United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-12-15 monographic deposited born digital 73 p. GA 1.13:GAO-01-105 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105 P0b002ee180386e65 f:d01105 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105 GAO-01-105 Telecommunication Eligibility determinations Internal controls Performance measures Libraries Public schools Funds management Information technology Aid for education FCC E-Rate Program Universal Service Fund Letter Report

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 expanded the concept of universal telephone service to include telecommunication support services for eligible schools and libraries. Under this program, called the "e-rate program," schools and libraries can apply for discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access, and internal connections. GAO found that the Universal Service Administrative Company's (USAC) Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) committed over $3.7 billion to applicants during the 1998 and 1999 program years. However, a significant amount of these funds has not yet been paid out, even though the deadlines for applicants and vendors to use the funds has been extended more than once. In addition, more funding would be available for eligible requests if SLD's review procedures were more effective at identifying and denying ineligible requests. Despite procedures requiring reviewers to deny funding for ineligible items and to confirm that conditionally eligible services are being used according to program rules, GAO identified millions of dollars in funds incorrectly committed to ineligible products and services. Finally, SLD's practice of approving most vendors' invoices without reviewing how and where the committed funds are actually being spent leaves the program vulnerable to further funding errors and potential abuse. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105.pdf GAO-01-105 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-01-105 Letter Report GAO-01-105; Schools and Libraries Program: Application and Invoice; Telecommunication Eligibility determinations Internal controls Performance measures Libraries Public schools Funds management Information technology Aid for education FCC E-Rate Program Universal Service Fund Title 20 Section 8801 Title 20 Section 9122 20 U.S.C. 8801 20 U.S.C. 9122 Title 47 Section 254 47 U.S.C. 254 H. Rept. 105-504