Classroom Connectivity Initiative in Texas: E-rate and State Matching Fund Process
The Classroom Connectivity Initiative in Texas outlines how E-rate and State Matching funds work to make telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries. With federal E-rate discounts ranging from 20% to 90%, and state matching funds providing dollar-for-dollar support for Category 1 fiber projects, schools can access crucial connectivity infrastructure while reducing their financial burden. The process involves applying for funds, meeting monitoring requirements, and receiving disbursements, ultimately leading to improved connectivity for educational institutions in Texas.
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Classroom Connectivity Initiative TEXAS STATE MATCH TEXAS STATE MATCH 1
Classroom Connectivity: What is E Classroom Connectivity: What is E- -rate and State Matching? rate and State Matching? E-rate is a federal discount program that makes telecommunications and information services more affordable for schools and libraries. To receive federal E Rate discounts, school districts and charter schools have to provide a local funding share. E-rate discounts range from 20% to 90% of the cost of services, depending on poverty levels and location (urban or rural), therefore the local funding share varies. State matching funds reduce the local funding share for Category 1 fiber projects by providing a dollar-for-dollar match. Therefore, if Texas provides $25,000,000, the federal government will provide $25,000,000. Districts with E-rate discount of 80% to 90% can have their Category 1 fiber project fully funded. 2
Classroom Connectivity: How does State Matching work? Classroom Connectivity: How does State Matching work? Example: District is pursuing a $100,000 special construction fiber project and is eligible for 70% discount E-rate funding E-rate will contribute $70,000 and the local share for the district is $30,000 The state matching will contribute 10% of the project or $10,000 E-rate program will match the 10% and contribute $10,000 towards the local share. The district local share is reduced to $10,000. E-rate will pay 80% ($80K), the State will pay 10% ($10K) and the school district only has to pay the remaining 10% ($10K), saving the district an additional $20,000. 3
Texas State Match Fund Application Process Texas State Match Fund Application Process E-rate State Matching Fund Process (E-rate Fiber Special Construction Projects only) Applicant (District or Consortium) State Matching Process Ends Submit the Application for Category1 Fiber (Attachment 1) Send FCDL and Attachment 2 to TEA Complies with TEA Monitoring requirements (yet to be determined) Notify TEA that they requested state matching funds Send State Commitment Letter to USAC Notifies TEA of USAC decision Submit E-rate Form 471 in EPC Pay Provider USAC determines eligibility and sends Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) USAC Review Erate Form 471 and State Commitment Letter USAC Disburse Funds to Applicant within 30 days of Receipt TEA Reserves Funds and Provides to Applicant State Commitment Letter Approved? Yes TEA determine if matching fund money available Yes TEA No Release Reserved Funds and Process Ends TEA returns TEA Award Letter TEA Notifies Applicant and Process Ends No 4
Indicate that you plan to use state match on your Form 471 Indicate in your FRN that there are special construction costs Check Yes when prompted Is there a state or tribal match available for your E-rate special construction funding request? Specify the dollar amount of the state matching funds requested When prompted to upload supporting documentation, link to USAC s state match website: http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/bef oreyoubegin/state-matching- provision.aspx 5
Requesting State Match funds from TEA: Sample CCI.A Request Form Submit to TEA after Form 471 filing period ends and prior to receiving FCDL Information should match what s on your Form 471 TEA sends Commitment Letter to applicant Applicant sends Commitment Letter to USAC by amending their 471, or through PIA (if need be) 6
Requesting state match funds from TEA: Sample CCI.B Form Submit to TEA after receiving FCDL Information should match what s on your FCDL TEA will review and once approved, funds will be disbursed within 30 days to the LEA 7
Classroom Connectivity: Important Upcoming Dates Classroom Connectivity: Important Upcoming Dates E-rate Funding Year 18 is the last year state matching funds will be available Projects for E-rate funding year 2018 must begin immediately E-rate funding year 2018 Projects Must Begin Now E-rate Form 471 must be filed Feb - Mar State Matching Funds become Available Until August 2019 E-rate Form 470 must be filed in January 8
Resources: Resources: Texas Classroom Connectivity team: classroomconnectivity@tea.texas.gov EducationSuperHighway: www.educationsuperhighway.org ESH Online tool -Compare & Connect K-12: http://www.compareandconnectk12.org/ ESH guide - Network Essentials for Superintendents: https://www.educationsuperhighway.org/networkessentials/ ESH guide School WiFi Buyer s Guide: https://www.educationsuperhighway.org/buyersguide/ ESH guide Fiber Toolkit: http://fibertoolkit.educationsuperhighway.org/toolkit/ ESH Resource page https://www.educationsuperhighway.org/resources/ 9
