• Applicants
  • Step 1: Determine Eligibility
  • Step 2: Develop a Technology Plan
  • Step 3: Open a Competitive Bidding Process
  • Step 4: Select a Service Provider
  • Step 5: Calculate the Discount Level
  • Step 6: Determine Your Eligible Services
  • Step 7: Submit Your Application for Program Support
  • Step 8: Undergo Application Review
  • Step 9: Receive Your Funding Decision
  • Step 10: Begin Receipt of Services
  • Step 11: Invoice USAC
• Service Providers
  • Step 1: Obtain a Service Provider Identification Number
  • Step 2: Search Applicant Requests for Service
  • Step 3: Respond to Applicant Requests
  • Step 4: Applicants Select Service Provider
  • Step 5: Assist Applicants with Application Review
  • Step 6: Receive Funding Commitment Decision Letter
  • Step 7: Begin Providing Services
  • Step 8: File Annual Certification
  • Step 9: Invoice USAC

About the Schools and Libraries Program:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Outreach and Training
• Training Presentations
• Service Provider Conference Calls
• Prior Year Wave Information
• Site Visits
• Schools & Libraries News Briefs
• Site Visits
• Filing Appeals
• Understanding Audits

Schools and Libraries Tools:

• Apply Online
• Commitments
• Submit a Question
• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Reference Area
• Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Suspensions and Debarments
• Program Compliance - Whistleblower Hotline
• Submitting A Complaint

USAC Site Visits Featured Highlights

This page contains several examples of Schools and Libraries Program success stories.

 

School - California

The applicant stated that the equipment and services purchased with Universal Service Funds allowed the district to implement a “twenty-first century learning environment.” The applicant stated that the Universal Service Fund provides “tremendous support,” and that the Internet and network-based curricular and testing resources made possible by Universal Service Fund support are integral to the district’s classroom instruction. The applicant noted that the district conducted a pilot study prior to implementing its “fully wired” classrooms, in which fifty percent of students worked in wired classrooms and fifty percent worked in traditional classroom environments. The applicant stated that, as a result of the equipment and services purchased with Universal Service Funds, students in wired classrooms showed a fourteen to sixteen percent improvement on standardized tests. In addition, the applicant noted that in the absence of Universal Service Fund support, technology in the district would be “stagnant” and the district would likely have “one or two computers in the back of each room that wouldn’t be used.” The applicant added that “it’s incredible what teachers are able to do” as a result of the equipment purchased with Universal Service Funds.

Library - Missouri

The applicant stated that Universal Service Fund support has allowed the library to “do more on a quicker timeline.” The applicant stated that Universal Service Fund support enables the library to provide Internet access to its patrons, noting that patrons registered for a total of 500,000 “library bookings” for two-hour “public access computer usage” sessions in a one year period. The applicant noted that the city falls short of the national average for computer ownership by city residents, and that the community relies on the library for Internet access. The applicant added that many social service agencies within the city require that forms be completed online, and that the agencies tell citizens to go to the library in order to access the Internet. In addition, the applicant stated that Universal Service Fund support allows the library to provide educational resources to the city. The applicant indicated that the library offers a web-based General Equivalency Diploma (GED) program using the Internet access purchased with Universal Service Funds.