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The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund, commonly known as "E-Rate," is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. It is one of four support programs funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.

All eligible products and services under the E-Rate program fall into one of three categories:  Telecommunications, Internet Access, and Internal Connections.

Both the Telecommunications and Internet Access categories are considered Priority One services and are fully funded every year. Since liveSite and liveMail plans offer "Email" and "Web Hosting" services, they qualifiy for discounts under the Priority One "Internet Access" category. Because liveSite and liveMail plans also includes components (software) that are not considered eligible under the E-rate program, a percentage of our service qualifies for discounts.

E-Rate Program Process

While the E-Rate program has served to fulfill the promise of technology in K-12 education, the process of filing for discounts is very time consuming if you don't know the process. Please use this information to your benefit when filling out your 470 form.

Step 1: File Form 470 (Roughly July through November)

The first step in applying for E-rate funds is to file a Form 470 which describes the services your school or district is interested in purchasing.

If you wish to receive a proposal simply check Box 9 (Internet Access) and enter "Web Hosting" along with the total number of users and school sites you wish to cover.

After filing a Form 470, you must then wait 28 days before moving on to Step 2. This 28-day waiting period allows vendors to bid on the services you've specified. During this time, you are obligated to consider any and all proposals that you may receive from vendors. Note, however, that even though you may have applied for a certain service, you are not required to follow through with it in Step 2, should you decide not to.

Step 2: File Form 471 (Roughly November through mid-January)

After the 28 days have gone by since filing your Form 470, you may then sign a contract with the vendor you have chosen. Note: Your contract should contain a contingency clause that nullifies the agreement should E-rate funding not come through for whatever reason. Once a contract has been signed, you must then file a Form 471 which details all of the services you've chosen to implement and names all of the vendors that will be doing the work.

In naming vendors on a Form 471, you will need to provide their E-rate Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN).  Our SPIN is: 143031371. It is listed under Camelback Consulting, Inc., dba Camelback Web Architects.

Step 3: File Form 486 (July and Beyond)

Once the SLD has reviewed your Form 471 and monies have been allocated for that program year, you will then receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) specifying which elements of your application have been funded and which have been denied. If your funding request has been approved, you may then begin to implement your services. Once service has begun, you must then file a Form 486 which informs the SLD that disbursement of funds can begin.

Need help with E-Rate?

Contact Schools and Libraries Division (SLD): The SLD's Client Service Bureau is available to answer questions about the E-Rate program as well as the application process. Their toll-free number is 1-888-203-8100 and their toll free fax question line is 1-888-276-8736. You may also obtain documents using the SLD's toll-free fax on demand service at 1-800-959-0733. For all the up-to-date information on the E-Rate and to file applications online, visit the SLD's website at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/.