Funds For Learning Expands E-rate Manager for Applicants

New Resource Helps Schools and Libraries Applying for E-rate
Better Prepare for an Audit

Edmond, Okla. (June 30, 2008) – Every year a number of E-rate applicants – more than 500 in the past 10 years – are subjected to random audits by the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for processes and receipts from past fiscal years. To help schools and libraries prepare for this scenario, Funds For Learning, LLC, the nation’s leading E-rate funding compliance services firm, announces the addition of a new resource to E-rate Manager for Applicants designed to facilitate audit preparation by guiding applicants through each step of the process.

USAC audits are conducted to ensure that E-rate beneficiaries and service providers receiving financial support are complying with FCC rules and regulations. Many of the audit sites are randomly selected so as to cover a wide variety of E-rate entities with regard to applicant size, discount percentage and geographic location. This process is key to the prevention and detection of waste, fraud and abuse of E-rate funding; being selected for an audit does not necessarily indicate that a problem exists.

“Any school or district receiving E-rate funds should expect to be audited and needs to be prepared accordingly,” said John Harrington, CEO of Fund For Learning. “Since non-compliance can result in a loss of E-rate funding, E-rate Manager for Applicants supports schools and districts in their efforts to prepare for an audit in advance, to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible without any negative repercussions.”

The new resource will guide applicants through an audit from start to finish, furnishing information on exactly what documentation is required. For example, since Funding Year 2005, applicants have been required to maintain program documentation for five years after the last date of service. However, an analysis of 155 audits conducted on Funding Years 2002-04 revealed that 86 audit beneficiaries were missing documents, according to USAC. Through E-rate Manager for Applicants, schools and districts will receive a list of key documents commonly requested during audits. In addition, the tool will offer an overview of what happens during an audit, and what to expect when the auditors arrive.

Schools and libraries turn to E-rate Manager for Applicants for assistance with their E-rate funding requests and commitments. The online suite of tools enables school districts to stay current with fluctuating deadlines and paperwork, track remaining E-rate funding, monitor sites where funding is used, and respond to E-rate program auditors.

E-rate Manager for Applicants is available as an annual subscription per user fee based on student population. Prices start at $249 per year.

More Information

Visit www.fundsforlearning.com, or phone 405-341-4140.

The Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company administers the E-rate program; details available at www.usac.org.

To mark the 10th anniversary of the E-rate program and Funds For Learning, the company has published “E-rate Review: 10 Years and Counting” (PDF, 944KB), a white paper on the success of the E-rate program and its impact on stakeholders.

Other background material: History of the E-rate Program, The E-rate Application Process, and Latest E-rate News.

About Funds For Learning

Funds For Learning, LLC, is an E-rate compliance firm specializing in guiding E-rate applicants and service providers through the complex and ever-changing E-rate regulatory process. With more than 10 years of experience in providing professional advice and assistance relating to the E-rate program, Funds For Learning exists to provide high-quality solutions for the needs of E-rate stakeholders. The company was established in 1997 and is headquartered in Edmond, Okla.

Contacts

Funds For Learning, LLC
Scott Weston
405-471-0953
sweston at fundsforlearning dot com
www.fundsforlearning.com

C. Blohm & Associates, Inc.
Emily Embury
608-839-9800
emily at cblohm dot com
www.cblohm.com