Monday, July 1, 2024, is the start of 2024 E-rate funding year and time to begin planning for the next funding cycle, FY2025. Before we look at items to keep in mind for FY 2025, let’s reflect on a few things for FY2024 funding cycle:
Filing Forms 486 & FY2024 Invoicing
Complete and certify your Forms 486 now. These forms need to be processed by USAC before BEARs (FCC Form 472) or SPIs (FCC Form 473) for your funding requests for FY2024 can be created. Once your Form 486 has been processed by USAC, applicants and service providers will be able to start invoicing USAC for reimbursements or discounts on FY2024 funding requests.
FY2023 Invoicing
Now is also a great time to finalize any FY 2023 invoicing. The Invoice Deadline is 120 days after latest of: the last day to receive service, the FCC Form 486 Notification Letter date, or the date of a revised Funding Commitment Decision Letter. Typically, those are October 28 for recurring services and January 28 for non-recurring services.
Tips for Success After Filing Your Form 471
A few tips to keep in mind if you are still waiting for your FY2024 funding commitment decision letter (FCDL). Be on alert for communication from the SLD seeking information to process your application. Keep watch in EPC News, Tasks, FCC Forms and the Landing Page. Other post-commitment notifications are issued in EPC, which may include information about appeals, service substitutions, and changes in service providers.
Looking ahead at the FY2025 funding cycle:
USAC Will Release the FY2025 Form 470 Soon – Start planning your 2025 procurements now. USAC will be releasing the FY2025 Form 470 soon, allowing schools and libraries to start their E-rate procurement process for the upcoming year. Applicants are advised to start their competitive bidding process early to give time to appropriately review bids, select a winning vendor, negotiate contracts, possibly get school board approval, if needed, and time to create, submit and certify the Form 471 before the Form 471 deadline occurs.
2024 E-rate Survey Results – Coming this fall! Funds For Learning conducted a nationwide survey, calling on E-rate applicants to contribute their opinions and experiences with the E-rate application process. Signup for the 2024 E-rate Survey results to find out what applicants had to say in this year’s survey.
