E-rate Commentary

John Harrington, CEMP

by John Harrington

The FCC Is Asking Big Questions About E-rate. Here’s How We Answer.

Last week, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that asks some of the biggest questions the E-rate program has faced since it began. Should the program be...

by Heidi Leonard

Your Project Changed After Approval. Here’s What You Can Do Next.

If you’ve worked through an E-rate project from planning to implementation, you know one thing is almost guaranteed: something will change. Whether it’s discontinued equipment, shifting needs, or vendor updates, substitutions give applicants a...

Eric Jester, CEMP

The Correction Window You Might Not Know About: RAL Modifications During PIA Review

In FY 2025, 4,848 FRNs (18.4% of all FRNs that received any PIA action) were modified in response to a RAL modification request submitted by the applicant. (Source: E-rate Manager®.)...

by Heidi Leonard

Understanding NSLP Counts in E-rate: What to Expect During PIA Review

If USAC selects your application for Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review, one of the first things they’ll ask about is your discount rate, and the documentation behind your National School Lunch Program (NSLP) numbers. Here’s what they want to see, and how to...

by Neal Brautigan

BEAR vs. SPI: Which Invoicing Method Is Right for You?

Choosing between BEAR and SPI is a decision every applicant has to make. In a recent article, we walked through the most common ways applicants get tripped up at invoicing. This decision is one...

by Patrick Burke

A New Era of E-rate Bidding Starts in 2028. Here’s What It Means for You.

If you run E-rate filings for your district or library, the way you document competitive bidding is about to matter more than it ever has. On April 30, the FCC...

by Joseph Guercio

From Fear to Fearless: My Journey to Graduation and Growth at Funds For Learning

Joe Guercio, E-rate Guide at Funds For Learning, with his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. Walking across the stage to receive my degree from the University of...

Eric Jester, CEMP

Why USAC Keeps Changing Your Internal Connections Categories — And What To Do About It

If USAC flagged one of your line items this funding year, there’s a good chance it was a category change. In Funding Year 2025, more than 4,500 funding requests — nearly 1 in 6...