E-rate Update - SLC Provides Status Report and Describes Next Steps for E-rate Discounts
Message Posted August 19, 1998
The Schools and Libraries Corporation has just released a status report on the E-rate program, as well as a description of what will be the next steps. Just to let you know, the PA Department of Education soon will be announcing a round of regional E-rate workshops, being held at the end of Sept. in conjuction with pre-grant workshops on five other grants, to discuss these next steps and walk applicants and service providers through exactly what else they need to do to get their discounts.
-- Julie
STATUS REPORT ON LATEST PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTS
As summer winds down, the Schools and Libraries Corporation is working diligently toward completing the last stages of the E-rate application and funding process for this challenging first program year. What follows is a brief report on our progress to date as well as a "heads up" on next steps for applicants and service providers. For all who managed to squeeze in some well-deserved vacation time, welcome backØand for those whose summer included interaction with our staff on the application review and program planning fronts, many thanks for your cooperation and support.
Data Entry Virtually Complete
Data entry for the more than 30,000 Forms 471 we received within the window is nearing completion. Close to 90% of the applications have been entered into our data systemØmany after fairly extensive problem resolution with applicants. The remaining applications are in the final stages of problem resolution. If you have been contacted for additional information by our customer service staff in Iowa or Kansas, and have not yet responded, please do so immediately.
Program Integrity Process on Schedule
Following data entry, applications are subject to checks by our Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) team to be certain that FCC rules are being followed. These reviews are proceeding in a timely fashion, with approximately half of the reviews complete. While all applications are reviewed, not every application requires contact by our PIA staff. Our thanks to those applicants who have responded quickly and effectively to PIA requests.
Funding Commitment Letters
We are still aiming to issue funding commitment letters early this fall. Although developments over the past several monthsØparticularly changes in the FCC rules of priority and the extensive review of our program controlsØhave slowed the process somewhat, we are determined to commit E-rate funds to eligible applicants for eligible services as quickly as
possible.
Form 486
As you know, your next step after receiving your funding commitment is to submit a Form 486, whic h lets SLC know you have begun receiving services and that we can authorize payment to your vendors for those services. For existing services, you will need to submit your Form 486 within five days of funding commitment; for new services, the 486 is due within five days of
start of services. You'll also use Form 486 to inform us that you are due a reimbursement for discounts on approved services for which you have already paid in full (see Reimbursements, below). The Form 486 is now being reviewed by the FCC. A final draft version of the form will be available for your information on the Web Site within the next several weeks.
Technology Plans
The Form 486 will ask you to certify that you have an approved technology plan and to name your technology plan approver. If you do not yet have an approved plan, you should make every effort to secure approval from your state education agency, your state library, or another third-party approver, such as a private school association, certified by the SLC. For more information about technology plan approval, please call the SLC Client Service Bureau at 888-203-8100.
Reimbursements
Like many applicants, you may be approved for discounts on services you are already receiving or have received and for which you have paid in full. The Universal Service Fund will work through your service providers to reimburse you for these discounts. To receive reimbursement, you will file a special Applicant Invoice to SLC; we will review and approve it for payment via your service provider in the form of a check or a credit. A draft of the Applicant Invoice will be available on the Web Site within the next several weeks.
Vendor Invoicing
Once you have submitted your Form 486, vendors can begin invoicing SLC for your discounts. Vendors may submit invoices on paper or electronically. A draft of the Service Provider Invoice will also be available on the Web Site within the next several weeks.
Program Year Two
We are still aiming to open the application window for the second program year this October. We are currently putting into place improvements suggested by applicants and service providers like you, to whom we are very grateful for thoughtful guidance and feedback.
SLC Staffing
As he announced last week, founding CEO Ira Fishman will step down as of August 28 for personal and family reasons. Chief Operating Officer Kate Moore will take over as acting CEO. The rest of the SLC staff will remain on hand to bring this first program year to a successful conclusion and ramp up for year two.
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Educational Technology
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street
10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Tel: (717) 787-5820
Fax: (717) 787-7222
www.state.pa.us
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