Norman Public Schools
E-Rate Menu
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
commissioned the Universal Service
Administrative Company (USAC) to administer the federal
Universal Service Funds (USF)
which provide communities across the country with affordable telecommunication
services.
The Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism -
commonly called E-Rate* (or Educational Rate) -
allows most schools and libraries in the United States
to obtain discounted Internet access and telephone services.
The Schools and Libraries Division
(SLD) is the branch of the USAC that oversees USF/E-Rate funds
for qualifying schools and libraries.
* Educational Rate (or Education rate)
is abbreviated and capitalized differently by various government agencies
and, less frequently, by individuals within the same agency.
The FCC seems to prefer E-Rate or e-rate while the SLD splits
the difference by typically using E-rate.
You may also see eRate used occasionally by those -
and other - organizations.
Note: Some of the menu items below link to documents in the
Microsoft Word (DOC) or
Adobe Reader
(PDF) formats.
For Our Service Providers, Vendors, & Bidders
E-Rate RFPs - New for 2012
NPS Requests For Proposal for Universal Service
Fund (E-Rate) funding year 2012 (July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013)
Doing Business With Norman Public Schools
Become an NPS vendor
NPS Building Count for OUSF (PDF)
A site-by-site listing of the number of NPS buildings which offer
both instruction and Internet access for students.
SLD Links
New to E-Rate?
Here's a list of steps to bring new applicants up to speed
on the E-Rate process. The links below open in a new
browser window or tab. When finished reading, close that window
or tab to return to this page and proceed to the next step.
Read the
E-Rate Overview (very general).
Print the SLD
Application Process Flow Chart.
Print the NPS
E-Rate Applicant Timeline.
Reference the flow chart and timeline as you read the
E-Rate application steps.
You can click on each step on that page to read more details.
After you have a basic understanding of the process from the links above,
you may want to view some or all of the 6 hours of
2006 SLD E-Rate Training Presentations
courtesy of Florida's Panhandle Area Educational Consortium.
Use the links to the left to learn more.
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SLD
This is the official web site for the Schools and Libraries Division
of the Universal Service Administrative Company
(USAC).
In addition to offering the latest news about program changes
and form deadlines this site also links to many of the SLD resources below.
SLD - Reference Area
Information the SLD provides about the E-rate program. If you are new to E-Rate,
I recommend the E-Rate Overview. The Eligible Services section offers
the definitive references on eligibility of sites, services, and equipment.
Recommendation: Using the terminology and descriptions from this list in
funding requests and support materials might help avoid some eligibility
questions (and requests for additional support materials) later.
SLD - Training Presentations
Powerpoint presentations on a variety of E-Rate topics.
SLD - WebEx Presentations
Recorded and live WebEx sessions on key SLD topics.
SLD - Tip sheets
Tips and do's & don'ts for E-Rate and Technology Plans.
SLD - Search Tools
Tools to assist Schools and Libraries Program participants in applying for discounts,
tracking disbursements, and obtaining other frequently requested information.
This section includes the
Deadlines Tool, the
Data Retrieval Tool, the
Advanced Search Tool, and several other tools and links.
AOI: Don't overlook the handy Google seach bar we've provided at the top
of this SLD section that allows you to search the SLD web site.
SLD - Eligible Services List
This is the official E-Rate eligibility list for services and equipment.
It is divided into four sections. Priority 1 funding requests include
Telecommunications Services and Internet Access which have
received funding every year.
Priority 2 funding requests include Internal Connections and
Miscellaneous items. Only the the most financially disadvantaged schools
and libraries receive Priority 2 funding. The
Eligible Services Framework provides overview of E-Rate eligibility for
products and services. The SLD also offers a
FAQ which answers some of the more common eligibility questions.
You can get a sneek peek at the draft version of the 2011 ESL on the
E-Rate Central
web site and on the
FCC
web site.
SLD - How to Apply
Step-by-step procedure for the E-Rate application process including expectations
for technology plans
and how to file FCC forms. The SLD also offers
a printable flow
chart of the application process in PDF format.
SLD - Forms & Instructions
Printable (PDF) copies of FCC Forms 470, 471, 472, 479, 486 & 500 and the instructions
for completeing the forms. You should always check the SLD web site for the most
current E-Rate forms and instructions. If the SLD forms page is
temporarily unavailable you might also check E-Rate Central's
Forms Rack.
But, keep in mind, it's your responsibility to ensure you are using the latest forms!
SLD - Apply Online
File FCC Forms 470, 471, and 486 online
Automated Search of Commitments
Use this tool to search for funding commitment information by Funding Year (FY), wave number,
state, and/or applicant name
SLD - Contact Info / Questions
The SLD will answer questions via email or telephone:
Submit
A Question using the SLD online form to receive a response via email.
Call the SLD Client Service Bureau at 1-888-203-8100.
This is an automated help menu.
If none of the prepared answers address your concerns you can request a "call back"
or press 0 to speak with a representative.
Ancillary E-Rate Links
USAC
This is the official web site for the Universal Service Administrative Company.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated the USAC as the administrator
of the federal Universal Service Fund (USF). The USAC is the parent organization of
the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) who oversees the USF for schools and libraries.
NCES
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) - includes free & reduced lunch
statistics (dated 1-2 years). Schools need an NCES code to file a Form 471.
Libraries need an FSCS code.
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NPS - NCES data for Norman Public Schools
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Schools - Search for Schools (NCES)
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Libraries - Search for Libraries (FSCS)
CIPA
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21, 2000.
Schools (and Libraries?) applying for USF reimbursements must certify compliance with CIPA.
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SLD - CIPA Requirements for E-Rate
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E-Rate Central - CIPA Resources
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ALA - CIPA info for libraries
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IFEA - counterpoints (against Internet filters)
E-Rate Help & Info Links
E-Rate Central
Lots of good E-Rate info maintained by and for the Sate E-Rate Coordinators Alliance (SECA).
E-Rate Wiki
An E-Rate "wiki" hosted by Wesley Fryer,
Director of Education Advocacy (PK-20) for AT&T Oklahoma
NY E-Rate Resources
New York State E-Rate Resource Area (provided by E-Rate Central)
US DoE (dated)
US Dept of Education archive of E-Rate information. Click
here to see
another US DoE web page on E-Rate. Both are useful for an overview but both are dated.
CA DoE (dated)
E-Rate info provided by the California State Department of Education. Some info is
specfic to California but much is useful to others as well.
OUSF Links
OUSF allows credit of up to $246 (in 2006) per instructional building
to augment USF reimbursements for Internet access - including WAN/data services
Oklahoma Universal Service Fund (OUSF) Menu
OUSF Information provided by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC)
School Internet Form
Official OCC form to receive OUSF credits for Internet access
- in Microsoft Word format.
From a Windows computers you can right-click on the link, then Save As
to save a copy you can edit in Word.
OneNet OUSF Info
OneNet (the official ISP for Oklahoma government & education) provides copies of some OUSF forms
and documents such as:
Rules (PDF) &
School Internet Form (PDF)
NECA
The National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) administers the state universal service
programs for Oklahoma and some other states
NPS Building Count for OUSF (PDF)
A site-by-site listing of the number of NPS buildings which offer
both instruction and Internet access for students.
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