Final Day to Submit ECF Applications!
August 13, 2021
Good morning to all my PA school and library friends!
Today is the final day to submit applications for the $7 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF). So far, approximately 60 PA applicants have submitted 232 applications, requesting $41 million, and about another 100 applications are in draft form. If you have students or library patrons with unmet needs, please file an ECF application today!
Here are a few lasts minute tips if you haven’t yet pulled the trigger:
If you started an application and now can’t find the draft, look under the “Pending Tasks” tab and not “My Applications”.
- If you’re applying for mobile broadband service, you can use 4GB as the upload and download speeds.
- You can put both equipment and service FRNs on the same Form 471 – but not both on the same FRN. Wi-Fi Hotspot devices and monthly internet service costs must be on separate FRNs (one is equipment and the other services).
- Don’t forget to include taxes/fees as a separate FRN Line Item, if any will be assessed.
- Licenses must be bundled with device cost. Separately priced licenses are not eligible.
- If your device costs more than $400, only list $400 for the cost (not the higher amount).
- If you’re applying for devices or internet for teachers, be sure to explain this in the narrative as the reason why your unmet needs estimates won’t match the quantity on your application.
- If you’re filing multiple 471s, the answers to your Unmet Needs Survey should be identical for each 471 (only applies to schools).
- If you’ll just be issuing a PO for the equipment/service, you can select Non-Contract as the agreement type. There’s really no wrong answer to this question.
- Use the form’s default service delivery dates of 7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022. The detailed cost section will ask you to enter the # of months that service is being provided and doesn’t automatically calculate using the calendar dates like the E-rate Form 471 does. Be careful.
- If you submit the form and realize you’ve made a mistake, there’s a Modification feature under the Related Actions tab to ask your PIA reviewer to make changes.
I’m here to help! If you have any ECF questions, please e-mail me at jtschell@comcast.net. The USAC ECF Customer Service Support Center is also open until midnight tonight – 1-800-234-9781.
Happy ECF filing, everyone!
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org