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An Introduction to the Schools and Libraries Program, or “E-Rate”
Agenda
• Introduction
• Overview
• Summary
What is the Schools and Libraries Program about?
• Administered by the Universal Service Administration Company (USAC)
• Directed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the acquisition of affordable telecommunications and internet access
What is the Schools and Libraries Program about?
• Supports connectivity
• Funding for 4 categories of service– Telecommunications– Internet Access– Internal networking– Maintenance
• Based on poverty levels and urban/rural ratios
• must provide equipment, software, professional development, etc.
Maintaining Program Integrity
• Payment Quality Assurance Program (PQA)– Generates quality data
for monitoring improper payments
The Applications Process• Step 1: Determining
Eligibility– Schools
• Must provide elementary or secondary education
• Public, private, or charter• Non-profit• No endowment exeeding $50 Million
– Non-traditional• Head start, Pre-K, Juvenile Justice or Adult• Educational Service agency, if providing
elementary or secondary education
– Libraries• Must meet statutory definition found in
the 1996 Library Services & Technology Act, and be eligible for assistance under that act
• Budgets separate from any school• Non-profit
The Applications Process
• Step 2: Develop a technology plan– Details how technology
infrastructure will be used to meet goals
– Must contain the following elements, and be approved by USAC:• Goals & Strategy for usage• Professional Development plan• Technology Assessment Tools• Ongoing evaluation
The Applications Process• Step 3: Open a
competitive bidding process– Filing the Description of
services Requested and Certification form (Form 470)
– Applicants Must:• Describe services or functions
for support• Identify category of services• Identify recipients of service• Follow all state & local laws• Wait 28 days after form 470 is
posted before selecting vendor or executing contract
The Applications Process• Step 4: Select the most
cost-effective service provider– Waiting Period
• Vendor selected after 28-day period is over
– Bid Evaluation• Must construct for consideration of
bids where price is primary factor
– Contract Guidance• May choose vendors from state
master contracts; must comply with state & local procedures
– Document Retention• Must save all documentation for 5
years• Must certify on Form470 their
awareness of possible audit
The Applications Process• Step 5: Calculate the
Discount Level– Applicants must use Services
Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471) to calculate discount via FCC discount matrix
• Primary measure is % of students eligible for free lunch program; district calculates shared discount from all eligible schools
• Libraries use data from school district in which they are located; shared discount calculated from all library branches in school
• Applicant must determine rural/urban status for proper calculation of discount
The Applications Process
• Step 6: Determine the eligible services– Applicants may request
discounts for products and services
– 4 categories• Telecommunications Services• Internet Access• Internal Connection• Basic Maintenance
– Eligibility based on FCC rules
The Applications Process• Step 7: Submit application
for support (Form 471)– May be filed Electronically or by
hard copy
– Must be certified to be considered complete
– Must be post-marked by close of filing window for funding year• Product & services requests filed on item
21 attachment
• Item 25 certification- must certify that funding for non-discounted portion of costs has been secured
• Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) will be issued to applicants
The Applications Process• Step 8: Undergo
application review– USAC reviews all forms 471 to
verify accuracy
– Applicants expedite reviews by:• Submitting complete forms• Responding to clarification requests
within 15 days• Verifying contact information
– Selective Reviews• Applicants supply all documentation
and evidence of funding of non- discounted infrastructure
– Results• In denied, USAC provides Resource
Deficiency Advisory to explain areas where improvement is needed
The Applications Process
• Step 9: Receive you funding decision– Following review, USAC issues
Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDL) to both Applicants and Service Providers
– FCC rules of Priority• Telecommunications & Internet
services funded first
• Internal connection & maintenance receive next priority
– Applicant reviews FCDL for details, as well as technology plan for status and compliance
The Applications Process
• Step 10: Begin receipt of services– Before payment begins billed
entity must confirm:
• Start date of services (submit Form 486)
• Approval of Technology Plan (before submitting Form 486)
• Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (Submission of Form 479)
Using E-Rate for success
• Increased technology
• Increased Equity
• Greater levels of achievement for all students
• For More information, visit the USAC Website:
www.usac.org