ECMECC E-Rate Support
Important Information
(Updated 1/5/2024)
Form 471
Status:
CLOSED
The Funding Year 2024 471 filing window opens on January 17th, 2024 and will close March 27th, 2024 (ALL 471 applications must be completed within that window to be considered for funding!)
Form 470
Status:
CLOSED
The FY2024 Form 470 is available now. The FCC Form 470 must be certified in EPC at least 28 days before the close of the filing window for the funding year in which services are requested. The effective deadline for 470’s is February 28th, 2024.
FY24 Window
Status:
CLOSED
If you need to make administrative changes you must either call client services at (888) 203-8100 or start a case within the EPC portal. You may also make adjustments after filing a Form 471 through the RAL process.
Administrative Window Information
These are items you would normally take care of during the open administrative window. If you need to do any of these outside of the Administrative Window, you must call client services or make the changes through the RAL process when filing your Form 471.
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Verify that your FCC Registration Number (FCC RN) is correct. If your application includes child entities (individual schools in a school district or library branches in a library system), you do not need FCC RNs for those child entities.
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Review your address and contact information and make any necessary updates. If you have child entities, review and update their information as well.
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Check that entity names match those in the MDE Compensatory Revenue or Special Populations spreadsheet and/or MDE-ORG
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Use this document for instructions on how to obtain verifiable enrollment and free/reduced lunch numbers for your schools.
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Update your free and reduced price lunch eligibility numbers (NSLP).
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Check to see if you need to update your Category 2 enrollment numbers.
470 and 471 Form Information
Form 470 is used when you are seeking new services (Category 1 or 2) OR when you are seeking a new contract to replace an expiring contract for Category 1 services. If you have a long term contract that does not expire at the end of the funding year, you do not need to file a new form. Form 470 requests for service may be completed at any time. You do NOT need to wait for the Form 471 filing window to open. You always need to wait at least 28 days from the date of filing the 470 before you may select a vendor and sign a contract.
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The E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) is where all E-rate forms are filed. When each district enters their free/reduced lunch information, it becomes available to any consortia that the district is part of. It is important that districts enter this information as quickly as possible to allow all relevant applications to be completed. Most districts have found it beneficial to use their October MARSS Compensatory Revenue Student Count report to update their free and reduced price eligibility numbers. You can usually get that report from your food service director, but it is also available from the MDE website.
Training Information
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USAC webinar page – Upcoming and past (recorded) webinars covering all aspects of the E-rate process
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USAC online learning library – Links to videos explaining most aspects of the E-rate process as well as an FAQ covering many common questions
Links that may be useful