E-rate

A part of making your school Web site available to your parents, teachers, and the community means hosting your site on the Internet. Now, thanks to E-rate Underwriting, your Web hosting costs can be more affordable. If your school qualifies (and most schools do) E-rate funds will pay for up to 90% of the cost of School Webmaster's hosting service. So, in addition to the outstanding services you'll receive, including fully customized Web sites developed specifically for your school or district, ongoing maintenance, and personalized customer service, you may now be able to receive discounted Web hosting.


Free & Reduced Students?

Your level of reimbursement will depend on your particular school's eligibility (determined by the percentage of free and reduced eligible students in your school or district) and ranges between 20% and 90%. So, most schools qualify for a percentage of reimbursement.

In order to qualify for E-rate funding for Web hosting services, you'll need to submit a Form 470 to the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). For more information on applying for E-Rate, visit the USAC Web site at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/

If you have already submitted a Form 470 but failed to list Web hosting as part of the services required, you can submit an additional Form 470. School Webmaster's SPIN Number is 143027799.


What is E-rate?

E-rate, or more accurately, the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism, provides discounts to help many U.S. schools receive affordable telecommunications and Internet access. School discounts can range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services, which is dependent upon the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population your school serves.

E-rate is one of the four support mechanisms funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services.

The steps are detailed on the USAC Web site and include:

  • Preparing a technology plan
  • Opening the competitive process (Form 470)
  • Seeking discounts on eligible services (Form 471)
  • Confirming the receipt of services (Form 486)
  • Invoicing for services (Form 472 and 474)

An excellent description of the E-rate process called E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries is available for PDF download. Don't miss out on available hosting discounts; visit the USAC site today.