• 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
• 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

HATS - Process

USAC has chosen BearingPoint, Inc., to visit schools and libraries that have repeatedly faced obstacles to Universal Service Fund support, including Selective Reviews and funding denials.  The Site Reviewers will come to the site visit equipped with the applicant’s funding and Selective Review histories, provided by USAC.

To effectively accomplish the goals of the HATS Initiative, the Site Reviewers will discuss the applicant’s experiences with the Universal Service Fund School and Libraries program to provide USAC with a clearer picture of its situation.  Site Reviewers will examine the particular issues that led to the PIA Selective Review or funding denial, in order to help prevent future problems.  Throughout the discussion, the Site Reviewers will highlight common errors and misconceptions, and share recent program changes and new regulations, new tools available to applicants, application best practices, and ways to avoid application pitfalls.

The Site Reviewers will also discuss the applicant’s questions, concerns and challenges faced when applying for Universal Service Fund support.  The feedback collected through the HATS Initiative will greatly assist USAC to improve the Schools and Libraries program, its processes, and training and outreach programs designed to help applicants receive funding.  Throughout the course of the conversation, Site Reviewers will seek to collect feedback to the following questions:

1. How can USAC help you?
2. How can USAC improve the application process?
3. How can USAC improve its training materials?
4. How can USAC better communicate information to you and other applicants?
5. What suggestions do you have for improving the program?

At the end of the site visit, applicants will have the opportunity to assess the value derived from the site visit through a survey reflecting the issues discussed throughout the visit.