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Date: Wed, 17 Dec 1997 08:37:15 -0500 (EST)
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From: RJurczyk <RJurczyk@aol.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:1324] xpost: e-rate discounts
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The following is crossposted from EDINFO. As you will see, it gives more
specifics on the application forms for telecommunications (e-rate) discounts.
Robin Jurczyk@aol.com
nifl-family list moderator
rjurczyk@aol.com
**********
FINAL FORMS FOR APPLYING for the Universal Service Program,
or "E-Rate" discounts on telecommunications services for
schools & libraries, are now available on our website at:
http://www.ed.gov/Technology/erateforms/
In addition to the 2 forms (Form FCC 470 and 471), you'll
find instructions for filling out the forms & an overview of
the program. The overview provides information on...
What kinds of schools & libraries are eligible
Consortia (which are also eligible)
Calculating the discount
Classifying urban & rural locations
Eligible services
Examples of eligible & ineligible internal connections
Rules of priority
Pre-existing contracts
What schools & libraries must do before applying
The application process
Websites for more information.
Below is a short excerpt from the overview. Also, here are
2 additional items that may be of interest:
* Secretary Riley spoke this morning about the E-rate &
"ways to achieve equity & excellence" in public schools
at the Improving America's Schools Conference in
Washington, D.C.
http://www.ed.gov/news.html#speech
* The application for "21st Century Community Learning
Centers" -- which provides grants for planning,
implementing or expanding after-school projects -- is
expected to be available online by close of business
tomorrow (Wednesday, December 17) at:
http://www.ed.gov/offices/oeri/21stCCLC
=========================================================
Overview of the Universal Service Program (December 1997)
=========================================================
On May 7, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the
Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order ensures that all
eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern
telecommunications and information services. Up to $2.25 billion
annually is available to provide eligible schools and libraries
with discounts, often referred to as the "E-rate," for authorized
services, beginning January 1, 1998.
Overview
--------
Level of Discounts
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discounts range from 20 percent to 90 percent, depending on
economic need and location (urban or rural). The level of
discount is based upon the percentage of students eligible
for participation in the federal free and reduced price
school lunch program. Libraries will use the school lunch
eligibility percentage and urban/rural status for their
local school district.
Services Eligible for Discount
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discounts can be applied to all commercially available
telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal
connections. Discounts are available in all states, as long
as the state adopts intrastate discount levels at least
equal to the federal discounts.
Application Process
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Discounts will be applied as of January 1, 1998, for
qualified pre-existing contracts. For contracts covering
new services with approved discounts, the discounts will be
applied as of the date the contract is signed. A technology
plan must be developed, and approved by an independent
agency, such as a state education or library agency, or the
Schools and Libraries Corporation (SLC). Eligible
institutions must submit a self-certification of eligibility
(attesting that all criteria have been met) to the SLC along
with a description of the services requested.
The percentage discount mechanism for administering this
program means that this program is not a grant program.
Schools and libraries are required to pay only the
"non-discounted" portion of their costs for
telecommunications services, Internet access and internal
connections. The discounted portions of the services are
directly applied to reduce the bills to be paid by schools
and libraries and these amounts will be reimbursed directly
to the service providers from the fund administrator.
Requiring schools and libraries to pay a share of the costs
from their own funds is intended to insure cost-effective
purchases.
Fund Administration
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SLC, a newly formed independent not-for-profit entity
established by FCC rules, has responsibility for
administering the schools and libraries program. The
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), a
subsidiary of the National Exchange Carrier Association
(NECA), has been named by the FCC as the interim, overall
administrator of Universal Service Fund collection and
distribution.
Disbursement of Funds
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once an application has been accepted and approved, the
schools and libraries will apply the applicable discount to
their telecommunications services, Internet access and
internal connections, and pay the remaining portion of the
costs to the service providers. The service providers will
seek reimbursement from the SLC for the cost of the
discounts.
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