USAC compliance that holds. We've been proving it since 1996.
We provide you with the best available carrier solution, deliver and manage the service, and make USAC billing and documentation turnkey. Every month, from day one.
- In E-Rate since the year it launched
- Every invoice, correctly discounted, every month
- One team, end to end
USAC compliance that holds. We've been proving it since 1996.
We provide you with the best available carrier solution, deliver and manage the service, and make USAC billing and documentation turnkey. Every month, from day one.
- In E-Rate since the year it launched
- Every invoice, correctly discounted, every month
- One team, end to end
The funding your institution deserves exists, but it can be hard to claim
E-Rate and the Rural Health Care Program are built to help institutions like yours, but the funding only holds if the details are handled right:
- Competitive bidding must be documented
- Delivered service must match what was approved
- Every invoice must apply your discount correctly
We work alongside your E-Rate or RHC consultant. Once your bid is posted, we quote every available carrier, deliver the service, and keep your billing and documentation audit-ready, so the funding you've secured stays secure.
From competitive bid to turnkey support, we make USAC billing simple
The forms are different. But our process is the same: we quote every available carrier, deliver the service, and manage billing and documentation so you're never chasing paperwork.
Competitive bidding
When your Form 470 or Form 461 goes out for bid, we quote every available carrier option and bring you the best solution for your sites, your budget, and your funding. No single-carrier bias, no one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Service delivery
Once USAC commits your funding, we manage service delivery. Your dedicated project manager coordinates installation across every site, keeps you informed at every milestone, and ensures the service delivered matches what was approved, down to the last detail.
Turnkey support across every circuit
Once service is live, EM3 is your single point of contact for support and billing, even across multiple carriers. One team to call, one invoice to read, regardless of how many providers are behind your connectivity.
Invoicing & discount application
We handle invoicing in whichever method works best for you: SPI (your discount is applied monthly, so you only ever pay your share) or BEAR (full billing at the standard rate, so you can file for reimbursement directly with USAC). Your discount appears on every invoice, clearly and correctly, every month.
No guesswork on cost: your discount is locked in before the contract is signed
Before your contract is signed, we send you a full pricing sheet with every service listed, your E-Rate or RHC discount already applied, and all estimated taxes, fees, and surcharges included. That document is the baseline for every invoice you'll receive. We support both billing methods and will help you decide which is the right fit for your institution.
Billed entity applicant reimbursement
You're billed at the full service cost, then file Form 472 yourself to claim reimbursement directly from USAC. We provide the documentation you need to file quickly and accurately. Some institutions prefer this approach for how it fits their accounting; we'll walk through both options and recommend the one that suits you.
Service provider invoice
Your E-Rate discount is applied to every invoice. You pay only your approved share from day one: better cash flow, less administrative overhead. Each invoice shows your discount percentage, Fund Year, FRN, Total Client Due, and applicable surcharges. Once Form 486 is approved, that rate is locked in for the full funding year.
We make your USAC billing our priority
Every invoice, filing record, and compliance document, organized and always accessible
ClearView is your client portal for the full life of your funding relationship with EM3. Your entire USAC history, from the first application to the latest invoice, in one place.
Invoices that match your application, every month
Your approved discount, Fund Year, and FRN reference appear on every invoice, automatically, correctly, from day one.
- Correct discount % applied every month
- Fund Year and FRN always present
- Total Client Due clearly itemized
Complete history across every interaction, in one place
Open and track billing and technical tickets directly in ClearView. No fragmented email threads. No explaining your situation from scratch every time you call. Your entire support history, across every service and every site, is visible to your account manager and to you.
One consolidated interface for invoices and account balances
Your E-Rate or Rural Health Care Program discount is already applied, with no reimbursement chasing and no end-of-month surprises. Download the statements and supporting documents your team needs for USAC audits without digging through emails or calling your account manager.
Understanding the program makes every funding cycle go more smoothly
The more your team understands about how E-Rate and the Rural Health Care Program work, the better positioned you are to get the most from them. These resources are a useful starting point, and we're always happy to walk through anything that needs more context.
- Document
What's eligible this funding year
The FCC updates eligible services annually. This document outlines what qualifies for E-Rate funding in the current funding year, and what doesn't.
View FCC eligibility guidance - Document
The E-Rate application process: a visual overview
A clear visual overview of the full E-Rate cycle from Form 470 through invoicing. Useful for anyone new to the program or preparing for their first application.
Download USAC flowchart - Video
E-Rate application process: video walkthrough
USAC's step-by-step video guide to the application process. A solid introduction for technology coordinators and business managers approaching E-Rate for the first time.
Watch USAC walkthrough