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E-rate Overview

E-rate Overview. By TDS. What’s included in this E-rate overview:. Quick summary Key steps in the process Timing Terms Contact information. Quick Summary. A government program Provides about $2.25 billion annually to schools and libraries

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E-rate Overview

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  1. E-rate Overview By TDS

  2. What’s included in this E-rate overview: • Quick summary • Key steps in the process • Timing • Terms • Contact information

  3. Quick Summary • A government program • Provides about $2.25 billion annually to schools and libraries • Makes telecommunications and Internet access more affordable • Focus is grades K-12 • Program provides reimbursements of up to 90% of eligible products/services

  4. Quick Summary - continued • A funding year generally matches the school year – running from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next year • Key players • FCC (Federal Communications Commission) provides direction • USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) administers the Universal Service Fund • SLD (Schools & Libraries Division) administers the E-rate program

  5. Quick Summary - continued • Categories for Funding • Telecommunications • Internet Access • Internal Connections • Basic Maintenance on Internal Connections • Telecommunications and Internet Access are Priority 1 Services, meaning they’re funded first • Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance on Internal Connections are Priority 2 Services, funded after Priority 1

  6. Key Steps in the Process • Develop a Technology Plan (what you want funded and how you’ll use it to improve education) • Post a Form 470 on the Schools and Libraries Web site (Services Sought - opens bidding) • Go through the bidding process, then sign a contract with a vendor (if contracted service) • File Form 471 (Services Ordered)

  7. Key Steps… - continued • SLD sends a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) to you about how much they’ll fund • File a Form486 (Services Have Begun) • SLD sends a 486 letter listing the approved amount

  8. Key Steps… - continued • TDS will send you an email asking if you prefer reimbursement by check or on your bill • If you want a check, file a BEAR/Form 472 for service you’ve already received and paid for • SLD will send the reimbursement to TDS, and TDS will send a check to you • If you want reimbursment applied to your bill, please provide information as we request it

  9. Timing • Form 470 (services sought) • Post between May and early January for the following school year (exact dates vary – refer to SLD Web site) • Form 471 (services ordered) - During filing “Window” – typically from early November until early February • Form 486 (services have begun) - Between July 1 of new funding year and deadline • Form 472/BEAR – It’s your choice how often you wish to file the form for reimbursement by check

  10. Terms • Funding Request Number – FRN • SLD assigns a number to each separate request for service, for each funding year • If you contact TDS to ask an E-rate question, it’s helpful to provide the FRN so we can quickly access information for you

  11. Terms - continued • SPIN – Service Provider Identification Number • A unique number assigned by SLD to each vendor participating in the E-rate program • If you need a SPIN, contact TDS E-rate Customer Care (see contact info at end of this presentation) • SPIN Change – a process an applicant follows to change from one service provider to another during a funding year

  12. Terms - continued • Billed Entity Number (BEN) – a unique number USAC assigns to each school and library for the E-rate program • Pre-discounted Amount – the estimated total cost of a product/service, before any E-rate reimbursements are applied • Funding Commitment Decision Letter – notification from SLD about the amount of E-rate funding approved

  13. Terms - continued • Eligible Services • The SLD Web site includes a list of products and services that are eligible for E-rate funding • Eligibility may depend on configuration, or how the service is used • FCC rules determine what’s eligible

  14. Where to Go For Help – TDS Customer Care • Phone 888-846-6586 (toll free) • FAX 888-837-0022 (toll free) • Email erateupdates@tdstelecom.com • Web site www.e-rate.tdstelecom.com

  15. Where to Go For Help –Schools & Libraries • Hotline 888-203-8100 (push “0” for a representative) • Web site www.usac.org/sl

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