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E-Rate

Your school could be eligible for E-Rate

Funded at $2.25B annually, the federal E-Rate program provides eligible schools and libraries funding in four categories of service—all offered by Verizon.

  • Telecommunications Services
  • Internet Access
  • Internal Connections
  • Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

With E-Rate, your institution may receive a 20-to-90 percent discount off the cost of eligible products and services.

Verizon Business Can Guide You Through the Application Process*

E-Rate eligibility is determined solely by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD)—not Verizon Business. However, our consultants can help you identify conditionally eligible products and tailor your proposed technology purchases for E-Rate compliance.

To arrange an E-Rate application consultation email Verizon Business.

For program rules and application forms, visit the SLD website.

* Verizon Business makes no guarantee of the E-rate eligibility of its offerings. All eligibility determinations are made by the SLD. Schools and libraries are responsible for understanding and complying with all E-rate program rules and for communicating with the SLD as necessary.

9 Steps to E-Rate

1. Prepare Technology Plan Applicant prepares a Technology Plan which must be formally approved.
2. File FCC Form 470: Description of Services Requested and Certification Applicant files this form, usually electronically, listing services requested and bidding and contact information. Form 470 is posted to the SLD website in order for the applicant to receive and review competitive bids. Visit the SLD website to file online.
3. Receive bids during 28-day competitive bidding period The Form 470 must be posted to the SLD website for a minimum of 28 days to allow all interested service providers to bid on the applicant's Form 470 and /or detailed Request for Proposal (RFP). The SLD sends the applicant a Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter that advises the applicant of the Allowable Contract Date. Applicants and providers should not sign any contracts prior to the Allowable Contract Date. Doing so will violate the competitive bidding process and jeopardize E-Rate funding approval.
4. File Form 471: Service Ordered and Certification Applicant files this form with SLD, usually electronically, during a specified filing “window” prior to the start of each funding year. The 471 window generally runs from early November to early February. The applicant uses the Form 471 to identify the products/services and service provider they have selected based upon bids received to their Form 470 posting. The applicant also specifies the amount of E-Rate funding they are requesting for the products/service/pricing selected.
5. Receive Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) from SLD Applicant and selected service providers receive a Form 471 (Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) from the SLD. This is the applicant's opportunity to verify the accuracy of their information and make any necessary corrections within the required timeframe.
6. Await SLD's review of Form 471 SLD processes the Form 471. SLD's Problem Resolution Group may contact the applicant if there is a problem with data entry of the forms. SLD may perform a more in-depth review of the Form 471 via the Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review process to verify the eligibility of the services.
7. Receive Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) SLD approves/modifies/denies a Form 471 funding request via an FCDL. Requests are assigned a Funding Request Number (FRN) and funded dollar amount. SLD sends the FCDL notification to the applicant and affected service provider(s).
8. File Form 486: Receipt of Service Confirmation Form Applicant files this form with the SLD to confirm delivery of services from their service provider and also to certify compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) as required by law.
9. Receive E-Rate Discounts or Reimbursements from the Service Provider SLD notifies the service provider when it approves an applicant's Form 486. At this point, Verizon Business will begin the process of providing E-Rate billing discounts or signing Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (Form 472) forms.

Note: All forms and complete instructions are available at the SLD website.

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Use these valuable tips to help manage your E-Rate application process

E-Rate is a formal, federal program, with formal review and approval processes at every stage. Even minor errors or program violations can jeopardize funding approvals. Follow these guidelines.

  • Access the SLD website for helpful information and all program rules
  • Confirm and adhere to all SLD form filing instructions
  • Understand and meet all program deadlines
  • Comply with all Technology Plan requirements
  • File forms online whenever possible
  • Report inaccuracies, changes, or corrections to the SLD immediately
  • Retain all documentation (bids received, contracts, bills, etc.) relevant to each Fund Year for a period of five years (or more)
  • Organize all records for ease of reference in the event of an SLD review, audit, or site visit
  • Submit separate Form 471 funding requests for each type of service and/or different service provider
  • Submit separate funding requests for each distinct funding category of service:
    • Telecommunications Services
    • Internet Access
    • Internal Connections
    • Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections
  • Do not sign contracts prior to the indicated ‘Allowable Contract Date’ on SLD’s Receipt Notification Letter

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Service Provider Identification Numbers (SPINs) and FCC Registration Numbers (FCC RNs)

The SLD assigns each service provider participating in the E-Rate program a SPIN. Applicants must use this number on all E-Rate forms and SLD correspondence.

Verizon Business SPINs and FCC RNs

Verizon has multiple SPINs and each SPIN has an associated FCC Registration Number (FCC RN). The applicant's location and type(s) of service determines the SPIN(s) that should be used on the funding application (Form 471). In general, Verizon's E-Rate applicants should use the SPIN of the Verizon entity from which they are purchasing their service or with whom they are signing a contract.

The SLD also requires a service provider's FCC RN on many forms and applications.

Find Verizon SPINs and FCC RNs here.

Please contact your local Verizon Business Customer Service Representative or Account Manager to confirm use of the proper Verizon Business SPIN on your E-Rate application.

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Services and/or features are not available in all countries/locations, and may be procured from in-country providers in select countries. We continue to aggressively expand our service availability around the world. Please consult your Verizon Business representative for service availability. Contact us