Step by step assistance in securing e-rate discounts for basic and long distance phone service provided courtesy of our sister organization in California: The California Assn. of Private School Organizations (CAPSO)

E-Rate

The E-Rate (short for “education rate”) is a nationwide program that offers public and private schools and libraries the opportunity to receive substantial discounts on a wide range of advanced telecommunications services.

E-Rate discounts can be used for both existing school services, such as basic telephone, fax lines, intent lines, cell phones, etc. and for new projects designed to bring a school's technology infrastructure into the 21st century. The E-rate funds a broad range of Internet and telecommunications services, including Internet access, distance learning and videoconferencing service, high speed data connections, phone service, and some internal wiring and network equipment.

Information about applying for the program, including forms, deadlines, and eligibility information, is available from the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) website at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/.

E-rate Frequently Asked Questions

USAC Schools and Libraries Division

Key Provisions of the E-Rate Program

• The program began funding discounts on January 1, 1998. All public and private nonprofit k-12 schools with endowments less than $50 million and public libraries are eligible for discounts.
• Discounts will apply to all commercially available telecom services, including POTS, Internet access, and internal connections, including wireless, wired, and cable.
• Discounts range from 20% to 90%, with a higher discount for rural institutions. Discount rate will be based on the number of children eligible for the federal school lunch program.
• Discounts also apply to equipment necessary to transport information within a school or library, including routers, hubs, network file servers (and necessary software), and LANs.
• Discounts do not apply to computers (except for network file servers), other hardware, software, fax machines, modems, teacher training, upgrades to the electrical system, and asbestos removal.
• Schools apply for discounts by completing an application and filing it with the Schools and Libraries Division.
• All services for which discounts are sought must be subject to a competitive bidding process which is described in the application form and instructions.
• Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Schools will need technology plans which must be approved before the form seeking payment of the discount to providers may be filed.
• Funding is provided through the National Exchange Carrier Association's Universal Service Fund, which reimburses providers the difference between the lowest corresponding price and the discount price.
• WFIS has been designated as an alternative resource for approval of private school technology plans.