The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will host E-Rate training sessions this month. Don Dietrich and Lori Thompson from BTU Consultants will conduct five in-person sessions across the state to discuss the E-Rate program's opportunities and requirements.    

Information regarding registration and costs is posted on each service center's website (links below). Each of the following sessions will be held from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.   

• Oct. 14 – Greenbush South, Girard  
• Oct. 15 – Orion, Clearwater  
• Oct. 16 – Smoky Hill, Hays  
• Oct. 17 – Smoky Hill, Salina  
• Oct. 18 – Greenbush North, Lawrence  

The sessions will feature an interactive dialogue complemented by step-by-step examples. Handouts will be distributed during the classes and will also be available online before the sessions begin. The following topics will be covered:   

• Overview of the E-Rate program.  
• What’s new this year.  
  • Hotspots and off-site Wi-Fi are now eligible.  
  • Cybersecurity pilot program update.  
• Benefits and requirements for participation.  
• E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) portal login and maintenance.  
• Finding your E-Rate history.  
• Preparing for the application year.  
• Category 1 vs. Category 2 budgets.  
• Applying for E-Rate.  
  • Form 470, competitive bidding, choosing a winner.  
  • Form 471 details and contracts.  
  • Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review. 

• E-Rate approval and acceptance.  
  • Form 486 to accept funding.  
  • Form 500 to make changes.  
  • Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursements (BEAR) vs. Discounts – getting reimbursed.  
  • Recordkeeping and audit preparation. 

• Q&A session.  

Further information regarding E-Rate is available at https://e-rateks.ksde.org.