For ten years Congress has funded the E-Rate program, channeling up to $2.25 billion annually to K-12 public and private schools and non-profit public libraries to aid with telecommunication and Internet access for the classroom. If approved, a school can be reimbursed between 20% and 90% on eligible services.

However, the application process is complex with many twists and turns, multiple forms to complete, waiting periods to be observed, and cascading deadlines to be met. There is also likely to be increased competition for funds this year. In spite of E-Rate's complexity, though, 77 percent of applicants say it's meeting its goal.

The editors of eSchool News offer a free Educator Resource Center to prompt you, turn-by-turn like a GPS, to E-Rate success. Here is a sample of what's available to "talk" you through the process:

• How to Survive another E-Rate Season provides live training sessions, online videos and other web-based resources to train your personnel.
• How to Prepare for an E-Rate Audit gives clear, concise direction for maintaining proper documentation about your E-Rate eligible activities.
• Sounds painful…is it worth going through the process? Hear from many applicants who insist that E-Rate is crucial for meeting connectivity goals for their schools and libraries.
• Beware of Danger Ahead provides the roadmap to success, including "roadside assistance" for when it is…and is NOT…appropriate for a service provider to be involved.
• Ten Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs presents all the red flags up front to mark a clear path for your team.
• Nobody is Perfect and the eSN-TV video on E-Rate will help you correct clerical mistakes and avoid funding denials.

View the Educator Resource Center….