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
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
