1. E-Rate
Kisha Guillory
EDLD 5306
Summer 2011

2. E-Rate Information
Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund
Provides discounts for schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunication and Internet access
Open to public schools, school districts, charter schools, private schools, and libraries
3. E-Rate Information
Eligibility for services depends on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of population served.
Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium
E-Rate Program discount is based on the percent of the local school district population eligible for the National School Lunch Program
4. Use of Funds
Discounts are provided in two priorities
Priorities 1
Telecommunications services
Internet access
i.e. 800 service, celluar service, conferencing, DSL, domain name registration, and email service
Priority II
Internal Connections
Basic Maintenance
i.e. automatic route selection, cabling, and connectors, and some client access licenses
5. Submit FCC Form 470
Description of Services Requested and Certification Form
Opens a competitive process for the services desired
6. FCC Form 471
Services ordered and certification form
The actual request for funding
Funding for eligible services competitively bid
Is used to calculate the discount percentage to which the applicant is entitled
7. Sample Bid
8. Funding Commitment Decision Letter
Contains SLD decisions on funding requests
If applicant disagrees with the decision then they have 60 days after the date of the decision letter to appeal
9. FCC Form 486
Receipt of Service Confirmation Form
Tells SLD that delivery of services has begun
Funding may be reduced if the Form 486 is received or postmarked after the deadline listed in document
10. FCC Form 472
Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form
Used if applicants wish to request reimbursement for services for which they have already paid in full
11. FCC Form 474
Service Provider Invoice Form
Tells SLD to pay the service provider
Must receive an invoice in order to pay the discount
12. Retention of Records and Audits
Applicants must maintain their records for at five years after the last date of service delivered
FCC randomly visits applicants to ensure services have been delivered in compliance with FCC rules
13. What does your school need to do?
Make sure Technology Plan contains:
Clear goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology
A professional development strategy to ensure that staff know how to use these new technologies
An assessment of the telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed
An evaluation process that enables that school or library to monitor progress toward the specified goals
14. Conclusion
If interested in more information on E-Rate Program visit the following websites:
http://universalservice.org/sl/tools/eligible-services-list.aspx
http://edtechonline.org
http://www.2ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/nonpublic/erate.html
15. Questions?