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E-rate
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Save thousands of dollars with Software House
International! SHI is an approved technology vendor under the federally funded
E-rate program. Our service provider identification # is 143012572.
The Education Rate (E-rate) Program was created by the Federal Communications Commission
under the Telecommunications Act of 1996.This program requires telecommunications
companies to deposit some of their revenues into the Universal Service Fund (USD), which
then allows school and libraries to qualify for discounts of 20% to 90% on
telecommunications services, networking products, and Internet access. The discount
offered to each educational institutions is calculated based on; (a) whether the school,
school district, or library is located in an urban or rural area and, (b) the economic
status of your students and library patrons. Economic status for schools is usually
determined by the percentage of students who are eligible for free or reduced-lunches
under the federal school lunch program. Libraries may base their discount rate on the rate
received by the school district in which they are located. The average e-rate
discount is more than $60,000. |
| % of students eligible for free or reduced school lunches |
Urban |
Rural |
| under 1% |
20% |
25% |
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| 1%-19% |
40% |
50% |
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| 20%-34% |
50% |
60% |
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| 35-49% |
60% |
70% |
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| 50%-74% |
80% |
80% |
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| 75%-100% |
90% |
90% |
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To apply for E-rate, follow these steps:
(Complete information is available at www.sl.universalservice.org)
- Document inventory of the state of your institution's technology
and the size of your
facility
- Create a technology plan
and submit for approval-According to the Schools and
Libraries Division of the USD, "an approved technology plan should establish explicit
connections between the proposed physical infrastructure of the information technology and
professional development strategies that will lead to specific curriculum reforms or
library service improvements. A carefully developed technology plan will also help to
ensure that you have secured the resources you need to make effective use of your
telecommunications services and Internet access, including: computers and peripheral
equipment, staff training, software, and a budget for operating costs and maintenance. And
finally, a thorough technology plan will include an evaluation process to help you monitor
progress toward your established goals."
- Complete Form 470
- Allow for 28-day bidding process in order to choose a vendor - After 28 days you may
sign a contract with a service provider. Make sure to follow any state and/or local
procurement regulations that apply.SHI's Svc. Provider ID# 143012572.
- Complete Form 471
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