From the front page of : http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/nonpublic/erate.html

“The E-rate program is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The program was set up in 1997 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order was designed to ensure that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services. Up to $2.25 billion annually is available to provide eligible schools and libraries with discounts under the E-rate program for authorized services.”