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E-Rate for CaliforniaE-Rate for California

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List of AcronymsList of AcronymsATO – Authorization to OrderBEN – Billed Entity NumberCIPA – Children's Internet Protection ActCALNET 2 – State Master Contract for Telecommunication ServicesDTS – Department of Technology ServicesEETT – Enhancing Education Through TechnologyFCDL – Funding Commitment Decision Letter FRN – Funding Request NumberSPIN – Service Provider Identification NumberSSD – Service Start DateRAL – Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (Form 471)RNL – Receipt Notification Letter (Form 470) NSLP – National School Lunch ProgramNIF – Non-Instructional FacilityPIA – Program Integrity Assurance

USAC Link: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/reference-area.aspx

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Who Administers the E-rate Program?Who Administers the E-rate Program?

• The federal E-rate program is overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

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How is USAC related to the FCC?How is USAC related to the FCC?

Comprehensive information about the E-Rate program is available at the SLD website:

http://www.usac.org/sl/

USAC is a not-for-profit corporation appointed by the FCC to act as the administrator of the E-Rate program

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The California The California Department of Education (CDE)Department of Education (CDE)

does notdoes not administer administerthe federal E-Rate program.the federal E-Rate program.

CDE has no statutory authority to administer the federal E-Rate program

CDE only provides general information about the E-Rate program including: training and outreach, reference materials, and other publicly available SLD/USAC resources

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Eligibility - SchoolsEligibility - Schools

• Elementary or Secondary education as defined by Education Act, Elementary Act and State Laws (Includes private schools, religious schools, and charter schools)

• Must be non-profit

• Must not have endowment exceeding $50 million

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Pre-K and Adult EdPre-K and Adult Ed

• State law, in conjunction with E-Rate rules, determines eligibility of Pre-K, Adult Ed and Juvenile Justice.

• In California, all three are eligible

• http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step01/non-traditional-k-12/k-12-eligibility-table.aspx

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Eligibility - LibrariesEligibility - Libraries

• Eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under Library Services and Technology Act

• Budget is completely separate from that of any schools

• Must be operating as non-profit

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Eligibility - ConsortiaEligibility - Consortia• Eligible Schools or Libraries may form

a consortia with–Other eligible schools and/or

libraries–Certain health care providers–Public sector (governmental)

entities• Only eligible entities can receive

discounts

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Entity NumbersEntity Numbers

• Billed Entity Number - BEN– http://www.sl.universalservice.org/Utilities/

BilledEntitySearch_Public.asp

• Service Provider Identification Number– http://www.sl.universalservice.org/Forms/

SPIN_Contact_Search.asp

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Funding Commitment ProcessFunding Commitment Process

1. E-rate Technology Planning – What are my goals?2. Form 470 - Starting the Application Process 3. Competitive Bidding4. Form 471 – Selecting Your Vendors 5. PIA (Program Integrity Assurance) Review 6. Funding Commitment7. Form 486 Receipt of Services Confirmation8. Form 472 – BEAR and Form 474 – SPI – Invoicing

“Getting the Money”

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E-Rate CycleE-Rate Cycle

• Funding Year is July 1 – June 30• Funding commitments are made by funding year

(services starting on or after July 1 and ending on or before the following June 30)

• The Window–Form 471 application window –Opens mid to

late fall and closes late January to early February