E-rate Funding
In order to receive federal reimbursement, districts must file two forms:
A district files a Form 470 to solicit bids for a specified list of products and services. After a competitive bidding process, the district will select a winning vendor and file a Form 471 to request reimbursement for these services. Services that are eligible for reimbursement fall into two categories:
Category 1: What is Eligible for Reimbursement?
Category 1 is Internet Access and Wide Area Networks and describes the connectivity between sites. Category 1 covers monthly service charges and non-recurring/construction costs for direct Internet Access and WAN connectivity between campuses, whether it is leased or owned.
Category 1 Eligible Services:
- Fiber - lit or dark
- Wireless, (e.g. microwave)
- Cable modem
- DSL
- Satellite service
- Broadband over power lines
- T-1, T-3
- Dial-up
- Voice services (VOIP)
Category 2: What is Eligible for Reimbursement?
Category 2 is Internal Connections and describes the connectivity within the sites. Category 2 covers Wi-Fi products and services, usually with a non-recurring charge.
Category 2 Eligible Services:
- Access points
- Antennas and cabling
- Caching
- Network switches
- Firewall services and components
- Routers
- Racks
- UPS/battery back up
- Supporting software
- Managed services, (e.g. Wi-Fi)
- Basic maintenance, repair, and installation