About the Broadband Reimbursement Program
LEAs that receive E-rate funding for monthly services and one-time costs may also receive state reimbursements for the remaining portion not funded by E-rate. Reimbursements are approved by the Educational Opportunity Resource Committee (see below for reimbursement guidelines; Idaho 33-5604).
For assistance with E-rate, Internet funding, or more, contact either program coordinator:
E-rate Program Coordinator
Daniel Vogt
(208) 332-6993
Broadband Program Coordinator
Jonathan Steele
(208) 332-6892
Schedule a call with the program coordinators.
ORThe Idaho Schools Newsletter provides important announcements about E-rate and the Idaho Broadband Program.
Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant
Idaho invests in dedicated fiber infrastructure for its schools and libraries through “B.I.I.G.,” the Broadband Infrastructure Investment Grant (Idaho 33-910). The grant unlocks additional E-rate dollars to fund special construction projects that create direct fiber connections to schools and libraries. The remaining portion may also receive state reimbursements. Learn more about the B.I.I.G. application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Receive E-rate Reimbursements?
Internet reimbursements come from two sources: 1) E-rate (administered by USAC and the FCC), and 2) the State of Idaho that totals 100% coverage for monthly recurring DIA or WAN services and non-recurring costs, and special construction costs funded by E-rate.
To receive E-rate reimbursements, LEAs must either request reimbursement from USAC (Form 472, “BEAR invoicing”) or instead to agree with their service provider discount on the LEA’s bill (“SPI Invoicing”). All forms are completed at usac.org.
Calculating your E-rate Discount
To receive state reimbursements, LEAs may upload their eligible invoices throughout the year with their unique upload link (issued by broadband@edu.idaho.gov). After review, funds are disbursed directly to Idaho LEAs each December and June (1st and 2nd half of the year beginning July 1).
with their unique upload link (issued by broadband@edu.idaho.gov). After review, funds are disbursed directly to Idaho LEAs each December and June (1st and 2nd half of the year beginning July 1).
State Reimbursement Guidelines
Idaho LEAs can automatically qualify for state reimbursement, apply in good-faith for E-rate funding by certifying an E-rate Form 471, and are within the program’s allowable reimbursement metrics for Direct Internet Access (see table below).
To submit your LEA’s invoices for reimbursement, contact broadband@edu.idaho.gov to receive a unique link to for uploading documents.
State reimbursements are calculated per Funding Request Number (FRN) and are subject to maximum reimbursement guidelines set by EORC. LEAs must provide contract documentation and invoices for eligible services. LEAs must also assist the program collect LEA bandwidth usage data (only speed measurements).
Please note that if a connection exceeds the guidelines, they are not automatically eligible for state reimbursement but can appeal to EORC for approval (please contact a program coordinator to get started).
Recommended Bandwidth for LEA’s by User Count
| User Count (Students + Staff) as reported in ISEE | Recommended Minimum | Recommended Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| 499 Users or below | 100Mbps | Up to 1 Gbps if the monthly cost is: 1) equal to or less than $2,000/mo, AND 2) equal to or less than $2.00 per Mbps |
| At least 500 | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| At least 1,500 | 1 Gbps | 2 Gbps |
| At least 3,000 | 1 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
| At least 6,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps, or 1Mbps/User |
| At least 15,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 20 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
| At least 35,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 40 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
Calendar for Starting an E-rate Funding Request
E-rate provides significant discounts or reimbursements for Internet service, internal connections such as service distribution hardware, service management, cabling, and fiber construction to the premises (last mile).
Each funding request must start with a Form 470, which must be initiated during the second-half of the calendar year in order to funded in the next calendar year.
For more details, please see the Calendar for Creating An E-rate Funding Request and the Annual E-rate Cheat Sheet.
EORC – Educational Opportunity Resource Committee
Idaho 33-5603 establishes the make-up of the Educational Opportunity Resource Committee.
Committee Members
As of December 2023, the Education Opportunity Resource Committee is comprised of the following individuals in each role as listed in Idaho Code §33-5603:
- Chris Campbell
- Committee Chairman and Representative of State Board of Education
- OSBE Chief Technology Officer
- Dean Reich
- Designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- SDE Public School Finance, Senior Financial Specialist
- Norm Stewart
- Superintendent representing small schools (Fewer than 1,000 students)
- Marsing School District #363
- David Carson
- Superintendent representing medium schools (Between 1,000 and 4,999 students)
- Gooding School District #231
- Scott Wolstenhume
- Superintendents representing large schools (5,000 students or greater)
- Bonneville School District #93
- Stephanie Bailey-White
- State Librarian, Idaho Commission for Libraries
- Seth Deniston
- IETA Appointee #1
- Director of Technology at Coeur d’Alene School District #271
- Dan Smith
- IETA Appointee #2
- Director of Technology, Kendrick School District #283
The Annual E-rate Cycle
Before Starting E-rate
Idaho Procurement Law (Statute Title 67 Chapter 28 – Purchasing by Political Subdivisions)
LEAs must first consider the estimated total value of the contract they are seeking.
Idaho Procurement Law Checklist
If the estimated value is between $75,000 and $150,000, then LEAs must solicit bids from vendors in accordance with sections 1a-1e of Idaho 67-2806. Section 67-2806 – Idaho State Legislature
If the estimated value is $150,000 or greater, then LEAs must create a Request For Proposals (RFP) and hold a competitive sealed bid process in accordance with sections 2a-2j of Idaho 67-2806. Section 67-2806 – Idaho State Legislature
To be eligible for B.I.I.G. special construction funds, LEAs must review their RFP with the Broadband Team prior to opening the bidding window.
State Reimbursement Guidelines (EORC)
The Broadband Reimbursement Program methodology confirms what bandwidth speeds are automatically reimbursed if connections are first funded by E-rate. These guidelines were voted on by the Educational Opportunity Resources Committee on June 9th 2022.
Bandwidth guidelines are only applicable to connections for Direct Internet Access (DIA). Circuit transport/wide-area networks (WAN) capacities are not included in this bandwidth guidelines.
Detailed Reimbursement Methodology
Bandwidth guidelines are only applicable to connections for Direct Internet Access (DIA). Circuit transport/wide-area networks (WAN) capacities are not included in this bandwidth guidelines.
What is My E-rate Discount Percentage?
E-rate discount percentages are based on 1) rurality and 2) the LEA’s percentage of students eligible for free meals. LEAs may use data from the type of meal plan they participate in (NSLP, CEP, Provision II) or utilize income surveys.
Calculating your E-rate Discount
See the USAC discount matrix to determine your LEA’s E-rate percentage. Schools should use the most recently available data that can be validated by supporting documentation such as income surveys or state-authenticated data. For assistance confirming your discount percentage, or to request a data verification letter, contact dvogt@sde.idaho.gov.
An LEA’s E-rate discount percentage can change from one Funding Year to the next and will not retroactively change previous discount percentages.
July – December Form 470 Bidding Window
Each funding request must start with competitive bidding process, where service providers are given at least 28-days to respond to your requests for Internet services and hardware.
Requests are posted Form 470, which must be initiated between July 1 and December of each year so they can be funded by E-rate beginning the following July 1.
To ensure LEAs receive high-quality and competitive bids for services and hardware, users can attach a Request For Proposals (RFP) to the Form 470. RFPs are not required for all Form 470s.
For RFP templates, proofreading, and other guidance, contact dvogt@edu.idaho.gov
Further detailed guidance will be added to section in the near-future.
Detailed Reimbursement MethodologyJanuary – March: Form 471 Application Window
Please refer to USAC’s official video guides for information about filing the FCC Form 471.
Videos – Universal Service Administrative Company (usac.org)
April – Beyond: Form 472 Invoicing E-rate
Detailed guidance coming soon. For questions or more information, please contact broadband@edu.idaho.gov or schedule a call at your convenience.
Once Form 471 applications are “Funded,” the next step to complete is Form 486. The Form 486 must be completed in order to receive E-rate reimbursement by confirming the “Service Start Date” of the approved funding request within each Funding Year, and that the applicant is compliant with CIPA.
Deadline for Form 486 is 120 days after… (whichever is later):
a) the date of the FCDL (Funding Commitment Decision Letter)
b) the Service Start Date (SSD) within the Funding Year must be between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024
- For services currently in use, the SSD is July 1
- For one-time purchases, it would be considered the installation/turn-up date
Receiving Reimbursements (E-rate and State)
To receive E-rate reimbursements, LEAs must either request reimbursement from USAC (Form 472, “BEAR invoicing”) or instead to agree with their service provider to apply the E-rate discount on the LEA’s bill (“SPI Invoicing”). All forms are completed at usac.org.
Calculating your E-rate Discount
To receive state reimbursements, LEAs may upload their eligible invoices throughout the year with their unique upload link (issued by broadband@edu.idaho.gov). After review, funds are disbursed directly to Idaho LEAs each December and June (1st and 2nd half of the year beginning July 1).
If your LEA has not yet been contacted by the Broadband Program about eligible state reimbursements, please contact them at broadband@edu.idaho.gov.
Document Retention
All E-Rate program participants – applicants, service providers and consortia – are required to maintain documentation that demonstrates compliance with the statutory or regulatory requirements for all E-Rate program purchases of service and equipment for a period of 10 years after the latter of the last day of the applicable funding year or the service delivery deadline for the funding request. Examples of such documentation include competitive bidding materials, program forms, contracts, and asset and inventory records of equipment purchased as components of supported Category Two services. Read More.