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

Step 5: Calculate the Discount Level

An applicant that applies for Schools and Libraries Program support for eligible services must calculate the discount percentage that it and the schools or libraries it represents are eligible to receive.

Applicants use the Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471) to calculate the discount and begin by listing the recipients of services for support. FCC rules include a discount matrix that takes into consideration poverty level and the urban or rural location of the participating entity. For detailed information about how to calculate the percentage discount and complete the Block 4 Worksheet of Form 471, read Form 471 Instructions for the Block 4 Worksheet.

Schools

• The primary measure for determining Schools and Libraries support discounts is the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced lunches under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), calculated by individual school.
• A school district applicant calculates its shared discount by calculating a weighted average of the discounts of all individual schools included in the school district.

Libraries

• Library branches or outlets must obtain and use the NSLP data for the public school district in which they are located to calculate the discount.
• A library system applicant calculates its shared discount by calculating an average of the discounts of all library branches or outlets included in the system.

Consortia

• A consortium calculates its shared discount by calculating the average of the discounts of all eligible libraries and schools that are included in its membership.

Urban or Rural

• Every school or library in the United States is located in either a rural or an urban area, based on Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data.
• The applicant must determine if the individual school or library is rural or urban to properly calculate its percentage discount.

Non-instructional Facilities

Non-instructional facilities that serve educational purposes may be eligible to receive discounts on telecommunications and Internet access services (Priority 1 services).