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NC School Connectivity Initiative

E-rate October News

October 21, 2022

Admin Window Opening October 25:

(Verification and Updates are not optional)

The “Admin Window” for FY 2023 will be opening on Tuesday October 25, 2022. Get ahead of the game and make sure your profile is up to date and ready! This year we’re providing a checklist for your admin window check.

Click Here to download the checklist.
REMINDER: do not edit the student counts, NSLP, or CEP numbers until we send you that State Valid File (SVF)! 

Need more information on updating entity profiles? Attend the USAC EPC Administrative Window webinar. The EPC Administrative Window webinar (under Previous Trainings – October 27) will include additional information on recent changes to EPC entity profiles for FY2023. You can also open a customer service case in EPC or call CSC at (888) 203-8100.  

Need more help?  Contact your E-rate Coordinator. We will be happy to help.

Updated Category 2 Documents for FY23:

We’ve got new, updated documents on our website – be sure to download and use the latest ones! The latest version is from 10/14/2022. (Be sure to check back before you send yours out to ensure you have the latest version. Vendors must change contact emails occasionally). Get those CAT2 projects thought out early! We encourage you to get your mini-bid out to vendors by Thanksgiving.

Recent EPC Updates to FCC Form 498 for Applicants:

  • USAC recently rolled out enhancements to the FCC Form 498 in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) to minimize potential errors when applicants are entering data on the form.
  • A new system validation of the ACH Financial Institution Transit Number (routing number) will allow the authorized user of a billed entity to see if it is valid before submitting the form. If the routing number is not validated, the user will have to check and re-enter a valid routing number.
  • The document upload fields will now appear on the Remittance Information page in EPC, which allows users to upload their documentation at the same time they are submitting the FCC Form 498.
  • EPC will also validate the Employer Identification Number (EIN) information entered by the applicant with the FCC Registration Number (FCCRN) information available in the FCC’s Commission Registration System (CORES) file to ensure the FCC Form 498 is submitted accurately and reducing the chances of rejection during the review process.
  • When an authorized user modifies information on an approved FCC Form 498 other than in the Financial Information section, the system will auto-approve the changes and send the authorized user an email notification. If an authorized user modifies data in the Financial Information section, the status will change to “Certified” and the form will require a manual review by USAC.
  • When the FCC Form 498 is modified by the authorized user and the form is “Rejected” or “Bank Rejected,” the user will receive an email with instructions on how to update the form and the form will update to a status of “Certified.”  The form will also require a manual review by USAC.

Remaining USAC Trainings:

  • October 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Registration Link: Category Two Budgets
    Join Us After: NC DPI Office Hours (3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
    Description: USAC will discuss Category Two (C2) budgets. We (who is we?) will provide an overview of C2 budgets and C2 budget guidance for FY2023.  
  • October 27, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
    Registration Link: EPC Administrative Window
    Join Us After: NC DPI Office Hours (3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
    Description: USAC will discuss the EPC Administrative Window, the period during which applicants can make updates to their profile information in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), to prepare for the upcoming FCC Form 471 application filing window.
  • November 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT 
    Registration Link: E-Rate Post-Commitment Process
    Join Us After: NC DPI Office Hours (3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
    Description: USAC will discuss the E-Rate Post-Commitment Process and other post-commitment activities. Topics include starting services, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), service substitutions, appeals, and more.  

New USAC Provided Documents on our website:

We’ve added a few new resources on our Forms Assistance page.

BEAR Filing Changes Coming:

Do you file BEARs? Be prepared for system changes coming in December. USAC will be integrating the BEAR filing system into EPC. More info coming as soon as we get it!

Funds For Learning Introduces Free E-rate Tool:

Funds for Learning has released a new, free tool to assist applicants with E-rate. Per Funds For Learning, “the free version is available to all E-rate Applicants and suitable for single BEN applicants. This version of E-rate Manager will help applicants access their E-rate information faster and more conveniently.”

E-rate Manager offers easier access to:

  • E-rate Form 470 and Form 471 data
  • Form status and funding request details
  • EPC profile data and site lists
  • Category 2 budgets, and more…

Click here for more information

Click Here to sign up