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The federal E-rate program provides discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections, with priority given to schools and libraries that serve low-income students or are located in rural areas. Since the program began in 1998, a total of $14.3 billion has been awarded, including more than $1.7 billion allocated so far during the 2004-05 school year.
SOURCE: Unpublished tabulations from the Universal Service Administrative Co., 2003-04
