Schools that have already been approved for receipt of CTF discounts need only contact their appropriate service providers.

What is the California Teleconnect Fund Program?

The CTF program is administered by the California Public Utilities Commission and funded through a surcharge on telecommunications bills. The purpose of the program is to make telecommunications connection charges more affordable for qualifying participants.

Non-profit private schools that do not possess endowments in excess of $50 million are eligible to participate.

Participating schools receive a 50% discount on recurring monthly charges on all measured business service lines, switched 56 lines, ISDN, DSL, T-1, DS-3, and up to and including OC-192 services or their functional equivalents. The discount is also applied to various additional charges and/or taxes, including the CPUC User Fee, Federal Excise Tax, 911 Tax and Local/City Tax.

Please note that the CTF discount applies to recurring connection fees, but not to usage fees.

The CTF program application process is extremely simple! However, CTF funding applies to recurring connection charges only, whereas E-Rate funding applies to both connection and usage charges. E-Rate discounts (which vary from 20% to 90% based upon the incidence of student poverty in a school) can also be applied to the purchase of eligible telecommunications equipment.

1. Access a CTF Service Discounts Certification Application. (PDF)

2. Write your school's name and mailing address in the first box on the form. Place a check mark next to "K-12 Non-Profit Private School" and enter your school's CDE Code Number in the space provided. Respond "Yes," or "No," to the question that asks whether your school has a total endowment that exceeds $50 million. Print your name in the certification box, sign and date the form, and furnish appropriate phone, fax and e-mail contact information.

3. Mail your completed form, together with an attached copy of your school's IRS tax-exempt designation letter, to:

   CPUC, Telecommunications Division
   Attention: California Teleconnect Fund
   505 Van Ness Avenue, Third Floor
   San Francisco, CA 94102

   Catholic Diocesan Schools: Along with your completed application, please enclose each of the following documents: A copy of the IRS exemption letter bearing the name of Deirdre Dessingue. A copy of the six-page, IRS group information document. The cover page of the most recent "Kennedy Directory" together with a copy of the directory page on which your school is listed.

The California Public Utilities Commission will review your school's application and will provide written notification of the applicant's status. If your school's application has been approved, the notification letter will also include a stamped date designating the school's specific date of eligibility for participation.

After your school has received its notification letter, a school official should contact appropriate service providers and furnish them with copies of the notification letter. All participation is subject to the availability of program funds, which are administered on a first come, first served basis.

Additional information can be found on the CPUC web site.

Note: As of the date upon which this article was posted, the CPUC had not yet updated its website information regarding the CTF program.