The Universal Service Fund (USF) was established in 1983 to ensure that all Americans can afford telephone service wherever they live. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandated that the USF should also provide support for schools, libraries and rural health care providers. The USF is generated through contributions from all telecommunications companies in the United States, including local and long distance phone companies, wireless and paging companies and payphone providers. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is a private, not-for-profit organization and is responsible for providing every state and territory in the United States with access to affordable telecommunications services through the USF.

If you are a rural school or library, public or private, interested in applying for USF or already involved in the process, you should click on the "e-rate" button below for current program information. If you are a rural health care provider, please click the "rhcp" button.