Arizona E-Rate Program

The E-Rate Program is a national program offered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), which administers the Universal Service Fund on behalf of the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). As an independent not-for-profit under the guidance of the FCC, USAC's mission is to bring the high-speed Internet (broadband) to areas of the country underserved by existing utilities. The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program helps schools and libraries connect to broadband Internet and voice services at discounted rates.

 

Link to Free and Reduced Lunch numbers: http://www.azed.gov/hns/frp/

Funding Year 2021—It's Time to Get Started

With the new changes and updates to the E-rate program, we highly recommend that Arizona schools and districts begin preparing for the Funding Year 2021 application now.

E-Rate Forms and Guides

 

Applying for E-Rate

USAC's Schools and Libraries Program "Before You Begin" webpage provides thorough documentation of the application process. To start, you might want to check out their application process flowchart.

E-Rate Application Process Flow Chart

An E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) account is required to apply for the program. If you do not already have an account, contact Arizona's E-rate Coordinator, Milan Eaton.

  • Category 1 and Category 2 services can be submitted on the same 470.  You can also submit multiple 470s.
  • Dates and spellings must be consistent across applications and the FRN. Many applications are rejected due to simple, easy to fix, errors. Double-check all applications and forms before filing.
  • Multi-year contracts, up to 5 years, makes the application process more streamlined.
  • New FCC Form 470 will be only online and is available now.

E-Rate Forms and Guides

  • ALL applicants must file their FCC Form 471 online.
  • Item 21 is embedded in the FCC Form 471 beginning 2015.
  • Discounts are calculated for the organization as a whole.
  • Rural status is determined at the district/system level and only if more than 50% of schools are rural.
  • Do not request more than $170 per student over a 5 year term (it will save you PIA questions later)
  • Include a full list of all Item 21 items (it will save questions later)

E-Rate Forms and Guides

On the day the FCDLs are mailed, you can check to see if you have a commitment by using USAC's Automated Search of Commitments tool.

2020 Arizona Contract Award Determination

From the Information Technology Blog

AzEDS Student Name and DOB Fri, Oct 30 2020

AzEDS is preparing for a move to retain the most recently submitted student name and birth date on a Student Unique ID.
Renewed SSL certificates for AzEDS REST API services Tue, Jul 14 2020 AzEDS

Vendors, We renewed the SSL certificates for AzEDS REST API services on 9th July 2020. Some of you are facing issues after this patch. We are anticipating this could be caused by caching on your end, Please refresh it and try again.