Author: Lorrie Germann

Hello E-Rate Community, You may have already heard that the FCC has released two E-Rate NPRMs — a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for “Ensuring Children’s Safe Use of Screens and E-Rate-Funded Services” and [...]

Good afternoon, E-Rate Community. This is a reminder that beginning in August 2026, USAC will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all E-Rate participants who use the FCC Form 472/BEAR [...]

Hello E-Rate Community, Per USAC’s March 21st News Brief, the FCC adopted a Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration (FCC 26-30) on April 30, 2026, to strengthen E-Rate program integrity by creating a competitive bidding portal, streamlining program rules, and [...]

Good afternoon E-Rate Community, USAC has released the first wave of funding letters for FY2026! Congratulations to the following 896 Ohio schools and libraries (1182 separate FRNs), committing $27,395,485.00. This wave includes commitments for both Category 1 and Category 2 requests. To [...]

Good morning E-Rate Community, You may receive an email from the EPC portal with the subject line "New Task: Create FCC Form 471". This could happen if you have any incomplete Form 471's in the system. To check if that's the [...]

Hello E-Rate Community, It’s just come to our attention that some E-Rate applicants have received emails that appear to be a phishing attempt. The email has a subject line of “Service Provider Document, E-Rate Productivity Center” and is from the [...]

Hello E-Rate Community, Per the April News Brief, USAC reminds us that, beginning in August 2026, they will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all service providers and E-Rate [...]

Hello E-Rate Community, With the FY2026 Form 471, this is the first time we’ve been required to select the preferred Invoicing Method (BEAR or SPI) when creating each funding request. I’m currently receiving questions about how to correct this when the [...]

Good morning, E-Rate Community, The FY2026 Form 471 filing deadline is tomorrow, April 1st, 11:59 PM ET. If for some reason you cannot make the April 1st deadline, please contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss your options. Remember, you [...]

Good Morning E-Rate Community, This is a reminder that the FY 2026 Form 471 Application Filing Window, which officially opened at noon on January 21st, closes on April 1st, 2026, at 11:59 pm! The Form 471 is the application that applicants [...]