A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Nine Steps You Can Take Now to Prepare for the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Program

While these forms will probably not be available until December, eligible entities can collect the following important information needed to complete the first two forms:

1. Applicant Data: Ascertain
   1. Your National Center for Education Statistics Code: Public schools may find this information online at http://nces.ed.gov/ccdweb/school/school.htm; if unavailable, the Program's fund administrator will assign a comparable universal service control number when you submit your "Description of Services Requested and Certification Form 470."
   2. The total number of buildings and rooms for which you are requesting services.
   3. Whether you qualify for an additional rural discount.

2. Student or Library Patron Data: Ascertain
   1. Your current number of students or library patrons (i.e., population service area or number of cardholders).
   2. The percentage of your students eligible for the National School Lunch Program or for libraries, the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program in the public school district(s) in which you are located.
   3. Your discount percentage. ²

3. Telecommunications Services Data: Ascertain
   1. The number of individual telephone numbers (including fax numbers) and the number of telephone extensions, computers, and video conference links that have or require service.

4. Internal Connections Data: Ascertain
   1. The number of buildings and rooms that are or will be connected.

5. Internet Access Data: Ascertain
   1. Current and/or requested dial-up connections and their dial-up speeds.
   2. The number of current and/or requested direct connections and their speeds.

6. Technology Assessment Data: Ascertain
   1. Whether you have or will purchase desktop communications software.
   2. Whether your electrical system is adequate for your current or requested telecommunications services or whether it will need improvement.
   3. Whether you have or will purchase a sufficient number of computers to maximize the capabilities of your current or requested telecommunications services.
   4. Whether all staff have or will receive education technology training.

7. Consortium Data: Ascertain
   1. The name(s) of billed eligible entity(ies) and zip code(s).
   2. The name(s) of billed ineligible entity(ies) and zip code(s).

8. Technology Plan Data: Ascertain
   1. Whether your technology plan(s) has been approved for other purposes, such as participation in "Goals 2000" and Technology Literacy Challenge and if not, whether the plan(s) has been or will be approved by your State or its authorized designee or by the SLC?s authorized designee. (The plan will need to be approved in order for the applicant to be eligible for the discounts)

9. Contract(s) Data: Ascertain
   1. Whether you are requesting services covered by a master contract(s), e.g., a State contract and if so, its date.
   2. The SLC number³ for each service provider with whom you have a contract.
   3. The contract(s) award, expiration, and start dates.
   4. The estimated nonrecurring cost(s) associated with each contracted eligible service.
   5. The estimated monthly cost(s) associated with each contracted eligible service.
   6. The estimated total annual cost(s) -- combined nonrecurring and monthly -- associated with each contracted eligible service.
   7. The percentage of eligible entities using current or requested services that are shared (if applicable).
   8. Your discount percentage for each eligible contracted service (may vary according to the distribution of services).
   9. Your total prediscount cost for all eligible contracted services.

2. This information will be available from the SLC.

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