E-Rate discount calculator.
Drag the NSLP slider, pick urban or rural, and enter the eligible contract cost. The calculator returns the FCC discount-matrix rate (20%–90%) and the split between USAC's funded share and the applicant's non-discount share.
U.S. Census Bureau urbanized-area definitions determine classification.
Estimate based on the FCC discount matrix currently published by USAC. Actual funding decisions reflect the applicant's confirmed NSLP rate, urban/rural classification, entity type, consortium weighting, and Category 2 budget where applicable. For Category 2, applicant share also includes any cost beyond the five-year budget cap. Verify the authoritative current matrix and applicable rules with USAC before relying on this for a specific filing.
How the discount matrix works
The FCC publishes a 10-cell discount matrix: five NSLP eligibility bands (1–19%, 20–34%, 35–49%, 50–74%, 75–100%) crossed with two locality classifications (urban vs rural). The applicable cell determines what share of eligible costs USAC will fund.
For Category 1 (connectivity), there is no per-applicant budget cap — the discount applies to the full eligible cost. For Category 2 (internal connections, internal broadband, basic maintenance), the calculated USAC share is further limited by the applicant's five-year Category 2 budget.
Libraries take the discount of the school district where they are located. Consortia use a weighted-average discount across member entities, weighted by each member's share of pre-discount eligible costs.
Filter live Form 470s by discount band.
ERateSignal indexes every certified Form 470 with its applicant's discount profile, so you can scope alerts to the bands you actually sell into.
Form 470 alerts →This calculator estimates discount and funding share based on the FCC discount matrix currently published by USAC. It does not account for Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) rate calculations, consortium weighting, library inheritance rules, or Category 2 budget caps. Verify the authoritative current matrix and all applicable rules with USAC before relying on this for a specific filing. ERateSignal is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by USAC, the FCC, or the U.S. Government.