File BEARs Now to Claim FY 2017 E-rate Reimbursements

September 8, 2018

Attached: FY 2017 Funds Remaining as of Sept 5

Attached: Form 472 BEAR Filing Guide FY 2017

Attached: Form 498 Filing Guide

~ Do NOT File in EPC – Use Old BEAR System ~
~ List of Affected Entities is Below and Attached ~
~ BEAR Filing Guide Attached ~
~ FAQs Listed Below ~

We are in one of those hectic times of the E-rate calendar when actions are required on three different funding years – all at the same time.  The last date to receive recurring services for Funding Year 2017 was June 30, 2018; therefore, schools and libraries only have until October 28, 2018to submit BEAR Forms (Form 472) to USAC to seek reimbursement if they paid their vendors in full.  If your vendor provided discounted bills from July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018, or if you already received all of your BEAR reimbursements you can disregard this message.  If your vendor charged you full price, you have a few short weeks to submit the form to collect your E-rate funding.  BEARs must be submitted at https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx (see #4 below if you need a BEAR PIN).

ALSO… many applicants have already purchased their approved FY 2018 internal connections equipment and paid for the equipment in full.  Those applicants may now submit BEARs for those purchases as well.  Slide 11 of the attached BEAR Filing Guide shows how to complete the form for these one-time purchases.

There are several steps you must take before the Form 472 BEAR can be submitted. Please review each step and you will be successful in obtaining your reimbursements.

  1. ARE YOU ON THE LIST?  Look at the list at the bottom of this message. If your school or library is listed, open the attached spreadsheet for details about which funding requests are affected.  Note:  The data includes all FRNs where 50% or more of the E-rate funds have not been disbursed.  I included FRNs where a BEAR had some, but not all, funds disbursed because a few applicants submit mid-year BEARs and may need a reminder that it’s time to submit the final BEAR.
  2. DID YOUR VENDOR SUBMIT THEIR 2016 FORM 473 SPAC?  If Column H (Vendor 473 SPAC Filed?) shows ‘No’, you must contact your vendor prior to submitting the BEAR and tell the vendor they must submit the Form 473 SPAC to USAC ASAP.  This is an annual form that every vendor must submit and without it, no BEARs that list that SPIN will be paid.  Direct the vendor to: http://e-ratepa.org/?p=20121 for more information.
  3. DID YOU SUBMIT THE FORM 486 FOR THE FRN?  If Column I (Form 486 Filed?) shows ‘Not Filed’, but you know your 486 was submitted, please let me know ASAP.  Some 486s are stuck in the EPC approval process and we must ask USAC to get them “unstuck” before a BEAR can be filed.
  4. DO YOU HAVE A BEAR PIN?  BEARs (Form 472s) are NOT filed in EPC; they are filed in the legacy system at: https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx.  To get into the old system, you must use your E-rate PIN — not your EPC credentials.  If you don’t have an E-rate PIN (or had one but can’t find it), complete the short PIN Request template at: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/xls/PIN-request-template.xlsx and then upload it into EPC by creating a Customer Service Case.  USAC will then e-mail you a new PIN in about a week.
  5. DO YOU HAVE AN APPROVED 498 ON FILE WITH USAC?  The 498 provides USAC with the banking information so that your BEAR reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account.  You do not need to complete the Form 498 annually, and most applicants have an approved 498 already on file with USAC.  If you completed a BEAR in the last 2 years, the online BEAR system already has your banking data on file.
  • To determine if you have an approved Form 498, log into EPC > Records > Form 498s > Click on 498 if one is showing to see the Status.  If no 498 is showing, then there isn’t one on file with USAC.
  • If you need to update your 498 Banking Data, log into EPC > Records > Form 498s > Click on the 498 > Related Actions > Modify Form 498.  Don’t forget to then e-mail a copy of a voided check to: 498bankverification@usac.org
  • If you log into the Online BEAR System, and a Form 498 ID doesn’t appear in the form, it means you don’t have an approved 498 on file with USAC.
  • The Form 498 must be filed in EPC by a “school or library official” (not a consultant).  If you’re unsure how to find or complete the 498, refer to this guide:  http://e-ratepa.org/?p=13701.
  • After you submit the 498, you must then upload or e-mail a copy of a voided/cancelled check (see attached Form 498 Guide) so USAC can be assured that the information you entered on the 498 is accurate.  USAC will issue an approval of your 498 via e-mail to the General Financial Contact.  After receiving that approval, you can THEN submit the BEAR.

The deadline for filing a BEAR for FY 2017 recurring services is October 28, 2018, thus it’s important that to walk through these steps if your name is on the list below.  Each year, many applicants are committed funding, but then never go back to seek reimbursement. Don’t let them keep your well-deserved money.

If you have any questions about the FY 2017 Invoice Deadlines or completing the BEAR, please contact me at jtschell@comcast.net.

– Julie

PA Schools and Libraries With > 50% FY 2017 Funds Remaining:

ABINGTON HEIGHTS SCHOOL DIST
ACHIEVEMENT HOUSE CHARTER SCHOOL
AD PRIMA CHARTER SCHOOL
ADELPHOI EDUCATION SCHOOL DISTRICT
AGORA CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
AL AQSA ISLAMIC SCHOOL
ALBERT GALLATIN AREA SCH DIST
ALIQUIPPA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ALL STS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
ALLEGHENY EAST CONFERENCE CORPORATION OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST [AEC OFFICE OF EDUCATION]
ALLEGHENY VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
ALLEGHENY-CLARION VALLEY SCH DIST
ALLENTOWN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
ALLENTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT
ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESS CHARTER SCHOOL
ALTOONA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
AMBRIDGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ANTIETAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
APOLLO RIDGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
APPALACHIA INT UNIT 8
AQUINAS ACADEMY
AQUINAS ACADEMY OF PITTSBURGH
ARCHDIOCESE PHILADELPHIA SCHS
ARMSTRONG SCHOOL DISTRICT
ASHLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY
Aspira, Inc of Pennsylvania
ATHENS AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
AVON GROVE CHARTER SCHOOL
B F JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BADEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
BALD EAGLE AREA SCHOOL DIST
BALDWIN SCHOOL
BEAVER CO FEDERATED LIB SYSTEM
BEAVER COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
BEAVERDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
BEDFORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BEDFORD COUNTY TECHNICAL CENTER
BELLEFONTE AREA SCHOOL DIST
BELLWOOD ANTIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
BELLWOOD-ANTIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
BELMONT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
BENCHMARK SCHOOL
BENSALEM TWP SCHOOL DISTRICT
BENTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BENTWORTH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BERKS CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Berks County Intermediate Unit
BERKS COUNTY INTERMEDIATE UNIT #14
BETHESDA CHILDRENS HOME
BETHLEHEM AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY
BETHLEHEM CENTER SCHOOL DIST
BIG BEAVER FALLS AREA SCH DIST
BIG SPRING SCHOOL DISTRICT
BIRNEY PREPARATORY ACADEMY
BISHOP CANEVIN HIGH SCHOOL
BISHOP CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL
BISHOP GUILFOYLE HIGH SCHOOL
BLACKHAWK SCHOOL DISTRICT
BLAIR CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
BLAIRSVILLE-SALTSBURG SCH DIST
BLESSED JOHN PAUL II
BLOOMSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
BLUE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOYS’ LATIN OF PHILADELPHIA CHARTER SCHOOL
BRADFORD AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY
BRADFORD COUNTY LIBRARY
BRANDYWINE HTS AREA SCH DIST
BRENTWOOD BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BRISTOL BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
BRISTOL TWP SCHOOL DISTRICT
BROWNSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DIST
BROWNSVILLE FREE PUB LIBRARY
BURGETTSTOWN AREA SCH DISTRICT
BURRELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
BUTLER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BUTLER COUNTY FEDERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM
CALIFORNIA AREA SCHOOL DIST
CAMBRIA COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL DIST
CAMERON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CANON-MCMILLAN SCHOOL DISTRICT
CANTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
CARBON CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
CARBON LEHIGH INTERMEDIATE UNIT 21
CARBONDALE AREA SCHOOL DIST
CARDINAL WUERL NORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
CAREER INSTITUTE OF TECH
CARLISLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
CARLYNTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
CARMICHAELS AREA SCHOOL DIST
CARNEGIE FREE LIBRARY
CARNEGIE LIBRARY OF PITTSBURGH
CARSON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CATASAUQUA AREA SCHOOL DIST
CENTER FOR STUDENT LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOL AT PENNSBURY
CENTRAL FULTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
CENTRAL PA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
CENTRAL SUSQUEHANNA INTERMEDIATE UNIT
CENTRAL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CENTRAL WESTMORELAND TECH CTR
CENTRE COUNTY FEDERATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
CHAMBERSBURG AREA SCHOOL DIST
CHAMBERSBURG DIST PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Champion Christian School District
CHARLEROI AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHEDAR MENACHEM HIGH SCHOOL
CHESTER CHARTER SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS
Chester Community Charter School – East Campus BDLG B
CHESTER-UPLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHICHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
CHRIST THE DIVINE TEACHER SCHOOL
CITIZENS LIBRARY
CLEARFIELD AREA SCHOOL DIST
CLEARFIELD CO CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
CLEARFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
COATESVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
COLLEGIUM CHARTER SCHOOL
Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 Consortium
COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL DIST
COLUMBIA-MONTOUR AVTS DISTRICT
Communities In Schools of Philadelphia
COMMUNITY ACADEMY OF PHILADELPHIA
CONEMAUGH VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
CONESTOGA VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
CONN AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
CONNELLSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DIST
CONRAD WEISER AREA SCHOOL DIST
CORNELL SCHOOL DISTRICT
COUDERSPORT AREA SCHOOL DIST
CRANBERRY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
CRAWFORD CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST
CREFELD SCHOOL
Cumberland County Library System – Consortium
CURWENSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DIST
DAUPHIN COUNTY AVTS DISTRICT
DELAWARE COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Delaware Valley Friends School
DELAWARE VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
DEVEREUX FOUNDATION
Diocese of Harrisburg
DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL
Divine Mercy Catholic Academy
DIVINE REDEEMER SCHOOL
DONEGAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
DR. ROBERT KETTERER CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
DU BOIS AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
DU BOIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
EAST LYCOMING SCHOOL DISTRICT
EAST PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
EAST PENNSBORO AREA SCH DIST
East Stroudsburg Area School District
EASTERN LEBANON CO SCH DIST
EASTON AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
EIHAB HUMAN SERVICES SCHOOL
EINETWORK
ERIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ERIE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
ESPERANZA ACADEMY
ESPERANZA CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL
EVA K BOWLBY PUBLIC LIBRARY
EXECUTIVE EDUCATION ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
EXETER TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DIST
FAIRFIELD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
FANNETT-METAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
FARRELL AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
FAYETTE COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
FIRST PHILADELPHIA PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL – SOUTH CAMPUS
FLENNIKEN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
FORBES ROAD SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOREST AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
FOREST HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
FORT CHERRY SCHOOL DISTRICT
FORT LE BOEUF SCHOOL DISTRICT
FRACKVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
FRANK SARRIS PUBLIC LIBRARY
FRANKLIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
FRANKLIN TOWNE CHARTER ELEMENTARY
FRANKLIN TOWNE CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
FRAZIER SCHOOL DISTRICT
FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA
FREEPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
FREIRE CHARTER SCHOOL CONSORTIA
FRIENDSHIP ACADEMY
GEIBEL CATHOLIC JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
GERMAN MASONTOWN PUBLIC LIB
GESU CATHOLIC SCHOOL
GETTYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DIST
GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL
GIRARD SCHOOL DISTRICT
GLEN MILLS SCHOOLS
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP ACADEMY SOUTHWEST
GOOD SHEPARD SCHOOL
GOSHEN FRIENDS SCHOOL
GOVERNOR MIFFLIN SCHOOL DIST
GREATER LATROBE SCHOOL DIST
GREATER NANTICOKE AR SCH DIST
GREEN FREE LIBRARY
GREEN TREE SCHOOL
GREEN WOODS CHARTER SCHOOL
GREENCASTLE ANTRIM SCHOOL DIST
GREENSBURG-SALEM SCHOOL DIST
GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
HANOVER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
HANOVER PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT
HARAMBEE CHARTER SCHOOL
HARBORCREEK YOUTH SERVICES SCH
HARMONY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
HARRISBURG ACADEMY
HARRISBURG CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCH CATHEDRAL CAMPUS
HAVERFORD SCHOOL
HAZLETON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
HELEN THACKSTON CHARTER SCHOOL
HERMITAGE HOUSE YOUTH SERVICES, INC
HERMITAGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
HILL HOUSE PASSPORT ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BERKS COUNTY LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA PUBLIC LIB
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCH DIST
HOLY FAMILY ACADEMY
HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL
HOLY GUARDIAN ANGELS SCHOOL
HOLY INFANCY SCHOOL
Holy Trinity Catholic School
HOMER CENTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
HOPE FOR HYNDMAN CHARTER SCHOOL
HOPE PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION
HUNTINGDON AREA SCHOOL DIST
IMHOTEP CHARTER SCHOOL
Independence Charter School West
Independence Mission Schools
INDIANA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
INQUIRY CHARTER SCHOOL
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 01
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 05
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 06
Intermediate Unit 1 RWAN  ConnectEd
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 10
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 13
Intermediate Unit 15
Intermediate Unit 17
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 19
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 20
Intermediate Unit 27 RWAN Consortium
INTERMEDIATE UNIT 29
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
IROQUOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT
IU 13 Consortia
JAMESTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
JEANNETTE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
JEFFERSON-MORGAN SCHOOL DIST
JERSEY SHORE AREA SCH DISTRICT
JOHN R KAUFFMAN JR PUBLIC LIB
JOHNSONBURG AREA SCHOOL DIST
JUNIATA COUNTY LIBRARY
JUNIATA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
JUNIATA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
KANE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
KEYSTONE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
KEYSTONE CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST
KEYSTONE EDUCATION CENTER CHARTER SCHOOL
KEYSTONE OAKS SCHOOL DISTRICT
KIPP DUBOIS COLLEGIATE ACADEMY
KIPP PHILADELPHIA CHARTER SCHOOL
KIPP WEST PHILADELPHIA ELEMENTARY ACADEMY
KIPP WEST PHILADELPHIA PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
KISKI AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
KUTZTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
LABORATORY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND LANGUAGES
LAKELAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
Lakeside Youth Service DBA Lakeside Educational Network
LANCASTER COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL
LANCASTER COUNTY CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
LANCASTER MENNONITE SCHOOL DISTRICT
LAUGHLIN MEMORIAL FREE LIBRARY
LAUREL HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DIST
LAWRENCE CO AREA VOC-TECH SCH
LEBANON SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEECHBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
LEHIGH CAREER & TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
LEHIGH VALLEY DUAL LANGUAGE CHARTER SCHOOL
LIGONIER VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
LINCOLN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
LINCOLN-EDISON CHARTER SCHOOL
LINE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
LIU 12 – Entity
LOCK HAVEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL
LOWER DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT
LOWER MERION SCHOOL DISTRICT
LSLC WAN consortium
MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MAHANOY CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY
MANCHESTER ACADEMIC CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
MANHEIM CENTRAL SCHOOL DIST
MANHEIM TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DIST
MANSFIELD FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
MARIANA BRACETTI ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
MARION CENTER AREA SCHOOL DIST
MARITIME ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
MARTIN LUTHER SCHOOL
MARY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
MATHEMATICS, CIVICS & SCIENCES CHARTER SCHOOL
MEMPHIS STREET ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
MERCER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MERCER COUNTY CAREER CENTER
MERCY SPECIAL LEARNING CENTER
MERCYHURST PREPARATORY SCHOOL
MERION MERCY ACADEMY
METHACTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
MID VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MIDDLETOWN AREA SCHOOL DIST
MIDD-WEST SCHOOL DISTRICT
MIDLAND BOROUGH SCHOOL DIST
MIDWESTERN INTERMEDIATE UNIT 4
MIFFLIN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MIFFLIN COUNTY SD AND ACADEMY CONSORTIUM
MIFFLINBURG AREA SCHOOL DIST
MILLCREEK TWP SCHOOL DISTRICT
MILLVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MILTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MINERSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
MIQUON SCHOOL
MOHAWK AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MONESSEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
MONITEAU SCHOOL DISTRICT
MONTGOMERY HOUSE LIBRARY
MONTOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
MONTROSE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
MORAVIAN ACADEMY
MORRISVILLE BORO SCHOOL DIST
MOSHANNON VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
MOTHER OF SORROWS SCHOOL
MT CARMEL AREA SCH DISTRICT
MT LEBANON SCHOOL DISTRICT
MULTICULTURAL ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL
NAZARETH AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEW BRIGHTON AREA SCHOOL DIST
NEW BRIGHTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
NEW CASTLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEW CASTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
NEW DAY CHARTER SCHOOL FORMERLY TBLCS
NORTH CLARION CO SCHOOL DIST
NORTH HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTH MONTCO TECHNICAL CAREER CENTER
NORTH PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DIST
NORTHAMPTON AREA PUB LIBRARY
NORTHEAST BRADFORD SCHOOL DIST
NORTHERN CAMBRIA PUBLIC LIBRARY
NORTHERN CAMBRIA SCHOOL DIST
NORTHERN POTTER SCHOOL DIST
NORTHERN TIER CAREER CENTER
NORTHGATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTHUMBERLAND CO CTC
NORTHWESTERN SCHOOL DISTRICT
NORTHWOOD ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
OCTORARA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
OLD FORGE SCHOOL DISTRICT
OLEY VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
ONE BRIGHT RAY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
OSTERHOUT FREE LIBRARY
OTTO-ELDRED SCHOOL DISTRICT
OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
OUR LADY OF FATIMA SCHOOL
OXFORD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PA LEADERSHIP CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
PALISADES SCHOOL DISTRICT
PALMYRA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PAN AMERICAN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
PANTHER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PARKLAND COMMUNITY LIBRARY
PARKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
PENN CAMBRIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PENN HILLS CHARTER SCHOOL OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
PENN HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
PENN VIEW BIBLE INSTITUTE
PENNS MANOR AREA SCHOOL DIST
PENNSYLVANIA CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL
PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR DEAF
PEQUEA VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
PERELMAN JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
PERKIOMEN VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
PERSEUS HOUSE CHARTER SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE- HAMILTON CENTER
PERSEUS HOUSE INCORPORATED
PHILADELPHIA ELECTRICAL AND TECHNOLOGY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL
PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PHILIPSBURG-OSCEOLA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PITTSBURGH CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
POCONO MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DIST
PORT CARBON PUBLIC LIBRARY
PORTAGE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
POTTSGROVE SCHOOL DISTRICT
POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DIST
PREMIER ARTS AND SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL
PREPARATORY CHARTER SCHOOL
Pressley Ridge
PROPEL SCHOOLS
PUNXSUTAWNEY MEMORIAL LIBRARY
PURCHASE LINE SCHOOL DISTRICT
QUAKERTOWN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
QUEEN OF ANGELS CATH.SCHOOL
RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DIST
READING PUBLIC LIBRARY
READING-MUHLENBERG CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
RED LION AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
REDBANK VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REYNOLDS SCHOOL DISTRICT
RICHARD ALLEN PREPARTORY CHARTER SCHOOL
RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT
RIDGWAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
RINGGOLD SCHOOL DISTRICT
RIVERSIDE BEAVER CO SCH DIST
ROARING SPRING COMM LIBRARY
ROCHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
ROCKWOOD AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SACRED HEART SCHOOL
SAINT GABRIEL’S HALL
SAINTS TABERNACLE DAY SCHOOL
SARAH A. REED CHILDREN’S CENTER
SAXTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY
SAYRE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCH ACADEMY
SCH OF THE HOLY CHILD-ROSEMONT
SCHOOL LANE CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT
SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AVTS PROGRAM
SELINSGROVE AREA SCHOOL DIST
SETON-LASALLE HIGH SCHOOL
SHAMOKIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHAMOKIN-COAL TWP PUB LIBRARY
SHANKSVILLE-STONYCREEK SCHOOLS
SHARON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHENANDOAH VALLEY SCH DISTRICT
SHIKELLAMY SCHOOL DISTRICT
SHIPPENSBURG AREA SCH DISTRICT
SLIPPERY ROCK AREA SCHOOL DIST
SNYDER COUNTY LIBRARY
SOLANCO SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOMERSET AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOMERSET COUNTY FEDERATED LIBRARY SYSTEM
SOMERSET COUNTY LIBRARY
SOMERSET COUNTY TECHNOLOGY CENTER
SOUTH BUTLER COUNTY SCH DIST
SOUTH PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOUTHEAST DELCO SCHOOL DIST
SOUTHERN FULTON SCHOOL DIST
SOUTHERN HUNTINGDON SCH DIST
SOUTHERN TIOGA SCHOOL DISTRICT
SOUTHWEST LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
SPALDING MEMORIAL LIBRARY
SPRING COVE SCHOOL DISTRICT
ST AGNES SCHOOL
ST ALBERT THE GREAT SCHOOL
ST ALOYSIUS ACADEMY
ST ANN SCHOOL
ST BERNARD SCHOOL
ST CATHARINE OF SIENA SCHOOL
ST CLAIR AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
ST FRANCIS DE SALES SCHOOL
ST FRANCIS GRADE SCHOOL
ST HILARY OF POITIERS SCHOOL
ST JOHN EVANGELIST SCHOOL
ST JOHN NEUMANN
ST JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL
ST JOSEPH THE WORKER SCHOOL
ST JOSEPH’S PREP SCHOOL
ST LAURENCE SCHOOL
ST LOUISE DE MARILLAC SCHOOL
ST MARY’S INTERPAROCHIAL SCH
ST MARYS PUBLIC LIBRARY
ST PATRICK SCHOOL
ST PETER SCHOOL
ST PHILIP SCHOOL
ST SEBASTIAN SCHOOL
ST THERESA SCHOOL
St. Athanasius School
STATE COLLEGE AREA SCHOOL DIST
STEEL VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
STEELTON-HIGHSPIRE SCHOOL DIST
STO-ROX SCHOOL DISTRICT
STRATFORD FRIENDS SCHOOL
SUGAR GROVE FREE LIBRARY
SUGAR VALLEY RURAL CHARTER SCHOOL
SULLIVAN COUNTY LIBRARY
SULLIVAN COUNTY SCHOOL DIST
SUMMIT ACADEMY
SUN AREA TECHNICAL INSTITUTE
SUSQUEHANNA TWP SCHOOL DIST
SWAIN SCHOOL
TACONY CHARTER SCHOOL
TAMAQUA AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
TAMAQUA PUBLIC LIBRARY
TECH FREIRE CHARTER SCHOOL
THE BRADLEY CENTER
THE CARDINAL MAIDA ACADEMY
THE KHEPERA  CHARTER SCHOOL
THE LEARNING LAMP
THE PEOPLE FOR PEOPLE CHARTER SCHOOL, INC
THE WESTWOOD SCHOOL
theVillage
TIDIOUTE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
TOWANDA AREA SCH DISTRICT
TRI VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
TRINITY ACADEMY
TRINITY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
TRI-STATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
TROY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
TUSSEY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DIST
TWIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
TYRONE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
TYRONE-SNYDER PUBLIC LIBRARY
UNION CITY AREA SCHOOL DIST
UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
UNIONVILLE-CHADDS FORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
UNIVERSAL EDUCATION COMPANIES, INC
UPPER MERION AREA SCHOOL DIST
URBAN PATHWAYS CHARTER SCHOOL
URBAN PATHWAYS K-5 CHARTER SCHOOL
VALLEY FORGE MILITARY ACADEMY
VILLA MARIA ACADEMY LOWER SCH
VINCENTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
VISITATION SCHOOL
WALLENPAUPACK AREA SCHOOL DIST
WARREN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
WARREN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
WARREN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION CONSORTIUM
WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT
WAYNE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
WAYNE HIGHLANDS SCHOOL DIST
WAYNE LIBRARY AUTHORITY
WELLSBORO AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESLEY SPECTRUM SERVICES
WEST BRANCH AREA SCHOOL DIST
WEST CHESTER AREA DISTRICT
WEST GREENE SCHOOL DISTRICT
WEST OAK LANE CHARTER SCHOOL
WEST PHILADELPHIA ACHIEVEMENT CHARTER ELEMENTARY
WEST PITTSTON LIBRARY
WEST SHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT
West Side CTC
WESTERN WAYNE SCHOOL DISTRICT
WESTMONT HILLTOP SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILKES-BARRE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLIAM PENN SCHOOL DISTRICT
WILLIAMS VALLEY SCHOOL DIST
WILLIAMSBURG COMM SCH DISTRICT
WILLIAMSPORT AREA SCH DISTRICT
WILMINGTON AREA SCHOOL DIST
WISSAHICKON CHARTER SCHOOL
WOODLAND HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT
WOODLYNDE SCHOOL
WOODS SCHOOL
WORDSWORTH ACADEMY SCHOOL DISTRICT
WYALUSING AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
YORK COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
YORK COUNTY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY
YOUNG SCHOLARS CHARTER SCHOOL
YOUNGSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
YOUTH BUILD PHILADELPHIA CHARTER SCHOOL
YOUTH SERVICE AGENCY

A few important Q & A’s:

1) Can I complete the BEAR online?
A. All BEARs must be filed online.  No paper BEARs will be accepted.

2) Can I put all of my reimbursement requests on a single BEAR?
A. No, a separate BEAR must be completed for each separate SPIN (vendor). For example, if you have 2 FRNs that list Comcast, and one FRN that is for AT&T, you can submit both Comcast FRN reimbursement requests on a single BEAR, but the AT&T reimbursement request must be filed on a separate BEAR.

3) Am I required to have the provider approve the BEAR?
A. No. Vendors no longer certify BEARs.  Your BEAR will be submitted directly to USAC for processing.

4)  How long will it take for my BEAR reimbursement to arrive?
A.   Because service providers have been removed from the BEAR approval/reimbursement process, BEAR reimbursements will be directly deposited to the bank account that was listed on the Form 498 within a few days of BEAR submission, assuming the BEAR is not denied for some reason.

5)  How will I know when the BEAR reimbursement amount has been deposited into my bank account?
A.  The General Financial Contact and the Remittance Contact listed on your Form 498 will both receive an e-mail containing a statement with the date the reimbursement amount was transferred and the amount.

6) I was committed more funding than I actually spent. Can I request reimbursement for the full amount that was originally committed?
A. No. Applicants may only seek reimbursement for the exact amount paid for the service instead of just listing the full funding cap (for example, if you were committed $10,000, but then only spent $6,000, you can only request E-rate reimbursements based on the $6000).  Please know that USAC has increasingly been requesting copies of invoices when they review the BEARs as proof that you are requesting the accurate amount.

7) I spent more than what was committed on my funding commitment letter (my cap). What should I list on my BEAR — the cap or the actual amount spent?
USAC would like you to complete the BEAR with the actual figures of what you spent for the service, and not just list your funding cap amount. For example, if you spent $10,000, and had a 50% discount, you would list $10,000 in Column 14 and $5,000 in Column 15, even if you were only committed $4,000. The reason is that USAC would like to show how much applicants are actually spending on services and also so they know that you are not just listing the funding commitment amount (the cap), but have actually added up how much was actually spent in each of the 12 months using the actual vendor bills. Unfortunately, they will only reimburse you up to the amount that you were committed.

8) What if I receive my BEAR Remittance Letter and it lists that $0 was approved?
A. This typically means that there was an error made on the BEAR Form and the applicant must correct the error and resubmit to USAC.  Typically there is an explanation on the BEAR explaining what was incorrect to help identify the error.  If not, call CSB at 888-203-8100 and they can give you a more detailed explanation.

9) What if I actually received a slightly different service/equipment than what was originally listed on my Form 471 application?
A. USAC has increased scrutiny of the BEARs to make sure that reimbursement requests are for exactly what services were approved for on the FCDLs.  If you changed services during the 2017 funding year from what you originally listed on your Form 471, you should first seek a “correcting service substitution request” from USAC by using the Service Substitution link in the upper right side of the EPC Landing Page.

10)  What should I do if I didn’t use the service?
A.  File a Form 500 and cancel the FRN.  The Form 500 must be filed in EPC where you will find the link in the upper right side of the EPC Landing Page.

Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
717-730-9060 – f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org

Site graciously hosted by the Capital Area IU 15 | Site designed and maintained by Silver Penny Studio