USAC & SLD

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is an independent, not-for-profit organization designated as the administrator of the federal Universal Service Fund (USF) by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). USF helps provide communities across America with affordable telecommunications services.

The Universal Services Fund is maintained through contributions made by telecommunications providers across the country and is disbursed based on four primary support programs:

High Cost Fund. Ensures that consumers in all regions of the Nation have access to and pay rates for telecom services that are reasonable compared to those in urban areas
Rural Health Care. Provides reduced rates to rural health care providers for telecom and Internet services so they pay no more than their urban counterparts for the same or similar services.
Low Income. Commonly known as Lifeline and Link Up, provides discounts that make basic, local telephone service affordable for more than 7 million Americans.
Schools and Libraries. Support goes to service providers that provide discounts on eligible services to eligible schools, school districts, libraries and consortia of these entities.
The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of USAC administers the E-Rate program.

As Administrator of the program, USAC must design and implement operating procedures. Such procedures designed by USAC have been in place since the inception of the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) program. USAC's Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) procedures are reviewed and updated annually and otherwise as needed with FCC Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) oversight and guidance.

The most recent Administrative Procedures were submitted on October 31, 2009:
http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7020244090 (85 pages)