AI Features
AI Q&A Chat
A chat assistant for E-Rate questions about eligibility, forms, timelines and compliance. It answers from a knowledge base built on USAC source documents, and it keeps a history of your conversations. In the console it's AI Q&A under Tools.
Knowledge base
For each question, the assistant looks up the most relevant entries in a knowledge base drawn from:
- FY2026 Eligible Services List (DA 25-1069)
- USAC E-Rate Glossary
- USAC FY2026 Training Materials
The assistant answers mainly from those entries. It may add general E-Rate knowledge when that doesn't conflict with them.
Under each answer you'll see a Source line and a confidence badge. Both come from the knowledge base entry that best matched your question. Some entries also carry a warning, which appears in a yellow note under the answer.
Starting a conversation
Click AI Q&A under Tools in the sidebar. If you haven't asked anything yet, the E-Rate Assistant screen shows four suggested questions. Clicking one puts it in the message box so you can edit it or send it as is.
Type your question and press Enter to send. Press Shift+Enter for a new line.
Conversation memory
The assistant remembers the conversation so far, so you can ask follow-ups without repeating yourself. For example, you can ask "Are wireless access points eligible?", then "What about the licensing?", then "And a standalone controller?"
The 20 most recent messages are sent with each question. A single message can be up to 4,000 characters.
Managing conversations
Conversations are saved to your account automatically and listed on the left, most recent first. Each one is titled with your first question.
- New Chat — start a fresh conversation
- Switch conversations — click any saved conversation to reload it
- Delete a conversation — hover over it and click the trash icon
Confidence levels
| Level | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Confirmed | Taken from the knowledge base |
| Best Practice | Consistent with USAC guidance but not stated outright |
| Unverified | General E-Rate knowledge. Check it with USAC |
Limitations
The assistant can't see your account, your FRNs or your application status. To look up real filings, use Form 470 Search, Form 471 Search or District C2 Lookup. For questions about your own account, contact USAC.
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