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.

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Terms
Program
 Definitions
Service Start Date E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The date that services will commence for an FRN. USAC may adjust this date if it identifies a program violation or a missed deadline.
Service Substitution E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A change in the equipment or services originally requested for an FRN. For additional detail on service substitutions in E-Rate, visit the program’s Service Substitutions page.
SPAC – FCC Form 473 E-Rate

See FCC Form 473.
SPI – FCC Form 474 E-Rate

See FCC Form 474.
State Master Contract (SMC) E-Rate

A contract that is competitively bid and that a state government implements which can be used by eligible entities within the state to procure equipment or services, or both. Visit the E-Rate program’s State Master Contracts page for additional detail about considering an SMC as a bid for service.
State Replacement Contract E-Rate

A state master contract, filed pursuant to a state-filed FCC Form 470, which can replace an existing state master contract that expires before the end of the upcoming funding year.
Telecommunications E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received.
Telecommunications Carrier E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

See Common Carrier.
Tribal Library E‑Rate Advocacy Program (T‑LEAP) E-Rate, Tribal Nations

A program to support Tribal E-Rate applicants in the E-Rate application process. T-LEAP matches participating public Tribal libraries and Tribal College and University libraries with their own Tribal Library Advocate (TLA) who provides one-on-one assistance in preparing E-Rate applications, applying to the program, invoicing, and performing other post-commitment processes. For more information about T-LEAP and to register, visit USAC’s T-LEAP page.
Universal Service E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The principle that all people in the United States should have access to telecommunications (voice and internet) services at reasonable rates. The USF, and later USAC, were established by the FCC to achieve this objective.
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The independent not-for-profit organization designated by the FCC as the neutral, third-party administrator of the USF and its four programs. Collectively, the fund disbursed more than $8.5 billion in universal service support in 2024.
Universal Service Fund (USF) E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

Money collected from telecommunications companies and allocated to the objective of achieving universal service, per the 1996 Telecommunications Act. All interstate and international voice carriers operating in the U.S. must make contributions to the USF equal to a percentage of their interstate end-user revenues. The FCC updates this percentage, known as the contribution factor, quarterly. USAC’s role is to collect and disburse the USF.
Urban/Rural Status E-Rate

A designation for E-Rate program applicants based on U.S. Census data. Entities in areas defined as rural by the FCC are entitled to additional E-Rate program funding in certain circumstances. Visit the E-Rate program’s Urban/Rural Status page for additional details.
Wave E-Rate

A group of funding commitment notifications that USAC issues to E-Rate applicants and service providers on a given date. Waves are usually issued weekly.
Whistleblower Alert E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A hotline allowing members of the public to anonymously report suspected violations of universal service program rules to USAC. These reports can be made anonymously via the USAC Whistleblower Alert Form, by emailing WhistleblowerReports@usac.org, by calling (888) 203-8100, or by U.S. mail to:

Attn: Fraud Risk Group
Universal Service Administrative Co.
700 12th Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20005
Wide Area Network (WAN) E-Rate

A data* network that provides connections from within a school or library to other locations beyond the school or library.

*The voice and video components of a WAN are not eligible for E-Rate discounts.
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