Bringing the World

to Rural America 

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

(DLT) provides enhanced learning and health care

opportunities for residents of rural America through

loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations that finance

advanced telecommunications technologies. The DLT

program has funded more than 920 projects in 48

States and four U.S. territories totaling $306 million.

100 Percent Grant Program Features

DLT grant applications are accepted annually through a

competitive process. The open season for applications

is announced each year, usually in January, through a

notice in the Federal Register. Applicants are required

to provide a minimum of 15 percent in matching funds.

Grant awards can range from a minimum of $50,000 up

to a maximum of $500,000.

Eligible Purposes:

Acquisition of eligible equipment, including:

–Computer hardware and software

–Audio and video equipment

–Computer network components

–Terminal and data terminal equipment

–Inside wiring

–Interactive video equipment

–Other facilities that further DLT services

Acquisition of instructional programming

Acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for

using eligible equipment 

Competitive Scoring Criteria:

Rurality of the service area

Economic need (estimated by the USDA National

School Lunch Program)

Matching funds

Project location in USDA Enterprise Zones

Need for services and benefits

Innovativeness

Cost-effectiveness

Combination Loan/Grant

Program Features

DLT combination loan/grant applications are accepted

year-round, are non-competitive, and do not require the

applicant to provide matching funds. 

Eligible Purposes:

All eligible grant purposes

Medical or educational equipment

Links between teachers and students or medical

professionals in the same facility

Site development and building alterations

Purchase of land

Purchase or construction of buildings

Acquisition of telecommunications transmission

facilities if none exist

Loan-to-Grant Ratios

For projects not involving Electronic Medical Records:

9:1 ratio; $1 in grant for every $9 in loan

$50,000 minimum, $10 million maximum

For Electronic Medical Records projects:

4:1 ratio; $1 in grant for every $4 in loan

$50,000 minimum, $1 million maximum

100 Percent Loan Program Features

DLT loan applications are accepted year-round, are

non-competitive, and do not require the applicant to

provide matching funds. Loan awards can range from a

minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $10 million.

Eligible Purposes:

All eligible combination loan/grant purposes

Project operating costs for the first 2 years

Distance learning broadcasting 

Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

Rural Utilities Programs
For More Information

For more information or to obtain an application packet,

visit the DLT Web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm.

Or write to your local or State USDA Rural

Development office (see the U.S. Government listing in

your phone directory under U.S. Department of

Agriculture) or the National Office at: 

USDA Rural Development

Utilities Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Room 2845

Mail STOP 1550

Washington, D.C. 20250-1550

Phone: (202) 720-0413 

FAX: (202) 720-1051 

PA 2011

May 2009

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities

on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status,

familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs,

reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should

contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600

(voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA,

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence

Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or

call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382

(TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.