ECF Application Window Opens June 29
June 15, 2021
USAC has announced that the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) application window will open on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at noon E.D.T. and will close 45 days later on Friday, August 13. This window is being referred to as ‘Window 1’ and will cover off-campus internet access and connected devices that will be purchased between 7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022 for students, educators and library patrons that otherwise lack sufficient access to these services/devices. If funding remains, the FCC will likely announce a second application window, but it is not yet clear if it will cover retrospective or additional prospective purchases.
To learn more about ECF, please plan to join the ECF webinar being held tomorrow, June 16 from 1 – 2:30. During this session, we will present an overview of ECF, describe the expected ECF Form 471 data points, provide recent updates/clarifications, and answer attendee questions. To register, go to: http://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=745. (USAC will also be offering an ECF webinar from 2 – 3 tomorrow, which I expect will be a general overview.)
USAC will use much of the existing organizational data from the E-rate EPC system (addresses, log-in credentials, authorized users, etc.) for the ECF application process. If your organization has not applied for E-rate in the last 5 years, you’ll want to complete steps in order to take advantage of ECF funding:
– Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FCCRN) if you don’t already have one.
– Contact USAC at 888-203-8100 to set up your entity’s One Portal credentials, establish Users, and be sure you can successfully log in to One Portal. The ECF Form 471 will be filed in One Portal (this is where the E-rate EPC System is also housed).
– Register with SAM.gov. You can apply for ECF without being registered in SAM.gov, but no funding can be disbursed until your registration is complete.
To keep track of all ECF updates/links/helpful docs, visit the ECF link at e-ratepa.org: http://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=32310.
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org