Core Requirement
To qualify for E-rate discounts, an entity must meet the program's definition of a school or library.
School Eligibility
Schools must satisfy the statutory definition from the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 7801(18) and (38)). Elementary schools are "non-profit institutional day or residential school[s]" providing elementary education per state law, including public charter schools. Secondary schools similarly must be "non-profit institutional day or residential school[s]" offering secondary education through grade 12, also including public charter schools. Non-traditional facilities—pre-K, Head Start, juvenile justice, and adult education programs—may qualify depending on whether they align with the state's elementary and secondary education definitions.
Library Eligibility
Libraries must meet statutory criteria from the Library Services and Technology Act of 1996 (20 U.S.C. Section 9122) and be eligible for state library administrative agency assistance. Qualifying types: Public libraries, Public school libraries, Academic libraries, Research libraries offering publicly available scholarly materials, Private libraries (if the state designates them as eligible). Libraries must operate as independent entities with separate budgets.
Consortium Eligibility
Groups of eligible schools and libraries can form consortia to collectively seek competitive bids and E-rate funding for their members.