Understanding E-Rate funding and how to get your school’s share

Everyone knows that schools and libraries can face big challenges when it comes to budgeting enough money for IT projects. Fortunately, the U.S. government’s E-Rate program — administered by the Universal Services Administrative Company (USAC), an independent nonprofit corporation — provides significant funding to help those organizations achieve and maintain adequate internet connectivity and security.

Every year, E-Rate delivers as much as $4 billion to schools and libraries across the country. So, if you’re in charge of IT for a school system — whether it’s a large, multi-campus urban district or a small rural one — you’ll definitely want to do what you can to get your share of that funding.

Overcoming hurdles

Of course, it’s a federal funding program, so you know it’s not going to be super easy to apply for E-Rate funding. In fact, it can be downright frustrating — and it’s not something you want to leave for the last minute. The application is complex, and there are a lot of requirements you’ll need to fulfill just to get your application accepted.

In fact, it’s sufficiently complex that there is a whole consulting industry dedicated to helping schools and districts understand and complete all the required forms. For many schools and districts, hiring a consultant can make a lot of sense. But that obviously involves some up-front costs. And it’s important to keep in mind that the USAC delivers E-Rate funding in the form of discounts.

Get expert insights

If E-Rate sounds like a program that your school or district should apply for, then I highly recommend you start off by attending an upcoming Barracuda webinar called “Leverage E-Rate funding to boost your cybersecurity.”

Senior Manager for SLED Marketing Programs Justin Wong will begin the webinar by providing a detailed overview of how E-Rate funding can be used for cybersecurity projects. You’ll gain an understanding of the annual timeline for applications, limitations and requirements, and the latest changes and updates that have been made to the program.

In addition, Barracuda Solutions Architect Michael Townsend — who has direct experience going through the E-Rate application process in an earlier role as a director of technology/E-Rate coordinator — will help you understand what specific applications, features, capabilities, and solutions may be eligible for E-Rate funding, including the percentage of cost that may be applicable for discounts.

Don’t wait until the application window opens in the fall to start planning how to improve your school’s security posture and enrich educational curricula with the help of E-Rate funding. Attend this fact-filled webinar to ensure you understand what it’s going to take to get your school’s share of this valuable government funding program.