What is E-Rate?
With the growth and expansion of technology in schools and libraries, the E-Rate program was established by the FCC in 1996 to help schools and libraries access necessary telecommunications services. E-Rate provides discounts to schools and libraries for their telecommunications services in the form of reimbursements for eligible expenses. The program is overseen by the Universal Service Administrative Company and has an annual cap of $4.15 billion to distribute to schools and libraries each year.
What does HWC’s E-Rate service entail?
We like to look at the E-Rate application process as holistic, meaning we look underneath the hood of your organization’s network setup to determine how you can best take advantage of the E-Rate program, where you can make adjustments to meet your goals, and how services that aren’t reimbursed by E-Rate can be modified to lower your overhead.
Our E-Rate service is comprehensive, but a few of the main items we can take care of include:
Completing all application steps, ensuring compliance with program requirements.
Managing all communication with USAC over the lifecycle of your funding, including application reviews.
Managing all communication with your service provider(s), as it relates to your application.
Overseeing reimbursement.
Preparing and filing appeals, if necessary.
Assisting with compliance reviews, if necessary.
Staying on top of program modifications and latest news.
Watch the below E-Rate webinar for more information, including an overview of the program (applicant eligibility, eligible services, etc.), relevant deadlines, and the most important application tips and tricks!
Please contact us with any questions and for a free consultation and estimate of savings.
Who is eligible?
All schools (including certain non-traditional programs like Head Start, Pre-K, juvenile justice and adult education programs) and libraries (including public, academic, research, and elementary/secondary libraries) are eligible for E-Rate funding, as long as they meet the following criteria:
Fall under the statutory definition of elementary and secondary schools found in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (20 U.S.C. Section 7801(18) and (38)) or library or library consortium found in the Library Services and Technology Act of 1996 (LSTA) (20 U.S.C. Section 9122).
Endowment below $50 million.
Not-for-profit.
Already meet or are willing to meet the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
What is eligible?
Expenses related to telecommunications are eligible for reimbursement. These services are divided into two categories. Category One covers Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access. Category Two covers WiFi networking equipment (such as access points, routers, switches, hubs, and wiring); third-party services for the operation, management, and monitoring of this equipment; and third-party services for the repair and upkeep of equipment (including hardware, wiring, and cable maintenance, along with basic technical support and configuration changes).
For a deeper dive into the eligible services, click here for the latest E-Rate eligible services list.
How much is my organization eligible to receive?
All eligible schools and libraries will receive at least 20% of their eligible services discounted, and can receive up to 90% depending on student need. Click here for the discount matrix. Are you an independent school who is using financial aid applications to determine student eligibility? Click here to find out how to determine which students are eligible.
Other Resources
HWC Consultants is a member of the E-Rate Management Professionals Association (E-mpa).