What is an e-rate consultant?
The primary role of E-rate consultants is to help schools and districts identify and complete USAC forms for Internet access discounts. Participating in E-rate application reviews, audits, and appeals. No. We provide guidance about E-rate filing strategies through our website, webinars, and other avenues.
How do I become an e-rate consultant?
Certification
- Knowledge of E-rate program rules, regulations and policies.
- Years of experience consulting with multiple applicants (3+ years)
- Serve as an employee or owner of an E-mpa®-member organization.
- Receive continuing professional education on an annual basis (16 hours)
- Respond to moral character questions.
What can erate funds be used for?
With funding from the Universal Service Fund (fcc.gov/general/universal-service-fund), E-Rate provides discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries.
Who qualifies for E-rate?
Eligible participants include public and most non-profit K-12 schools as well as all public and many private libraries. Program participants must carry out a competitive bidding process to select the most cost-effective companies to provide the goods and/or services requested.
Which law is tied to E-rate funding?
The Children’s Internet Protection Act
The Children’s Internet Protection Act, passed in the year 2000, stipulates that in order to receive E-rate funding, schools and libraries are required to block or filter internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors).
What is E-rate funding?
With funding from the Universal Service Fund (fcc.gov/general/universal-service-fund), E-Rate provides discounts for telecommunications, Internet access, and internal connections to eligible schools and libraries. …
What does the E stand for in E-rate?
universal service Schools and Libraries Program
E-Rate Program – Discounted Telecommunications Services The universal service Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as “E-rate,” provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools and libraries in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.
What can E-rate funds be used for?
The Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program provides discounts to assist eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable internet access and telecommunications services. The E-rate Program supports connectivity, which is the conduit or pipeline for communications using telecommunications services or the internet.
What is covered by E-rate?
The universal service Schools and Libraries Program, commonly known as “E-rate,” provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools and libraries in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access.
Which law is tied to E-Rate funding?
What is E-rate season?
The E-rate application season opens in July of every year and closes in March. The earlier you can get in your applications, the earlier they will be approved and your school can begin planning for updates/advancements.
Who is responsible for the E Rate program?
The E-rate program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company under the direction of the FCC. Specifically, USAC is responsible for processing the applications for support, confirming eligibility, and reimbursing service providers and eligible schools and libraries for the discounted services.
How is the FCC modernizing the E Rate program?
In recent years, the FCC refocused E-Rate from legacy telecommunications services to broadband, with a goal to significantly expand Wi-Fi access. These steps to modernize the program are helping E-Rate keep pace with the need for increased Internet access. (Learn more about modernization of the E-Rate program: fcc.gov/e-rate-update .)
What are the discounts for the E Rate program?
Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and whether the school or library is located in an urban or rural area. The discounts range from 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services. E-rate program funding is based on demand up to an annual Commission-established cap of $4.15 billion.
How does E Rate funding support remote learning?
Comment on Using E-Rate Funding to Support Remote Learning Public Notice: FCC Seeks Comment on Using E-Rate Funding to Support Remote Learning.