Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to our frequently asked questions. Can't find the answer to your question? Contact us.

How does the DIRECTV4Schools program work?

The school principal or authorized school administrator enrolls online at directv4schools.com. Upon review, verification of eligibility, and acceptance of the school information, the school will be enrolled and the principal and authorized delegate will receive a unique School Code and PIN via e-mail. Share the School Code and designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 with teachers, staff, parents, friends and community members. Your school will earn $100 for every new customer and $50 for every existing or returning customer who commits to one year of DIRECTV® service. See the program Terms and Conditions for more details.

What are School Rewards?

School Rewards are cash contributions that are paid out to participating schools based upon the number of customers who have activated a DIRECTV® programming commitment using a designated School Code. Your school will earn $100 for every new customer who commits to a 2-year commitment and $50 for every existing or returning customer who commits to one year of DIRECTV® service. There is no limit to how much your school can earn. The more customers who participate in the DIRECTV4Schools™ program for your school, the more School Rewards your school can earn.

Can a school that is not enrolled in DIRECTV4Schools earn School Rewards?

No. A school must first enroll in the DIRECTV4Schools™ program to earn School Rewards. The DIRECTV4Schools™ program is intended to benefit accredited public or private educational institutions (serving grades K-12 only) located in the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, which are tax exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) and described under IRC section 170(b)(1)(A)(ii). Schools must be housed in a facility zoned as a school building by the local municipality. Universities, community colleges, day care centers, home schools and public libraries do not qualify. See the program Terms and Conditions for full eligibility details.

Can I go online to enroll my school in DIRECTV4Schools?

The school principal or authorized school administrator must complete the initial online registration on behalf of the school. To fill out the web form, visit directv4schools.com under Enroll and select “New Schools” if your school did not participate the previous school year.

When is school enrollment open?

School enrollment for the current program year is open between 9/1/11 through 4/30/12.

How does my school participate in the program?

First, the school principal enrolls the school at directv4schools.com and receives a unique School Code. To start raising money, you can share your School Code through email blasts and social media at directv4schools.com under Share. School principals and authorized delegates have access to additional fundraising tools by logging in with your School Code and PIN, assigned during enrollment. When parents and friends sign up for DIRECTV® service by calling the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 and mention your School Code, your school will earn $100 for every new customer and $50 for every existing or returning customer who commits to a year of DIRECTV® service.

Can my school’s parent-teacher organization (PTA or PTO) enroll in this program?

Yes. Schools may opt to identify an authorized PTO or PTA organization to administer the program and receive School Rewards using the "Waiver for PTO/PTA Participation" contained in the registration packet. IMPORTANT: If selecting the waiver option, you must return the PTO or PTA's W-9 form with the registration packet (not the school's W-9). Failure to do so will result in delayed activation of your School Code.

Can multiple groups on campus participate in DIRECTV4Schools using individual School Codes?

No. Only one School Code will be issued per school. School Rewards checks are made out directly to the school and mailed to the principal two times a year. Schools may opt to identify an authorized PTO or PTA organization to administer the program and receive School Rewards using the "Waiver for PTO/PTA Participation" contained in the registration packet. Upon receipt of funds earned, each school should decide where the money is most needed and apply the funds toward those programs. DIRECTV will not earmark or designate special groups or programs to receive School Rewards.

My school participated in DIRECTV4Schools last year. Is our School Code the same?

Yes. Schools that participated during the previous program year will need to re-enroll in DIRECTV4Schools in order to re-activate their School Code. To do this, visit directv4schools.com and log in using your School Code and PIN. Update your account and contact information if necessary and select “Enroll”. You do not need to supply an IRS W-9 form or Principal Verification form if you are a returning school. Once your re-enrollment has been processed, your School Code from last year will be re-issued and re-activated.

What is the cost for a school to participate in the DIRECTV4Schools™ program?

There is no cost to enroll in and participate in the program.

How is DIRECTV4Schools different from other fundraising programs?

DIRECTV4Schools takes the hassle out of fundraising for schools and parents. There is no quota to meet, no orders to take and no product to deliver. Schools just have to enroll in the program and distribute their School Code to their teachers, staff, parents, students, family, friends and community members. Then, as each customer activates or extends their service with DIRECTV with a designated School Code, their school will earn a $100 or $50 School Reward. Schools receive the funds they’ve earned twice a year – November and May.

If my school is part of other fundraising programs, can it still be part of this one?

Yes. The DIRECTV4Schools™ program is meant to supplement your other fundraising efforts while minimizing the time demands on teachers, parents, students and staff.

When is the offer period open?

The offer for the 2011-2012 school year began on Sept. 1, 2011, and will expire on June 30, 2012. The DIRECTV4Schools™ program will go on “summer vacation” during July 2012 for routine maintenance and upgrades. During the month of July, no new orders will be taken, school enrollment in the program will be temporarily closed, and School Codes will be de-activated.

Why do I have to provide a W-9 form?

The IRS Form W-9 is used to determine an organization’s tax-exempt status. By filling out this form and checking the “exempt” box, no backup withholding (tax) will be withheld from your School Rewards payments, nor will it be reported on for tax purposes. The IRS requires DIRECTV to have a W-9 form on file for each organization who receives payment from our company.

How do I sign up for DIRECTV and help our school earn money?

First, call the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 and give them your School Code. To look up a School Code, visit directv4schools.com under Learn > Find a Participating School. Then, select the Programming Package that is right for your home. If you’re a new customer, your school will earn $100 and if you’re an existing or returning customer, they’ll earn $50.

What happens if I don’t know my school’s code when I call to sign up for DIRECTV service?

You can look up a School Code at directv4schools.com under Learn > Find a Participating School.

DIRECTV4Schools Customer Service agents will also have the ability to look up the School Code, should a potential customer not have Internet access. Keep in mind that the best way to ensure that your school gets School Reward credit is to have each customer use your unique School Code, not the school name, at the time of ordering.

How often can I renew my DIRECTV service using a School Code?

There is a limit of one School Code per DIRECTV customer account during the 2011-2012 program period, and School Codes cannot be changed or added once an order has been placed.

What happens if I signed up for DIRECTV without a School Code, but want to add one to the account at a later date?

School Codes cannot be retroactively added to a DIRECTV order. The School Code must be mentioned at the time of order for the school to receive the appropriate $100 or $50 School Reward. When calling the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number, a new 12-month commitment must be made for that order to be eligible for rewards. This 12-month commitment is in addition to a customer’s pre-existing contract.

When does the 2011-2012 offer expire?

The offer for the 2011-2012 school year expires on June 30, 2012. The DIRECTV4Schools™ program will go on “summer vacation” during July 2012 for routine maintenance and upgrades. During the month of July, new orders will not be eligible for rewards, school enrollment will be temporarily closed, and school codes will be deactivated. Customers signing up for DIRECTV service in July, can help their school earn rewards once the program year starts and the school enrolls in DIRECTV4Schools, by calling the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724, and extending their existing agreement by 12 months.

Is the DIRECTV4Schools program only for the immediate family of each student or can others participate?

Anyone can help participating schools earn School Rewards through DIRECTV4Schools -- parents, teachers, neighbors, friends and acquaintances alike. All they have to do is call the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 and use the School Code to activate or extend their existing service, earning $100 or $50 for their school. DIRECTV employee account types are not eligible for generating School Rewards.

Does it matter in which state my friends or family live, should they want to participate?

Any household across the 50 United States and the District of Columbia that can receive the DIRECTV signal can participate in DIRECTV4Schools program. All they have to do is call the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 and use the School Code to activate or extend their existing service, earning $100 or $50 for their school.

Are current DIRECTV subscribers eligible to participate in the DIRECTV4Schools™ program?

Yes! All current subscribers have to do is call the designated DIRECTV4Schools toll-free number (888) 388-4724 and tell the customer service agent that they wish to add a new 12-month programming commitment to their DIRECTV account through the DIRECTV4Schools™ program, and give the School Code for the school they wish to support. Once the programming commitment is made and the order is processed with the School Code, the designated school can earn a $50 School Reward, provided the customer maintains their programming commitment. Customers are only eligible for one programming commitment per program year through DIRECTV4Schools. DIRECTV employee account types are not eligible for generating School Rewards.

How does a school earn money through the DIRECTV4Schools™ program?

Schools just have to enroll in the program at directv4schools.com. Parents, teachers, friends and neighbors can all sign up for DIRECTV® service using the unique School Code. Your school will earn $100 for every new customer who commits to a 2-year commitment and $50 for every existing or returning customer who commits to one year of DIRECTV® service. Easy-to-customize program materials are available for download on the website, and should be distributed throughout the school community.

How does my school receive its School Rewards check?

In November 2011 and May 2012, DIRECTV4Schools will send a School Rewards check payable directly to the school or authorized PTA/PTO organization as identified on the "Waiver for PTO/PTA Participation form," not an individual, club or other organization. The check will be sent to the address on file for your school account based on the number of activated accounts associated with your School Code for that payment period. DIRECTV® service activations and customer programming commitments made using your School Code are tracked through the DIRECTV4Schools™ program. Payment dates are subject to change as outlined in the program Terms and Conditions.

When will my school receive its School Rewards check?

School Rewards checks are sent twice each year – November and May. The Fall payment period includes customer activations between 5/1/11 and 10/31/11; checks will be sent in November 2011. The Spring payment period includes customer activations between 11/1/11 and 4/30/12; checks will be sent in May 2012. Schools will only receive payment for customer accounts that are ordered and activated during the program period; orders that are not activated and accounts that are cancelled within the program period will not qualify for School Rewards. Payment dates are subject to change as outlined in the program Terms and Conditions.

When does the 2011-2012 offer expire?

The offer for the 2011-2012 school expires on June 30, 2012. The DIRECTV4Schools™ program will go on “summer vacation” during July 2012 for routine maintenance and upgrades. During the month of July, no new orders will be taken, enrollment in the program will be temporarily closed, and School Codes will be de-activated.

Can the School Rewards checks be made payable to the PTA/PTO instead of the school?

Yes. A school may opt to authorize a PTO or PTA organization to administer the DIRECTV4Schools™ program on its behalf, and receive all School Rewards payments. To do so, the principal must fill out and sign the “Waiver for PTO/PTA Participation” contained in the registration packet and indicate the group's name and contact information. IMPORTANT: If selecting the waiver option, you must return the PTO or PTA's W-9 form with the registration packet (not the school's W-9). Failure to do so will result in delayed activation of your School Code.

Will DIRECTV be sending multiple checks for School Rewards to participating schools each month?

No. School Rewards disbursements will be made in the form of one check per school two times a year, in November and May. Payment dates are subject to change as outlined in the program Terms and Conditions.

What happens if we lose our check and need a replacement?

School Rewards may be deposited up to six months after the date they’re issued, so please ensure that your check is indeed lost before requesting a replacement. Schools may request a replacement School Rewards check by contacting School Registration and Support at (800) 628-2476 or directv4schools@matchgift.com. The deadline to request a replacement check is the last day of the month, five calendar months from the scheduled payout date. Replacement checks for the Fall 2011 (November) payout must be requested by April 30, 2012; replacement checks for the Spring 2012 (May) payout must be requested by Oct. 31, 2012. Once you have submitted your check replacement request, you will receive your next check during the next payout period (November 2011 or May 2012).

Where does the money go once it’s received by the schools?

DIRECTV will send School Rewards checks made out to the school directly to the principal of each school or to the PTO or PTA organization that is administering the DIRECTV4Schools™ program on its behalf. Each school will then be able to decide where the money is most needed and apply the funds toward those programs. DIRECTV will not designate or earmark special programs or groups to receive School Rewards.

Is there a limit to the amount of money a school can earn?

No. There is no limit to the amount your school can earn through DIRECTV4Schools. DIRECTV will contribute the appropriate $100 or $50 School Reward for each subscriber that participates in the DIRECTV4Schools™ program, regardless of how many people sign up. Remember, customers must activate and maintain their DIRECTV® service for your school to earn its School Reward.

How can principals and school administrators know how much money their school raises?

DIRECTV® service activations and customer programming commitments made using your School Code are tracked through the DIRECTV4Schools™ program. The principal or school administrator can log in to directv4schools.com with their School Code and PIN to see their fundraising progress, which is updated weekly. The principal or school administrator will need to log in with their School Code and PIN to check their Progress. Please note that this total shows only current orders placed with the School Code; payments are made based on accounts that are actually activated and not cancelled prior to the payment date. See the program Terms and Conditions for full payment details.

What is a PIN? How do I get one?

Your school principal and delegate (if identified) received your school’s PIN in a confirmation e-mail following your school’s enrollment in the DIRECTV4Schools program. This code allows access to a progress chart, fundraising toolkit, newsletter archive, and account information. To be reminded of your School’s PIN, click on “Forgot your School Code or PIN” at the top of the homepage. If additional assistance is needed, contact School Registration and Support at (800) 628-2476 or directv4schools@matchgift.com.

How do I obtain DIRECTV4Schools™ promotional materials?

Easy-to-customize promotional flyers, e-mail and letter templates are available by logging in to directv4schools.com. You can download these materials, add your school name and School Code, and distribute in hard copy or electronically to your students, parents, and other community members. Returning schools should not re-use promotional materials from previous DIRECTV4Schools™ program years.

How do I find out my School’s PIN?

Your school principal and delegate (if identified) received your school’s PIN in a confirmation e-mail following your school’s enrollment in the DIRECTV4Schools program. To be reminded of your School’s PIN, click on “Forgot your School Code or PIN” at the top of the homepage.

Can participating customers change the school that they support?

Once a School Code has been assigned to an order, it cannot be changed. Only one School Code is permitted per DIRECTV customer account per year. When the customer becomes eligible to renew in the new program year, they may elect to support a different participating school at that time.

How do I update my school's account information or mailing address?

What is the DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL® Program?

DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL® is a separate program for K-12 schools, through which they can receive DIRECTV’s SCHOOL CHOICE® programming package at no cost to qualifying schools. This program is open to state-accredited public and private schools, grades K-12. To learn more about DIRECTV GOES TO SCHOOL® visit directvgoestoschool.com.