Schools and Libraries Education Rate (E-Rate)

The Universal Service Fund for Schools and Libraries provides funding for a program called "Education Rate," popularly known as E-Rate. Allegiance Telecom is a participant in the E-Rate program. E-Rate provides all public and private schools and libraries access to affordable telecommunications and advanced technologies. The E-Rate means that the rate or level schools and libraries pay for services (telecommunications services, Internet Access and internal connections) is discounted. Discounts are based on the number of students eligible for the National Free Lunch Program. Schools and libraries in low-income urban communities and rural areas qualify for the highest discounts. The E-Rate program provides discounts of 20% to 90% off of Allegiance's retail list prices for telecommunications services and equipment.

SPIN Numbers
Contact Information and Forms

Some Important Information:

Please Note: The E-Rate program is subject to change by the Federal Government.

Application

To apply for discounts, schools and libraries should submit an application to the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) address noted on the application forms. The three-stage application consists of:

1. 1. FCC Form 470 (Description of Services Requested and Certification)
2. 2. FCC Form 471 (Services Ordered and Certification)
3. 3. FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation)

Once all three forms have been completed and approved, the school or library will receive the applicable discount on its covered telecommunications services, Internet access and/or internal connections. The school or library will need to pay bills for the above services in full and will be reimbursed for the discounted amount (see Reimbursement below).

Before receiving discounts, each participating school and library must develop a technology plan and have it approved by an independent agency certified by the SLD. These agencies include state education or library agencies. The technology plan describes how schools and libraries intend to integrate the use of these technologies into their programs or curricula. Schools and libraries applying ONLY for basic local and long distance telephone service are not required to have technology plans.

Reimbursement

Allegiance does not provide monthly discounted billing. The school or library must pay the regular monthly billing in full. In order to receive the discounted reimbursement, a Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form (BEAR or FCC form 472) must be submitted to Allegiance Telecom. The federal Government may process BEAR submissions on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis at the end of the funding year (06/30/YYYY)

Tax Exemption Entitlements:

E-Rate approved accounts qualify for Federal Excise Tax Exemptions. You may also be exempt from state and local taxes. Please check with your state and local government tax offices. If you are exempt from these taxes, you should submit the appropriate tax exemption forms or certificates to Allegiance Telecom along with your service request application.

486 Form - Applicant Receipt of Service Confirmation

This form indicates that service has begun or will start in July of the Program Year. It is very important to file this form promptly when the Funding Commitment Approval is received. Allegiance Telecom is not authorized to provide a refund until this form is filed with the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD).

Service Provider Identification Numbers (SPIN)

Contact Information and Additional Resources

Allegiance Regulatory Contact

David L. Starr
9201 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX. 75231
469-259-2068 (phone)
469-259-9122 (fax)
david.starr@allegiancetelecom.com

BEAR Form Processing

Michelle Richardson
9201 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, TX 75231
214-261-7957 (phone)
469-461-6254 (fax)

Federal Web Sites and Contact Information:

http://www.sl.universalservice.org/
  (provides complete instructions, FAQ and program overview)

http://www.sl.universalservice.org/form/
  (provides all necessary forms for download in multiple file formats)

SLD Client Services Hotline - 1-888-203-8100

USAC Customer Helpline - 1-888-641-8722

Invoice Hotline - 1-973-428-7335

Service Provider Assistance via E-mail - serviceprovider@universalservice.org

Applications, Forms, and Instructions

E-Rate Program Overview
  (PDF: 66kb/15 pages)

Eligible Services for E-Rate
  (PDF: 170kb/39 pages)

FCC Form 470 (Description of Services Requested and Certification)
  Pages 1-5 (PDF: 31kb)
  Page 6 (PDF: 6kb)

Instructions for FCC Form 470
  (PDF: 54kb/16 pages)

FCC Form 471 (Services Ordered and Certification)
  (PDF: 46kb/8 pages)

Instructions for FCC form 471
  (PDF: 92kb/29 pages)

FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation)
  (PDF: 90kb/5 pages)

Instructions for FCC form 486
  (PDF: 70kb/24 pages)

FCC form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form - BEAR)
  (PDF: 124kb/4 pages)

Instructions for FCC form 472
  (PDF: 35kb/10 pages)

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