Title: The Discount Matrix can be found a
1E-rate 101
- For Maine Schools and Libraries
2- Simplifying E-rate can be a challenge
- This is brief information and an outline of the
process.
3What is E-rate-able?
- The FCC publishes the eligible services list each
year. - The services on that list are eligible for
discounts from the Schools and Libraries Division
(SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative
Company (USAC) to schools and libraries. - The list can be found at the SLD site in PDF
format http//fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/att
achmatch/FCC-07-182A2.pdf
4Two different service types
5Priority 1 and Priority 2
- Priority 1 services are always funded.
- Priority 2 services are usually only given to
very high level poverty schools - Most schools and libraries in Maine have discount
levels that do not qualify for Priority 2 funds.
6Discounts - NSLP
- The discounts for the E-rate program are based
upon National School Lunch Program (NSLP) data. - So schools that have over 75 of students that
qualify for free and reduced lunch are usually
the only schools that will receive funds for
Priority 2 services.
7Discounts - NSLP
- Library discounts are calculated from the school
district average. - All schools and libraries can receive funds for
the Priority 1 services. - The Discount Matrix can be found at
http//www.universalservice.org/sl/applicants/step
05/discount-matrix.aspx
8Priority 1 Services
- Telecommunication Services Telephone (local, long
distance, cell phone services) - Digital Transmission Services - (T1, ATM, OC1,
DSL) - Internet Services (access to Internet)
9Priority 2 Services
- Internal Connections (wiring, hubs, switches,
cabling, some types of servers) - Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
- Two in Five Rule - These services can only be
funded 2 times every 5 years
10E-rate and Technology Plans
- All services except telephone services require an
approved technology plan. - The timing of when the plan is written and when
services are requested is one of the sticking
points in the program that can cause problems. - The plan needs to be dated before the Form 470 is
filed.
11E-rate and Technology Plans
- Schools and libraries need to keep copies of the
technology plan and the approval letter for audit
purposes. - Schools and libraries also need to keep copies
of all E-rate paperwork for 5 years after the
last date of service.
12E-rate and Technology Plans
- Technology Plans Must meet 5 criteria for E-rate
- http//www.universalservice.org/sl/applicants/s
tep02/technology-planning/ - Private Schools and libraries just need these 5
elements - Public schools need to meet NCLB Title IID,
E-rate and Chapter 125 requirements - More info at the E-rate website
- http//www.maine.gov/msl/erate/
135 Criteria
- The plan must establish clear goals and a
realistic strategy for using telecommunications
and information technology to improve education
or library services
145 Criteria
- 2. The plan must have a professional development
strategy to ensure that staff know how to use
these new technologies to improve education or
library services
155 Criteria
- 3. The plan must include an assessment of the
telecommunication services, hardware, software,
and other services that will be needed to improve
library services
165 Criteria
- 4. The plan must provide a sufficient budget to
acquire and support the non-discounted elements
of the plan the hardware, software, professional
development and other services that will be
needed to implement the strategy and
175 Criteria
- 5. The plan must include an evaluation process
that enables the library to monitor progress
toward the specified goals and make mid-course
corrections in response to new developments and
opportunities as they arise.
18Technology Plans
- Must be written prior to the Form 470 filing
- Should have a creation date that pre-dates the
Form 470 - Should be written for 3 years but can be
updated/modified if significant changes are
needed - Needs to be approved by July 1 but actually needs
to be written in the previous fall.
19E-rate Forms
- There are four basic forms - all can be filed
online now. - Form 470
- Form 471
- Form 486
- Form 472
- File forms online at
- http//www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp
20Form 470
- Request for services
- RFP of sorts opens competitive bidding process
- Must be posted for at least 28 days
- Keep track of all bids
- Filed once for a multi-year contract
- Filed annually for telephone
- Contracts must be signed and dated before the
Form 471 is filed.
21Form 471
- File after the Form 470 has been posted for at
least 28 days and contracts are signed (if the
service requires a contract) - Indicates what vendor has been selected
- Item 21 attachment now online fill out
carefully and accurately to avoid problems in PIA
reviews
22Form 486
- Filed after the school or library receives a
Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) - Filed after services have begun. (Usually after
July 1 but before October 30exact timing depends
on the date of the FCDL). 120 days after FCDL - This is the form that everyone forgets to do!
- The Form 486 states that services are now being
received - Certifies to technology plan existence, if needed
- Certifies to CIPA
23Form 472
- Filed to invoice for reimbursement once bills
have been paid. (Can be yearly, quarterly, etc) - Some schools and libraries receive discounts on
each monthly bill rather than invoice at the ends
of the year. - Now online no faxing
24PINS
- PINs are digital signatures that allow you to
certify forms online - PIN FAQ for Applicants
- http//www.usac.org/sl/tools/search-tools/applica
nt-pin-faqs.aspx
25PINS
- PINs are automatically generated, mailed, and
ready to be used once the applicant has certified
any one of the forms. - PINs are assigned to a person at a location
- PINS should be disabled if someone leaves and a
new PIN obtained
26E-rate Reviews PIA, site visits, denials appeals
- As forms are filed they are reviewed by staff at
the SLD - Schools and libraries may be asked to provide
additional information. - Contracts, dates of contracts and types of
services are reviewed for compliance.
27E-rate Reviews PIA, site visits, denials appeals
- This process can cause stress and lead to appeals
and lost funding. - Following the process and filling in forms
accurately can alleviate a good percentage of
these problems.
28Money for Maine
- Although the process can be a burden there is a
lot of money to be saved by schools and
libraries. - Maine had funding commitments for 2006-2007 that
amounted to over 7.2 million dollars
29Money for Maine
- But each year money is lost to schools and
libraries due to paperwork errors, contract
errors, etc that come up during the review
process. - Is the money you get back worth the time and
effort?
30We are here to help!
- Janet McKenney
- Public Library and MSLN E-rate Coordinator
- janet.mckenney_at_maine.gov
- Sylvia K. Norton
- School E-Rate Coordinator
- sylvia.k.norton_at_maine.gov
31Useful E-rate Links
- Maine E-rate website
- http//www.maine.gov/msl/erate/index.shtml
- SLD Website Apply Online
- http//www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp
- NSLP Data (Maine DOE)
- http//portalx.bisoex.state.me.us/pls/doe_sfsr/sf
srdev.ed534.ed534_parameters
32- Discount Matrix
- http//www.universalservice.org/sl/applicants/ste
p05/discount-matrix.aspx - Data Retrieval Tool
- http//www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/search-t
ools/data-retrieval-tool.aspx