USACE-RateResources
Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Use this E-Rate Glossary to find commonly-used program terms and definitions. Click the ‘Terms’ column heading to sort the table alphabetically or use the search bar to filter results.

Download the full E-Rate Glossary of Terms or view the comprehensive USAC Glossary.

Looking for E-Rate's specific Eligible Services Glossary? Visit our Eligible Services List page.

  • All
  • #
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z
Terms
Program
 Definitions
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.
Commission E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.
Commitment Adjustment E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The process by which a universal service funding commitment is reduced by USAC. See also COMAD Letter.
Commitment Adjustment (COMAD) Letter E-Rate, Rural Health Care

Letter that USAC sends to a USF applicant whose funding commitment needs to be fully or partially adjusted (de-committed), including recovery of funds, if necessary. The letter explains the adjustment reason and amount and details whether universal service funds must be returned as a result of the adjustment. The letter also provides information on how to appeal the adjustment decision. Appeals must be received within 60 days of the date on the COMAD letter.
Common Carrier E-Rate, High Cost, Service Providers

An organization recognized by a regulatory authority (such as a state public utility commission) as providing telecommunications services to all requesting parties, or an organization that offers such services generally to the public for a fee.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) E-Rate

A mechanism for calculating schools’ levels of need that E-Rate applicants may use as an alternative to annual determinations of eligibility for free and reduced-cost meals under the NSLP. Schools must have at least 25 percent of their students directly certified to qualify for the CEP. For more information on discount calculations in E-Rate, visit the program’s Alternative Discount Mechanisms page. See also National School Lunch Program.
Competitive Bidding Process E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The process through which E-Rate and RHC applicants request bids for telecommunications and broadband services and equipment from service provider companies. USAC program rules stipulate that applicants to either program conduct a “fair and open” competitive procurement by posting bid requests to USAC’s online portals for a minimum of 28 days.
Consortium E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A group of entities that apply together for universal service funding. In the E-Rate program, consortia can run competitive bid processes and/or apply for discounts on behalf of their members. In the RHC program, non-rural eligible HCPs may join consortia that are majority (50%+) rural but may not receive universal service support against their costs and expenses.
Consultant E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A company or individual (non-employee of the entity) selected to perform certain activities related to the application process on behalf of the applicant or service provider for a fee. A Letter of Agency (LOA) or consultant agreement must be in place before the consultant undertakes these activities.
Consultant Registration Number (CRN) E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A unique eight-digit identification number assigned by USAC to a consulting firm or individual consultant.
Contract Award Date (CAD) E-Rate

The date a contract is awarded to a service provider. The CAD, which must be a minimum of 28 days after the day the applicant certifies their FCC Form 470, is needed to certify an FCC Form 471.
Contract Expiration Date (CED) E-Rate

The date a contract ends between an applicant and service provider.
Corrective SPIN Change E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A change to the SPIN featured on one or more FRNs that corrects a data entry error, reflects a merger or acquisition, or fixes some other type of error. It is not the result of a change to the actual service provider by the applicant.
Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access E-Rate

A Category One service type on the Eligible Services List that includes broadband connectivity and basic conduit access to the internet but does not include charges for content, equipment purchases, or other services beyond basic conduit access to the internet. This service type also covers lit or dark fiber and self-provisioned broadband networks. See also Category One Services.
Demarcation Point or Demarc E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The point at which a service provider’s network ends and a customer’s local area network (LAN) begins.
Detailed Audit Finding (Finding or DAF) E-Rate, High Cost

A condition that shows evidence of non-compliance with the FCC rules that were in effect during the audit period. A finding or DAF provides background information and exception details following a USAC audit.
Discount Calculations E-Rate

The method the E-Rate program uses to determine discounts for schools, school districts, libraries, and library systems. E-Rate discounts are calculated using the percentage of students eligible for the NSLP (or an equivalent measure of poverty), the rural or urban status of the school district or library system, and the E-Rate discount matrix. See also National School Lunch Program and Urban/Rural Status.
District Wide Discount Rates E-Rate

The policy that all USF funding requests for any school—or combination of schools within a school district—qualify for a single school-district-wide discount rate.
Document Retention E-Rate

The policy that E-Rate applicants and service providers must retain documentation related to the application for, receipt, and delivery of discounted services for at least 10 years from the last date of service delivery.
E‑Certification (E‑Cert) E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

A process that allows universal service support applicants to certify and submit forms online, eliminating the need for paper copies of forms (and original signatures) and facilitating simpler record-keeping.
E‑File E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

USAC’s online forms submission tool. Allows universal service support applicants, contributors, and service providers to register with USAC, submit forms, view invoices, add or remove authorized users, update account information, and more. Accessible at https://forms.universalservice.org/.
E‑Rate Productivity Center (EPC) E-Rate

The account and application management portal for the E-Rate program. E-Rate program participants use this tool to manage program processes, receive notifications, create and submit invoices, and contact customer service.
E‑Rate Program E-Rate

One of the four universal service programs administered by USAC. Formally known as the Schools and Libraries Program, the program provides discounts to schools and libraries for eligible equipment and services.
Educational Service Agency (ESA) E-Rate

A regional public multiservice agency authorized by state statute to develop, manage, and provide services or programs to local educational agencies.
Eligible Entity E-Rate

An entity that meets the requirements for eligibility to participate in the E-Rate program.
Show
records/page
of 6 pages