E-Rate
Education
Funding
Improve the outcomes of students and educators.
Frontier® Fiber Internet available in select areas.
Improve the outcomes of students and educators.
Frontier® Fiber Internet available in select areas.
Fiber optic network MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 certified.
Dedicated circuits with speeds up to 100 Gbps1.
Service Level Agreement (SLA) of 99.99% guaranteed circuit availability and 4 hour mean-time-to-repair (MTTR).
Service provider invoicing slashes your out-of-pocket costs.
E-Rate funding maximizes your reimbursement.
For over 20 years, Frontier has been a trusted E-Rate provider. We help schools and libraries secure the funding they need to unlock affordable internet connectivity, security, and information services for students and educators.
The E-Rate funding process can be complicated. Download our toolkit to get started on your path to funding relief. Here’s a preview of what’s included:
We’ll help you maximize your potential access to over $4 billion in E-Rate federal funding.
By clicking “submit”, you consent for Frontier and partners to use automated technology, including pre-recorded messages, cell phones and texts, to contact you at the number or email address provided. This includes if the number is currently on any Do Not Call Lists. This consent is not required to make a purchase.
Initial qualification:
Determine your eligibility for the funding program. Determine the services for the eligible locations. Qualify by contacting the USAC/E-rate Customer Service https://www.usac.org/e-rate. Once qualified the applicant will receive an Entity Number for each location that qualifies. Request access to EPC (Erate Productivity Portal)
Competitive Bidding:
Once the applicant has received an Entity Number(s) and has gained access to EPC (E-Rate Productivity Center), they are ready for the competitive bidding process. This is known as the Form 470 or bidding process and is requested through EPC . This is a formal process to request services that have been identified and prospective service providers can review and submit bid responses accordingly. This process is designed to be fair and open regarding services and pricing. The applicant is required to select the most cost effective provider based on their bidding evaluation factors. The price carries the highest weight in the evaluation. However, price may NOT be the driving factor for the winning bid. Points of interest:
Selecting the Service Provider
After the competitive bidding process closes (on or after the 29-day), a Bid Evaluation with deciding factors should be used to select the winning service provider.
Applying for the Funding
Once the service provider has been selected, applying for the funding is the next step in the process. This is done by completing the Form 471 or Service Provider Selection within EPC . Requirements in this step:
There are several different application options. Choose the one that works best for your organization.
OPTION 1: Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Invoicing (BEAR) (FCC FORM 472)
Follow instructions per the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC).
Applicants may file BEAR Forms online for any funding year without the review or approval of Frontier Communications. The following must take place prior to filing for a Form 472 (BEAR) reimbursement:
• The applicant has certified and USAC has successfully processed the FCC Form 486.
• The applicant has certified and USAC has successfully processed the FCC Form 498; for USAC to process direct payments.
• The applicant must have a Personal Identification Number (PIN)
• USAC will pay applicants directly for any funding year that is filled with the BEAR invoicing process.
OPTION 2: Service Provider Invoicing aka Billing Discounts (SPI) (FCC FORM 474)
• Complete the Frontier Form 474 (Data Gathering Form) and email to funding discount team at fn.erate-ctf@ftr.com.
• Discounts will be applied retroactively, backdated to your July invoice, and will be reflected on your Frontier invoice once the Frontier Form 474 has been received and FCC Form 486 has been certified for each Funding Request Number (FRN).
• Per FCC Order 97-157, the applicant is required to pay the non-discounted portion (amount after E-rate discounts) to your service provider to qualify for the E-rate program, if SPI is chosen.
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES DIVISION (SLD) RESOURCES
Apply online and find your Service Provider Information Number (SPIN)
E-Rate can help your school or library get reimbursed up to 90% on eligible services. Also known as the Schools and Libraries Program, E-Rate is a federally funded program that helps provide affordable WiFi connectivity and internet service. It’s directed by the FCC and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Learn more in our E-Rate 101 blog
Originally established to give schools and libraries affordable access to the internet, E-Rate has evolved to fund IT modernization, WiFi and high-speed connectivity. Chances are, your school or library is eligible for reduced prices through E-Rate. Download our toolkit for more on eligibility.
SCHOOL CRITERIA
LIBRARY CRITERIA
Category 1: Solutions – Data Transmission and Internet Access
Category 2: Solutions—Managed Internal Connectivity
With our E-Rate expertise, we can answer your questions and help you take education to the next level.
[1] Limited service availability.
