The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) will host E-Rate training sessions in October. 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. 
  • Record keeping and audit preparation. 

• Q&A session 

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