1. An Introduction to the Schools and Libraries Program, or “E-Rate”

2. Agenda Introduction Overview Summary

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Maintaining Program Integrity Payment Quality Assurance Program (PQA) Generates quality data for monitoring improper payments

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. 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