On April 26, 2016, the FCC released an Order denying 125 applicants an invoice extension request. The State E-rate Coordinators Alliance (SECA) filed a Petition for Reconsideration on behalf of the applicants who received the adverse FCC decision. On May 26, Funds For Learning filed a statement in support of SECA’s Petition, requesting that the FCC provide more flexibility for applicants and that new service standards be developed for the processing of E-rate payments.
Funds For Learning specifically argues, “From our 19 years of ‘in-the-weeds’ E-rate experience, we know how very hard schools and libraries have to work to apply for E-rate support and, moreover, how difficult it frequently is, especially for small, economically disadvantaged ones, to actually receive that support. The number and height of the hurdles that the E-rate application and payment process throws up at applicants on their way to the finish line is overwhelming.”
Other organizations that filed appeals in support of SECA’s Petition are as follows:
- CA Educational Technology Professional Association FCC Appeal in support of SECA’s Petition can be viewed here
- E-rate Management Professionals Association FCC Appeal in support of SECA’s Petition can be viewed here
- State of Delaware FCC Appeal in support of SECA’s Petition can be viewed here
- Utah Education and Telehealth Network FCC Appeal in support of SECA’s Petition can be viewed here
- Utah State Library FCC Appeal in support of SECA’s Petition can be viewed here
