E-rate Discounts 2008

Discount Calculation Basics

The State Library of Iowa has calculated discount rates for Iowa public libraries using the 2006-2007 Iowa school data, and the School and Library Division's (SLD) formula. The discount is calculated on the latest information available at the time of Form 471 filing. Discounts are calculated using the percentage of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the urban or rural status of the county in which the school or library is located. Find this number in the Iowa Library Discount Chart below.

Libraries must use the school district, not the school building located close to the library. Locate the school district in which your library resides. If entering information online in the worksheet, the discount should calculate itself after entering the free and reduced from the chart. Verify that it is the same discount listed on the chart. If there is a difference in the discount, contact Marie Harms (1-800-248-4483, 515-281-3464, marie.harms@lib.state.ia.us) at the State Library. Type over the default number presented.

The Department of Education file has calculated the discount by dividing the Number of Students Eligible for NSLP by Total PK-12 BEDS Enrollment to get the percentage. The Library Discount Matrix (see below in Related Sites) is then used to find the discount taking rural or urban counties into account. All libraries are rural unless located in the following counties: Black Hawk, Dallas, Dubuque, Johnson, Linn, Polk, Pottawattamie, Scott, Warren, Woodbury. All libraries located in these counties are considered urban and are designated as gold in the State Library chart. If questioned by PIA about the discount number you are using, it is just easier to go by what they say unless you can document a higher number.