E-rate Information and Tools Page fror WiscNet Members

E-rate Process Overview

The E-rate program provides discounts on certain services and products that are essential for classrooms and libraries to receive Internet connections. The amount of discount depends on the level of poverty and location of the entity receiving service. The discount ranges from 20% to 90% of the cost of eligible services.

Applicant files FCC Form 470 to announce that they are seeking E-rate support to purchase eligible goods and services. The applicant will also need to comply with all local and state procurement rules and regulations.
1. When Form 470 is posted to the EPC, a 28-day period begins in which interested service providers may submit proposals and bids to provide service to the applicant.
2. After the 28 day posting period, the applicant reviews the bids and proposals, selects a service provider, and signs a contract or service agreement.
Then the applicant submits FCC Form 471 which tells USAC which service provider was selected, the goods and services for which the applicant will be requesting E-rate support, and the costs of those goods and services.
1. USAC issues a Receipt Acknowledgment Letter* (RAL) to both the applicant and the service provider(s) in EPC after the applicant certifies their in-window FCC Form 471.
2. USAC will review the application to substantiate that the requests are for eligible services that will be delivered to eligible locations and students/patrons.
3. Once the application has been approved, USAC will issue a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL)**.
Applicant files Form 486 to signify that the approved services are being delivered and that the applicant is complying with the Children's Internet Protection Act.
1. USAC issues Form 486 Certification Letter after review and certification of the filed Form 486.
Applicant files Form 472 to request reimbursement from USAC for the discount costs of the eligible products or services that the applicant has received and paid for in full, or the Service Provider files Form 474 to request reimbursement from USAC for the discount amount for eligible services and equipment provided to the applicant.

*RAL "Request Acknowledgment Letter" - The RAL confirms that the applicant's FCC Form 471 was successfully submitted and certified.

**FCDL "Funding Commitment Decisions Letters" - Funding Commitment Decisions Letters ("FCDLs") are provided to all applicants that have submitted a valid Form 471. For most applicants, FCDLs summarize the E-rate funds that have been committed and set aside for discounts that had been requested on eligible services. The FCDL lists a separate decision for each request made in the associated Form 471. In some unfortunate cases, a letter indicates rejections or removal of requested discounts on services deemed ineligible.

Funding Year 2023 - Filling Window

Deadline FCC Form 470:

Deadline FCC Form 471:

Announcements -

E-Rate Forms - Applicants

Form 470 "Description of Services Requested and Certification Form"

Purpose - FCC Form 470 "Description of Services Requested and Certification Form" is the first form that must be filed by a school or library in the E-rate application process. Its primary purpose is to briefly describe the applicant, provide a point of contact, and indicate any new telecommunications and technology services that the applicant will be seeking. Much of the information requested is designed to be useful to, and to be made available to, potential vendors.

The important aspect of submitting a Form 470 is that it be filed well before actual contracts, upon which E-rate discounts will be requested, are signed.

Specific discount requests will be made on a second form, FCC Form 471, which should be filed before the end of the application window period for the next funding year. Timing is important because, before new contracts can be signed, the initial Form 470 must be received by the SLD and posted in the SLD's E-rate Productivity Center ("EPC") for at least 28 days.

The rules for determining the eligibility of existing and new contracts for E-rate purposes are quite precise and must be carefully followed.

Where To File - The FCC Form 470 can be filed for a particular funding year as soon as USAC posts a notice to that effect on this website. This notice is generally posted about 12 months before the start of a funding year.

Note: If an RFP is issued, it must be uploaded as part of the online FCC Form 470 filing process.

Deadline: The FCC Form 470 must be certified in EPC at least 28 days before the close of the FCC Form 471 filing window for the funding year in which services are requested.

How to File - The FCC Form 470 must be filed online in the EPC. Applicants will create a profile and login information in the EPC system before filing the FCC Form 470.

For step-by-step filing guidance, watch the FCC Form 470 video series or use the FCC Form 470 User Guide.

Form 471 "Description of Services Ordered and Certification Form"

Purpose - FCC Form 471 "Description of Services Ordered and Certification Form" is the second form that must be filed by a school or library in the E-rate application process. Its purpose is to individually list all contracts and services for which the applicant is requesting discounts. To have any chance of being approved, Form 471 must be submitted within the USAC's application window period.

Applicants file an FCC Form 471 to request discounts on eligible services and equipment for the upcoming funding year. Applicants must include information on the recipients of services and service provider(s); provide detailed descriptions of services including costs and dates of service or equipment; and certify compliance with program rules.

Discount rates should be based on student eligibility for the National School Lunch Program, not simply on student participation.

Where To File - Applicants can file the FCC Form 471 in the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) during the specific application filing window each year. Each year, in advance of the filing window, USAC announces the exact dates and times of the filing window on USAC’s website.

Note: Applicants cannot certify the FCC Form 471 before the Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date (ACD), which is 28 days after your FCC Form 470 is certified in the EPC.

How to File - Applicants must file the FCC Form 471 online in EPC.

If applicants do not have an account in EPC, call the Client Service Bureau (CSB) at (888) 203-8100.

For step-by-step filing guidance on the FCC Form 471, watch the FCC Form 471 video series.

Form 486 "Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children’s Internet Protection Act Certification Form"

Purpose - Applicants file an FCC Form 486 to:

Notify USAC that services have started for the recipients of service included on one or more funded Funding Request Numbers (FRNs).
Indicate the status of compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for the recipients of service for the FRN(s).

Form 486 can be submitted only after receiving a Funding Commitment Decisions Letter ("FCDL").

Where To File - Applicants cannot file the FCC Form 486 for an FRN until USAC issues a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) with a positive funding commitment.

Deadline: FCC Form 486 must be certified no later than 120 days after the service start date shown on the FCC Form 486 or 120 days after the date of the FCDL, whichever date is later.

Note: Improperly filed Forms can be cancelled and re-filed.

How to File - For step-by-step filing guidance on the FCC Form 486, watch the FCC Form 486 video series.

Other Applicant FCC Form

Form 472 "Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form"- Applicants file an FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form) to request reimbursement from USAC for the discount costs of the eligible products or services that the applicant has received and paid for in full.

Form 479 "Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act" - provides notification to a Billed Entity by an Administrative Authority of the status of the Administrative Authority’s compliance for the purposes of CIPA. The Billed Entity will then certify on its FCC Form 486, Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children’s Internet Protection Act Form that it has collected duly completed and signed FCC Forms 479 from Administrative Authorities that the Billed Entity represents.

Form 498 "Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form" - The FCC Form 498 is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers and applicants that receive support from the federal universal service programs. In addition, all Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program applicants (billed entities) receiving payments via the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) process need to file the FCC Form 498 in the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) to receive payment.

Form 500 "Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation Form"

FCC Form 500, Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation Form, is a form that can be filed by an applicant:

To adjust the funding year Service Start Date reported on a previously filed FCC Form 486
To adjust the contract expiration date listed on the FCC Form 471
To cancel a Funding Request Number (FRN)
To reduce the amount of an FRN
To request a service delivery extension request for Category 2 equipment or special construction fiber projects
To notify USAC of an equipment transfer resulting from the closure of the location where the equipment was originally installed

E-rate Eligible Services List

The ESL (Eligible Services List) is organized into two primary sections plus a miscellaneous section:

Category One "Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access" - The first category of supported services, Category One, includes the services needed to support broadband connectivity to schools and libraries. Eligible Category One services are listed in the entries for data transmission and/or Internet access. This category consists of the services that provide broadband to eligible locations including data links that connect multiple points, services used to connect eligible locations to the Internet, and services that provide basic conduit access to the Internet. With the exception of leased dark fiber and self-provisioned broadband networks, maintenance and technical support appropriate to maintain reliable operation are only eligible for support when provided as a component of these services.
Category Two "Internal Connections (IC), Managed Internal Broadband Services" (MIBS), and "Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections" (BMIC) - The second category of equipment and services eligible for E-Rate support, Category Two, includes the internal connections needed for broadband connectivity within schools and libraries. Support is limited to the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into and provide it throughout, schools and libraries. These are broadband connections used for educational purposes within, between, or among instructional buildings that comprise a school campus (as defined below in the section titled “EligibilityExplanations for Certain Category One and Category Two Services”) or library branch, and basic maintenance of these connections, as well as services that manage and operate owned or leased broadband internal connections (e.g., managed internal broadband services or managed Wi-Fi). Category Two support is subject to per-school or per-library budgets
Miscellaneous - Various miscellaneous services associated with Category One or Category Two are eligible for support. Applicants should request eligible miscellaneous services in the same category as the associated service being obtained or installed.