital equity initiatives, such as:
Kajeet also offers a variety of E-Rate-eligible solutions to help schools and libraries get the most out of their E-Rate funding. Kajeet can help schools and libraries with the Form 470 filing process, and Kajeet can also provide E-Rate funding consulting services.
And because every Kajeet solution comes with the award-winning Sentinel management and reporting platform included, you can also be assured that any 470 audit requirements can be easily met:
.png)
