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E-rate News

FCC Expects to use $5.4 million from USF in FY 2011
FCC News and Announcements
February 02, 2010

This week the President submitted his FY 2011 budget requests to Congress outline his spending priorities.  The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) was authorized by Congress in 2008 to use $21.48 million from the Universal Service Fund to supplement other resources from their budget to conduct a more rigorous oversight of the four universal service programs which includes the E-rate.

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USAC Reports that $500 Million Available for 2010 Rollover
USAC / SLD News and Announcements
February 02, 2010

In its quarterly report to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reported that approximately $500 million in unused funds from previous Funding Years could be used to supplement current and future requests for E-rate discounts.

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SLC Recommends Denying More P2 Requests, Terminating Eligibility Database
FCC News and Announcements
January 25, 2010

At its Quarterly Board Meeting held earlier today, the Schools and Libraries Committee (SLC) made two recommendations to the FCC about the SLD's administration of the E-rate program.

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FCC to Release E-rate Order and NPRM as 471 Window Closes
FCC News and Announcements
January 25, 2010

The FCC has posted a tentative agenda for an Open Meeting to be held on February 11, 2010. The agenda reveals the FCC's plan to release an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which addresses allowing schools to open up E-rate-discounted Internet access to the public during non-operating hours.

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Comment Deadline Set for Updated Proposed CIPA Requirements
FCC News and Announcements
January 19, 2010

In November 2009, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which would update the CIPA certifications made by E-rate applicants on the Form 486. These certifications would be updated to comply with the new requirements created by the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. The FCC's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking has now been published in the Federal Register, establishing the deadlines for stakeholder comments and reply comments.

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E-rate Summary

E-rate Applicant HelpCenter

Looking for help with your E-rate questions? Check out our Applicant HelpCenter for tips, answers, templates, and checklists tailored to the needs of E-rate applicants.

Go to the Applicant HelpCenter

E-rate Blog
It is Time to Increase the E-rate Funding Cap
Commentary
February 8, 2010

Last fall Senator Rockefeller, who was one of the original authors of the E-rate program, encouraged the FCC adjust its rules to "accommodate the impact of inflation".  He further stated in his letter to the FCC that "...the [$2.25 billion] cap that was put in place in July 1997 has an equivalent value in August 2009 of $1.68 billion..."

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Better Audits Around the Corner?
Commentary
January 7, 2010

In its latest semiannual report to Congress, the FCC Office of Inspector General indicated that it will be shifting some E-rate audits off of its desk. While they will still conduct some traditional USF audits, they will be stepping back from the improper payments (IPIA) audits that they have conducted in the past.

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Being in Audit Limbo
Commentary
December 23, 2009

Numerous blog entries have been posted about the audit process, the amount of resources USAC and the FCC have spent conducting audits, and how school districts must absorb the costs associated with responding to an E-rate audit.  The FCC Office of Inspector General recently released a report to Congress that highlights 66 E-rate applicants whose audits were conducted between August 2004 and 2008 but are still not closed.  The possible amount of recovery is over $14 million, however, the FCC has suspended their initial findings until "...completion of E-rate program policy reviews by the Commission and conclusion of a Commissions proceeding seeking comment from program participants on appropriate follow-up measures..."

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What is E-rate?

The E-rate program provides discounts on certain services and products that are essential for classrooms and libraries to receive voice, video, and data communications. The amount of the discount depends on the level of poverty and location of the school or library receiving service. The discount ranges from 20% to 90% of the cost of eligible services.

To be eligible to receive discounts, a school or library must meet certain eligibility criteria. In general elementary and secondary schools are eligible to receive discounts--including many private schools and religious schools. Public libraries and library systems can receive E-rate discounts, provided they meet the eligibility requirements of libraries.

Want to learn more about the E-rate program? Visit the What is E-rate section of our Applicant HelpCenter.

Assistance for E-rate Service Providers and Applicants

Funds For Learning helps decode the complexities of the E-rate program. Our E-rate consulting services are used by both applicants and vendors. We offer training in the form of live seminars and webinars. We can help you get the most from the Schools and Libraries program. Our personnel have years of experience dealing with E-rate. We can offer E-rate service providers insights into generating new business thanks to this program. Our consultants can also help schools learn to take full advantage of the program. We can also help everyone improve their E-rate compliance practices. We also offer a unique web based software solution for both vendors and applicants. Two versions are available, one geared toward the E-rate vendor and another for the applicant.

Please take a moment to examine the free E-rate resources we have made available on our site. Not only will you find an overview of the program and relevant news articles, but also downloadable forms and articles explaining exactly how an E-rate consultant can help you.