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Distance Learning and Telemedicine
Description:
The purpose of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine loan/grant program is to provide financial assistance to needy recipients to enhance learning
and health care opportunities for rural residents through the use of telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced technologies by
student, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents.
Loan Purposes:
Funds can be used to acquire (by lease or purchase) eligible equipment, acquire instructional programming, and provide technical assistance and
instructions for using eligible equipment, including related software.
Who is Eligible:
Incorporated organizations, partnerships, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations, or other legal entities which operate or will operate a school, college,
university, learning center, training facility, or other educational institutions.
Loan/Grant Amount:
The maximum loan for FY '07 is $10,000,000. There is no matching fund requirement for a combination loan and grant or loan only. The maximum
grant for FY '07 is $500,000. The applicant must furnish a minimum of 30 percent of the project costs (matching funds). The minimum size of an
application request is $50,000.
Loan Maturity:
Useful life of the facilities (equipment) to be financed, not to exceed 10 years.
Other Criteria:
Applications for grants were due no later than April 30, 2007. Applications for FY
2007 loans or combination loans and
grants were due by July 31, 2007, and will be processed on a
first come, first serve basis.
Funding Allocation for FY '07:
Funds are not allocated to the States.
The 2007 National Allocation was:
$20 million in grants - a combination of $10 million in grants paired with $100 million in loans
and $200 million in loans
Accomplishments
Georgia received funding for 2 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
in FY 2000.
Where Do You Apply:
All applicants must file an original and two copies of the completed application to the following address:
Director, Advanced Services Division
Rural Utility Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
STOP 1550, Room 2845
Washington, DC 20250-1550
Inquiries can be made at the Area Offices. You can also obtain information on applications by
going to this site.
FY '03 Projects
In total, 57 distance education grants for $23.5
million, and 27 telemedicine grants for more than $ 8.9 million were selected
for funding, including two in
Darton
The Southwest Regional Education Services Agency will receive $499,515 to
provide seven school systems with video conferencing equipment and related
equipment to support an interactive distance learning program. The goal is to
maximize resources of all the school systems while educating children in such a
manner that will strengthen their skills. An additional component includes
linking four Pathway schools, which manage the educational needs of children
with disabilities ranging from emotionally disturbed to autistic. Over 30,000
students will benefit from this technology, which will allow for vocational
training for students and re-certification for teachers. It will also allow
students to take advanced courses.
FY 2000 Projects Funded
Two distance learning and telemedicine grants totaling $651,245 were announced that will serve two Georgia communities!
Liberty County received the maximum grant amount of $350,000, to electronically link six counties under the Coastal Distance Learning Network -
with two sites in Liberty County. The primary focus is on enhancing patient and healthcare provider education, as well as providing telemedicine
consultations and "second opinions" via the network. Professionals can more easily stay abreast of state-of-the-art procedures and results of medical
research, as well as maintain their accreditation. Patients will have access to lifestyle and healthcare information, including nutrition and exercise tips.
In addition, seminars and conferences can be conducted over the network - eliminating travel, and saving time and money.
South Georgia Business Development Authority received a $301,345 grant to conduct a fiber optic network to serve the hospitals and schools in
Cairo, Camilla, Moultrie and Thomasville. Schools will have access to interactive distance learning equipment - which will help eliminate disparities
facing rural communities. Students will have a much wider choice of course offerings, including foreign languages, advanced math and science
courses, and specialized areas of study.
The Georgia grants were among the 84 announced by Secretary Glickman on September 21. Funding totaled $11.3 million for 49 distance learning
projects affecting over 300 educational facilities. Over $7 million will fund 35 telemedicine projects, involving nearly 200 medical institutions to
provide state-of-the-art medical care to rural residents.
Please send any comments or suggestions to: craig.scroggs@ga.usda.gov
Last Updated : August 14, 2007