Domain Restrictions
Domains can be registered in the EDU space by accredited colleges, universities, etc. Also (not listed below) each establishment may only have one registration at a time, with allowances for overlap if they decide to switch to a different domain.
Eligibility for the .edu Domain FAQs
What are the eligibility requirements for obtaining a name in the .edu domain?
Eligibility for a .edu domain name is limited to postsecondary U.S. institutions that are institutionally accredited, i.e., the entire institution and not just particular programs, by agencies on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies. These include both "Regional Institutional Accrediting Agencies" and "National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies" recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Note that institutional accreditation is required for .edu eligibility; program accreditation is not sufficient. Not all agencies accredit institutions. Some accredit only institutions, some accredit only programs, and others accredit both institutions and programs.
It is also important to note that, while every effort is made to keep the EDUCAUSE list up-to-date, the U.S. Department of Education's list of Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and State Agencies are the only official comprehensive lists of agencies.
Are K-12 schools eligible for names in the .edu domain?
No. Only appropriately accredited postsecondary institutions are eligible.
Why do some organizations have .edu domain names even though they do not meet the eligibility requirements?
The Cooperative Agreement between EDUCAUSE and the U.S. Department of Commerce specifies that all .edu names in existence as of October 29, 2001 are "grandfathered," regardless of current or past eligibility requirements.
As .edu domains cannot be deleted explicitly. To delete a .edu domain you have to set the domain renewal mode or default renewal mode to AUTODELETE or AUTOEXPIRE.