Check out ByteSpeed’s 2024/2025 E-Rate Guide featuring tips for getting the most out of your funding.
THE LATEST E-RATE NEWS & UPDATES:
- The Form 471 window dates for FY25 are expected to be mid-January to mid-March, but it has not been officially confirmed.
- School Bus Wi-Fi service and equipment are both eligible for e-rate under Category 1. Eligibility includes hardware and service plans.
- Schools with rural designations are able to apply for multiple service contracts in order to ensure complete coverage of rural areas. NOTE: School Bus Wi-Fi and Service are included, but not management.
- It is recommended that applicants and Service Providers include a 10% contingency in all Internal Connections 471 applications as a Miscellaneous – Taxes and Fees. This should be initially requested on the Form 470.
- There is also a move to make Cyber Security E-Rate eligible, but the time line and parameters are undefined.
- Cellular Hotspots will be eligible this year, the rules are just now proposed and we won’t have a final comment period close on that service until after November 4 (deadline for 2nd round comments). There is a three-year budget specific to hotspots that is expected to follow this formula: Number of students x Category One discount rate x 20% x $630 = Three-year budget for hotspot service. There will be a K12 Cybersecurity Pilot OUTSIDE of E-Rate and the rules, timelines, etc. are still being determined. We know it’s $200Mil over three years and is a research pilot to determine if/how funding can be used and distributed in the future. Everyone is encouraged to apply, but very few will be chosen due to the limited availability of funds. It will be a two-phase application process to determine which entities are pilot participants then they will go through an application process with some similarities to the E-Rate application process
ByteSpeed has dedicated significant resources to E-Rate for our education customers, ensuring comprehensive support in a streamlined process and maintaining a successful track record, enabling your organization to maximize E-Rate benefits with confidence. Visit our E-Rate Solutions page to learn more.
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