Last fall Senator Rockefeller, who was one of the original authors of the E-rate program, encouraged the FCC adjust its rules to "accommodate the impact of inflation".  He further stated in his letter to the FCC that "...the [$2.25 billion] cap that was put in place in July 1997 has an equivalent value in August 2009 of $1.68 billion..."

In its latest semiannual report to Congress, the FCC Office of Inspector General indicated that it will be shifting some E-rate audits off of its desk. While they will still conduct some traditional USF audits, they will be stepping back from the improper payments (IPIA) audits that they have conducted in the past.

Numerous blog entries have been posted about the audit process, the amount of resources USAC and the FCC have spent conducting audits, and how school districts must absorb the costs associated with responding to an E-rate audit.  The FCC Office of Inspector General recently released a report to Congress that highlights 66 E-rate applicants whose audits were conducted between August 2004 and 2008 but are still not closed.  The possible amount of recovery is over $14 million, however, the FCC has suspended their initial findings until "...completion of E-rate program policy reviews by the Commission and conclusion of a Commissions proceeding seeking comment from program participants on appropriate follow-up measures..."

This week Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 3288 which is a consoidated appropriations bill that encompases many federal agencies including the Federal Communications Commission.  There were a few items with E-rate implications that are important for E-rate stakeholders to be aware of.

On November 3rd, the FCC issued Public Notice NBP #15, Comment Sought on Broadband Needs in Education, Including Changes to E-Rate Program to Improve Broadband Deployment. Funds For Learning has reviewed 37 documents filed with the FCC in response to the Public Notice and provide this analysis of the comments.

A pair of Funds For Learning E-rate experts have put together a list of ten helpful pieces of advice when it comes to applicants' Forms 470. The article was featured in eSchoolNews. You can read the list here.

The E-rate Form 471 application filing window for Funding Year 2010 is open for applicants across the country.  It extends from Dec. 3, 2009 to Feb. 11, 2010.  Funds For Learning has put together a list of seven key tips to help applicants navigate the often turbulent waters of the E-rate funding application process.

Funds For Learning was quoted in a news article about the Filing Window and Eligible Services List published by eSchoolNews. You can check it out here.

A year ago today, the Form 471 Filing Window for Funding Year 2009 opened. That makes one think about when the filing window will open for the next Funding Year. Before the filing window can open, a few events must take place.

The Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act does not define some of the terms that are found within the new requirements. We have put together the following definitions to help you understand some of the terminology used in the Act.