Common Sense MEdia's Explanation of E-RATE and CIPA Compliance |
WHAT IS E-RATE?
The Federal E-rate program provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools in the United States obtain affordable telecommunications and internet access that is so essential for our schools today. E-rate program participants can request funding in five categories of service: Telecommunications, Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served, and range from 20 to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services. To be eligible to receive discounts, a school must meet certain Federal hot lunch criteria. In general, elementary and secondary schools of the Archdiocese are eligible to receive discounts — including both parish and private schools.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, C3 contracts a company called Funds for Learning (FFL), which provides E-rate application services to assist them with their E-rate applications. C3 funds this contract so it is free to all schools. The entire process is managed by FFL on behalf of the schools during the E-rate application timeline, which sometimes extends over eight months. Schools that complete the Category One application process and are approved, receive a discount applied monthly to their Internet service provider bill. C3 created the first Category One Consortium for schools in the Archdiocese in 2019 and plans to create a second Consortium for 2020. Schools that complete the Category Two application process and are approved, receive a discount on the installation and upgrade of their wireless network infrastructure. C3 has created several Consortia for Category Two dating back to 2015 with 204 schools benefiting from utilizing the discount to upgrade their wireless infrastructure.
Here are two articles that provide more information on E-rate:
EducationDive.com Article: https://www.educationdive.com/news/e-rate-trends-report-benefit-schools-libraries/449102/
Eschoolnews.com Article: https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/08/09/districts-e-rate-critical-access/
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, C3 contracts a company called Funds for Learning (FFL), which provides E-rate application services to assist them with their E-rate applications. C3 funds this contract so it is free to all schools. The entire process is managed by FFL on behalf of the schools during the E-rate application timeline, which sometimes extends over eight months. Schools that complete the Category One application process and are approved, receive a discount applied monthly to their Internet service provider bill. C3 created the first Category One Consortium for schools in the Archdiocese in 2019 and plans to create a second Consortium for 2020. Schools that complete the Category Two application process and are approved, receive a discount on the installation and upgrade of their wireless network infrastructure. C3 has created several Consortia for Category Two dating back to 2015 with 204 schools benefiting from utilizing the discount to upgrade their wireless infrastructure.
Here are two articles that provide more information on E-rate:
EducationDive.com Article: https://www.educationdive.com/news/e-rate-trends-report-benefit-schools-libraries/449102/
Eschoolnews.com Article: https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/08/09/districts-e-rate-critical-access/
E-RATE CATEGORY ONE
[ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR MONTHLY INTERNET DISCOUNT]
The Federal (Federal Communications Commission) “E-rate,” program provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools in the United States obtain affordable internet access by providing a discount that is essential for all of our schools today. Program participants may request funding for their Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access. This service type covers broadband connectivity and basic conduit access to the internet. These services cannot include charges for content, end-user devices or equipment purchases (other than those necessary for transmission of Category One services), or other services beyond basic conduit access to the internet. This service type also includes leased lit fiber, leased dark fiber, and self-provisioned broadband networks.
Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services (calculated based on Federal Hot Lunch standards). To be eligible to receive discounts, a school must meet certain eligibility criteria. In general, elementary and secondary schools of the Archdiocese are eligible to receive discounts — including our parish schools and private schools.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, C3 contracts Funds for Learning (FFL), a company that provides E-rate application services, at no cost to the schools, to assist with their E-rate applications. The entire process is managed by FFL, on behalf of the schools during the E-rate application timeline, which sometimes runs over eight months. Schools that successfully complete the application process and are approved, can receive a substantial discount on monthly internet services. Information is available at:
EducationDive.com Article: https://www.educationdive.com/news/e-rate-trends-report-benefit-schools-libraries/449102/
Eschoolnews.com Article: https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/08/09/districts-e-rate-critical-access/
C3 E-rate Category One Consortium 2021
C3 created a new E-rate Category One Consortium (C1C) to allow schools to have the economic benefit from the multi-school negotiated contract and get assistance in contract and other challenges of internet service. The best discount for quality internet service at our schools is the goal.
NOTE: It is very important that ALL school locations remember that contracts for Internet service can not be signed until they are reviewed by C3 staff and the Legal Department. C3 has encountered issues from the way many ISP contracts are written and what is explained to the school by the ISP sales personnel. The bottom line is no matter what is "said" the ISPs will only conform to what is signed. If any school location is unsure and needs help with an analysis about their ISP contract or provider they should contact C3 Project Manager, Paul Hernandez (phernandez@la-archdiocese.org).
Information for Schools Interested in Joining the Category One Consortium 2021
Step #1: Letter of Agency (LOA)
Every school location that wishes to participate in the C1C will need to complete a new LOA. This LOA will be separate from the LOA that every school location has already completed so that Funds For Learning (FFL) can complete the school's E-rate paperwork. This LOA will allow C3 to negotiate the rate, terms and conditions on behalf of the school sites. Every school location will be billed separately by the ISP and be responsible for payment to the chosen ISP vendor.
Step #2: Attend the Consortium Introduction Webinar in January 2021
C3 will conduct a Consortium Introduction webinar in mid January of 2021 to introduce all participating schools with the expected process in the E-rate Consortium process. Items discussed will include CIPA requirements, expected timeline for work flow and school responsibilities towards any changes once service is chosen from the Consortium winning bid.
Step #3: Site Discussion via Zoom
After attending the Consortium Introduction Webinar in January 2021, the school will be contacted by one of the C3 Resource Specialists (C3RS) to review existing services and discuss additional requirements such as construction or installation needed to transition to C1C Internet service provider that wins the Consortium bid. The C3RS will also address school site situations such as multiple contracts and/or bills for the same service and multiple services that are bundled and other conditions that may impact participation in C1C or which need to be cancelled or transitioned over to allow participation in C1C.
[ANNUAL APPLICATION FOR MONTHLY INTERNET DISCOUNT]
The Federal (Federal Communications Commission) “E-rate,” program provides discounts of up to 90 percent to help eligible schools in the United States obtain affordable internet access by providing a discount that is essential for all of our schools today. Program participants may request funding for their Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access. This service type covers broadband connectivity and basic conduit access to the internet. These services cannot include charges for content, end-user devices or equipment purchases (other than those necessary for transmission of Category One services), or other services beyond basic conduit access to the internet. This service type also includes leased lit fiber, leased dark fiber, and self-provisioned broadband networks.
Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20 percent to 90 percent of the costs of eligible services (calculated based on Federal Hot Lunch standards). To be eligible to receive discounts, a school must meet certain eligibility criteria. In general, elementary and secondary schools of the Archdiocese are eligible to receive discounts — including our parish schools and private schools.
On behalf of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, C3 contracts Funds for Learning (FFL), a company that provides E-rate application services, at no cost to the schools, to assist with their E-rate applications. The entire process is managed by FFL, on behalf of the schools during the E-rate application timeline, which sometimes runs over eight months. Schools that successfully complete the application process and are approved, can receive a substantial discount on monthly internet services. Information is available at:
EducationDive.com Article: https://www.educationdive.com/news/e-rate-trends-report-benefit-schools-libraries/449102/
Eschoolnews.com Article: https://www.eschoolnews.com/2017/08/09/districts-e-rate-critical-access/
C3 E-rate Category One Consortium 2021
C3 created a new E-rate Category One Consortium (C1C) to allow schools to have the economic benefit from the multi-school negotiated contract and get assistance in contract and other challenges of internet service. The best discount for quality internet service at our schools is the goal.
NOTE: It is very important that ALL school locations remember that contracts for Internet service can not be signed until they are reviewed by C3 staff and the Legal Department. C3 has encountered issues from the way many ISP contracts are written and what is explained to the school by the ISP sales personnel. The bottom line is no matter what is "said" the ISPs will only conform to what is signed. If any school location is unsure and needs help with an analysis about their ISP contract or provider they should contact C3 Project Manager, Paul Hernandez (phernandez@la-archdiocese.org).
Information for Schools Interested in Joining the Category One Consortium 2021
Step #1: Letter of Agency (LOA)
Every school location that wishes to participate in the C1C will need to complete a new LOA. This LOA will be separate from the LOA that every school location has already completed so that Funds For Learning (FFL) can complete the school's E-rate paperwork. This LOA will allow C3 to negotiate the rate, terms and conditions on behalf of the school sites. Every school location will be billed separately by the ISP and be responsible for payment to the chosen ISP vendor.
Step #2: Attend the Consortium Introduction Webinar in January 2021
C3 will conduct a Consortium Introduction webinar in mid January of 2021 to introduce all participating schools with the expected process in the E-rate Consortium process. Items discussed will include CIPA requirements, expected timeline for work flow and school responsibilities towards any changes once service is chosen from the Consortium winning bid.
Step #3: Site Discussion via Zoom
After attending the Consortium Introduction Webinar in January 2021, the school will be contacted by one of the C3 Resource Specialists (C3RS) to review existing services and discuss additional requirements such as construction or installation needed to transition to C1C Internet service provider that wins the Consortium bid. The C3RS will also address school site situations such as multiple contracts and/or bills for the same service and multiple services that are bundled and other conditions that may impact participation in C1C or which need to be cancelled or transitioned over to allow participation in C1C.
E-RATE CATEGORY TWO
[APPLY ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION]
C3 E-rate Category Two Consortium
C3 has established E-Rate Consortia for Category Two discounts for schools in need of improving their school internet and communications infrastructure. The Consortium is also supported by the C3 funded FFL services and, in addition, has a C3 funded project management company to oversee and coordinate with each school to determine if there are any improvements needed at the school to meet E-rate, IGNITE Grant Program and Maker Initiative standards.
As schools continue to request faster speeds from their Internet service providers, C3 finds the existing equipment and wiring in the schools cannot properly handle increased speeds due to the limitations of the older equipment. In the consortium process, C3 and the consultant meet with schools to address and review their infrastructure and equipment to determine if replacement equipment such as wiring, access points, switches or other equipment is needed to improve coverage, bandwidth and overall access speed.
The contribution portion of a school is based on the school’s overall project cost, less the portion paid by E-rate, which is also calculated using the Federal Hot Lunch Program (FHLP) protocols. For example, if a school’s total replacement cost for upgrades to their infrastructure is $26.815.95, and a school’s E-Rate discount rate is 90%, the school would only be responsible for funding $2,681.60.
[APPLY ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION]
C3 E-rate Category Two Consortium
C3 has established E-Rate Consortia for Category Two discounts for schools in need of improving their school internet and communications infrastructure. The Consortium is also supported by the C3 funded FFL services and, in addition, has a C3 funded project management company to oversee and coordinate with each school to determine if there are any improvements needed at the school to meet E-rate, IGNITE Grant Program and Maker Initiative standards.
As schools continue to request faster speeds from their Internet service providers, C3 finds the existing equipment and wiring in the schools cannot properly handle increased speeds due to the limitations of the older equipment. In the consortium process, C3 and the consultant meet with schools to address and review their infrastructure and equipment to determine if replacement equipment such as wiring, access points, switches or other equipment is needed to improve coverage, bandwidth and overall access speed.
The contribution portion of a school is based on the school’s overall project cost, less the portion paid by E-rate, which is also calculated using the Federal Hot Lunch Program (FHLP) protocols. For example, if a school’s total replacement cost for upgrades to their infrastructure is $26.815.95, and a school’s E-Rate discount rate is 90%, the school would only be responsible for funding $2,681.60.
PARTICIPATING ELEMENTARY & HIGH SCHOOLS
2015
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
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HIGH SCHOOLS:
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2016
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
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HIGH SCHOOLS:
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2017
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
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HIGH SCHOOLS:
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2018
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
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HIGH SCHOOLS:
NONE
2019
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS:
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HIGH SCHOOLS:
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