USACE-RateLearn
In-Person E-Rate Training Events

In-Person E-Rate Training Events

In addition to fall virtual training sessions, USAC will host in-person training at conferences and events across the country. This page will be updated as events are added.

2025 E-Rate In-Person Trainings

Please note that the in-person training content will be identical at each location. Multiple events are offered to serve as many program participants as possible. For this reason we ask that each entity only attend one event with a maximum of two attendees. E-Rate will monitor registration to ensure this remains equitable among participants.

2025 E-Rate Conferences & Events

  • Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference, September 17 – 20, 2025 | Albuquerque, NM. Event link.
  • International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference, June 29-July 2, 2025 | San Antonio, TX.  Event link.
  • American Libraries Association (ALA) Conference, June 26–30, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA.  Event link.
  • National Tribal Telecommunications Association Tribal Broadband Summit March 31–April 2, 2025 | Chandler, AZ.  Event link.
  • Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), March 31–April 2, 2025 | Seattle, WA.  Event link.
  • Computers in Libraries March 25–27, 2025 | Arlington, VA.  Event link.

Navigating E-Rate’s Website

  • The resources below will help conference attendees understand the E-Rate program.  These online resources address common questions on specific issues and broader E-Rate concepts. We encourage all program participants to explore the E-Rate website!

All participants, new and experienced

  • E-Rate News Brief: The E-Rate News Brief will give you information about funding commitments, tips to help you through the application process, and other timely information. Subscribing to the News Brief is the best way to stay informed about program updates. To learn more and subscribe, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/learn/news-brief/.
  • Cybersecurity Pilot Program: The three-year Cybersecurity Pilot Program, administered by USAC, with oversight by the FCC, provides up to $200 million in universal service support to eligible schools and libraries to defray the cost of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/cybersecurity-pilot-program/.
  • Modernizing E-Rate to Support Wi-Fi Hotspots: Starting in Funding Year (FY) 2025, Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless Internet services that can be used off-premises will be eligible. This will allow eligible schools and libraries to start Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs so that their students, school staff, and library patrons with need can check out E-Rate-supported Wi-Fi hotspots and services to engage in remote learning. https://www.usac.org/?post_type=e-rate&p=163853

New participants

Experienced Users

  • Competitive Bidding Process: The competitive bidding process allows applicants to identify and request products and/or services so that potential service providers can review those requests and submit bids for them. To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/.
  • Allowable Contract Date Refresher: The 28 Day Waiting Period page is updated to include a helpful infographic to further explain Allowable Contract Dates and other important details.  To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/28-day-waiting-period/.
  • Wi-Fi on School Buses: Equipment and services necessary to provide mobile broadband connectivity on school buses are E-Rate eligible when used for educational purposes. To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/learn/faqs/eligible-services/#Bus-Wi-Fi.
  • The Children’s Internet Protection Act: Applicants must certify compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to be eligible for Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) program discounts on Category One internet access and all Category Two services – internal connections, managed internal broadband services, and basic maintenance of internal connections. To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/starting-services/cipa/.
  • Invoicing: Invoicing USAC for the discount portion of the costs for the approved eligible equipment and services can begin after invoicing prerequisites are met. Invoicing is performed within the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/invoicing/.
  • EPC Training Site: Trainers and other program participants can use USAC’s E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) training site to practice filing forms, learn how to navigate the system, and train new users – all without affecting actual information and settings in the EPC production site. To learn more, visit https://www.usac.org/e-rate/learn/epc-training-site/.
  • Tools: These tools provide access to public E-Rate Program data including commitments and disbursements.