October 1999 Announcements

Please click on the topic below to view the most recent announcements:

The Schools and Libraries Division welcomes schools and libraries across the nation to take the first step in applying for E-rate discounts for Year 3 (July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001). Schools and Libraries seeking discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections may now file the new FCC Form 470, the Description of Services Requested and Certification Form. The Form 470, which is the first E-rate form that most applicants must file, lists the services schools and libraries are seeking and allows service providers to respond to those requests.

In response to comments and advice from the E-rate community, the SLD has streamlined the application process. Some of the key changes to the program are:

1. Revised Forms - The Forms 470 and 471 are re-designed for Year 3. Applicants applying online may now use virtually any platform and any Internet browser (Form 470 requires browser version 3.0 or above and Form 471 requires version 4.01 or above). The forms are now available in a spreadsheet application as well as in PDF. Forms may also be obtained by calling (888) 203-8100.
   

2. Evergreen Form 470 - For services requiring new contracts, applicants may file the Form 470 at any time as long as it is filed at least 28 days before executing contracts and filing the Form 471. For tariffed and month-to-month services, applicants will be able to file the Form 470 no earlier than July 1 of the year preceding the funding year for which they are applying. For multi-year contracts signed on or before July 10, 1997, but for which no Form 470 has been filed in a previous program year, applicants may file the Form 470 at any time as long as it is filed at least 28 days before filing the Form 471.
   

3. New Window Period for Filing Form 471 - Applicants may file the second E-rate form, the Form 471, Services Ordered and Certification Form, during a window period which will open in early November, 1999 and close January 19, 2000. All Form 471 applications received during this window period will be treated as if they were simultaneously received. Applications received after the closing of the window period will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis. The Form 471 is currently available on the SLD website for applicant review prior to the opening of the window.

More information about how schools and libraries can apply for E-rate discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections is available:

• call the Client Service Bureau toll-free at (888) 203-8100

• obtain documents toll-free via Fax-on-Demand at (800) 959-0733

Every school or library that submitted a Form 471 funding request by April 6, 1999 for discounts in Year 2 (July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000) which passes successfully Program Integrity Assurance review, will receive discounts - even those requests seeking discounts on internal connections at the discount rate of 20%. This means that if a school or library submitted a properly completed Form 470 and Form 471 in Year 2, requests for discounts on all services will be met.

This funding breakthrough was announced on October 25, 1999 at the quarterly meeting of the Schools and Libraries Committee of the Board of the Universal Service Administrative Company, which administers the $2.25 billion available for discounts on services supporting telecommunications and Internet access.

"The concept of universal access to the Internet and the world of information it offers has moved much closer to reality today. Universal Service funds are indeed fulfilling the promise for our children and communities," observed Committee Chair K.G. Ouye, the city librarian in San Mateo, CA.

The SLD continues to send out funding commitments for Year 2, so if an applicant has received a Receipt Acknowledgement Letter but not yet a Funding Commitment Decision Letter, the applicant should look for a response in the next three waves.

E-rate training for Year 3 will be held in Portland, Oregon on November 15-16 1999.   Click here (updated 11/8/1999) to view a sample agenda for the training session. 

When:November 15-16, 1999

Where:
Oregon Public Broadcasting
7140 S.W. Macadam Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97219

More information available soon!

How: To confirm attendance, please click on this weblink and send an email to: meetings@universalservice.org.  In the subject, include the phrase PORTLAND TRAINING.  In the body of the email, please include your full name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone and fax number.

E-rate training for Year 3 will be held in Houston, Texas on November 18-19 1999.   Click here (updated 11/8/1999) to view a sample agenda for the training session. 

When: November 18-19, 1999

Where:
Houston Marriot West Loop
1750 West Loop South
Houston, TX 77027
For reservations, call  713-960-0111

How: To confirm attendance, please click on this weblink and send an email to: meetings@universalservice.org.  In the subject, include the phrase HOUSTON TRAINING.  In the body of the email, please include your full name, title, organization, mailing address, telephone and fax number.

The SLD Web Site now features the updated Form 470 for Year 3!  If you plan on applying for discounts on services for July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001, you may now file the Form 470 either online or on paper.  Form more information about the Schools and Libraries Program, visit out newly designed "Applying for Discounts: Step-by-Step."

Information about the upcoming conference is available at: http://www.doe.state.in.us/sldtrain

Many E-rate applicants with long procurement cycles are using Year 2 Form 470 applications to apply for discounts on services for Year 3 (Funding Year July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001). If you are using this procedure, please be advised that the SLD has established a deadline of October 9, 1999 for completing data entry of the existing forms and certifications. This deadline is necessary in order to make a transition to the newly designed forms for Year 3.

All paper submissions of Year 2 Form 470 applications must be received at SLD Kansas by Saturday, October 9, 1999. This is also true for Form 470 certifications.

If your Year 2 Form 470 is received after October 9, there is a risk that it will not be posted to the SLD Web Site before the transition to Year 3 forms. If your Year 2 Form 470 is not posted and certified by the time we migrate to the Year 3 electronic forms, you will need to file the new Form 470 to launch the 28-day posting process. Year 2 forms which cannot be processed will be returned to you with the updated Year 3 Forms enclosed.

Today, the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Schools & Libraries (USAC) announced that Year Two funding commitments now total $1.018 billion. With the mailing of Wave 13, an additional 700 letters were issued committing over $168 million to school and library applicants informing them of their discounts on telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections.

"We have reached a key milestone for the second year of the E-rate," said SLD President, Kate L. Moore, "and, I am pleased to report that nearly two-thirds of Year Two discounts have gone to those communities with the greatest economic need."

In this week's wave, the largest funding commitment was issued to New York City Public Schools in the amount of $61 million with the second largest commitment going to the Puerto Rico Department of Education for $57 million. More than $651 million has been committed to the needier applicants - those qualifying for an 80% to 90% discount.

Click Here to view Funding Commitment Reports by State Through Wave 13