E-Rate
The E-Rate program, officially known as Universal Service Funding for Schools and Libraries, was created as a result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The program was established in part to get schools and libraries connected to the Internet. E-Rate is the largest and most reliable source of technology funding for K-12 public and private schools in the United States. Since the E-Rate program was created, the percentage of U.S. public school classrooms that are connected to the Internet has grown from 27 percent to more than 90 percent.

E-Rate discounts can range from 20 to 90 percent on certain types of services and products. This means that the applicant will always have some payment burden when receiving approved services. An applicant will calculate its discount rate based off the number of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program. The discount rate also takes into consideration the poverty level of the area and if the applicant is in a rural or urban area.

Priority Levels
Priority One services include telecommunications and Internet access.
Priority Two services focus on internal connections and their maintenance.
(As a general rule, all applicants applying for Priority One services will receive funding.)

Avaya has an ongoing contract with Funds For Learning that can be leveraged by the Avaya channel community. Funds For Learning, LLC is an E-Rate compliance firm specializing in guiding E-Rate applicants and service providers through the complex and ever-changing E-Rate regulatory process. With 10 years of experience in providing professional advice and assistance relating to the E-Rate program, Funds For Learning exists to provide high-quality solutions for the needs of E-Rate stakeholders.

Funds For Learning works with many school districts to help them stay in compliance and to actually utilize E-Rate dollars more effectively.

Avaya understands that Business Partners are often well positioned to participate in the E-Rate program; however, they also realize that there are plenty of challenges and questions that can come up when working with customers/prospects who are leveraging E-Rate. Avaya has provided an E-Rate compliance helpdesk to Avaya authorized Business Partners by working with Funds For Learning to help answer any E-Rate related issues they may face.

The following link provides details on the available resources for Avaya Business Partners through Funds For Learning:

SLE Rebate FY2009 Signature (PDF)
SLE Rebate FY2009 Program Information (PDF)
Funds For Learning E-Rate Resources
Avaya K12 Overview
Avaya Higher Education Overview
Agent Policy Reviewers and Approvers (PDF)
Avaya Agent Policy (PDF)
Agent Policy (DOC)
Avaya Agent Policy Fact Sheet (PDF)
Avaya Public Sector Playbook (PDF)