Fall PA E-rate Training Workshops Scheduled

October 17, 2022

~ Register Now! ~
~ USAC Training Classes Also Listed ~

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Education, I’m pleased to announce this year’s E-rate trainings for both returning (veteran) and beginner applicants as we pivot to applying for E-rate Funding Year 2023.  Trainings will be conducted virtually and as always, archives of the PP presentations will be available at http://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=745 for later viewing.  Please note:  The PA trainings are for school and library officials only (no vendors), but the USAC trainings are for both applicants and service providers.

Veteran Applicants – Kicking Off FY 2023!
There will be a 1-hour workshop on Thursday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m. for PA applicants who are already familiar with E-rate (our “veterans”) to kick off the new filing season.  Please join me to learn what’s new for Funding Year 2023 and make sure you’re prepared to file.

Register Here:   https://cciu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIscuyhrT8oH9SNmsg8tqZ8ACdA8SrZIT2T

Topics:

• FY 2023 Anticipated Window Dates and Suggested Filing Timing
• FY 2023 “Admin Window” Dates and Updated NSLP Data
• Modifications to PEPPM Bidding Timeline for FY 2023
• Which FRNs Need to Rebid for FY 2023
• Merging of E-rate BEAR into EPC
• New BEAR Authorization Requirement Coming in December
• Category 2 Budgets and Where to Research What $ is Remaining for Your School/Library
• What to Do if Exercising Contract Extension
• FY 2021 Invoice Deadlines / FY 2022 Form 486s Due
• Best Resources to Use
• If you have other topics you’d like to discuss, please include them in your registration.

Beginner Applicants – Let’s Learn E-rate!
There will be 2 beginners’ training workshops – one for public and non-public schools and one for libraries.  Trainings will provide a high-level overview of the program on the topics shown below and will last approx. 2 hours.  The only two prerequisites to attending beginners’ training are:  1) you be a true beginner, and 2) you become set up as a “User” in your school or library’s EPC account prior to training and have successfully logged into EPC.  Only your school or library’s EPC Account Administrator (AA) can create a new User.  If you’re unsure who is your EPC AA or if they need assistance in creating a new User, contact USAC at 888-203-8100 for help with that process.   Please register with your entity type:

Topics:

• Entity Eligibility
• E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) Overview
• Eligible Services
• Discount Calculations
• Category 2 Budget Calculations
• 12 Steps of E-rate
• E-rate General Filing Timeline
• Competitive Bidding
• Contracts
• Gift Rules Restrictions
• Resources

If you have any questions about the trainings, please let me know.  I look forward to seeing new and old E-rate faces in the next few weeks!

USAC Announces E-Rate 2022 Fall Training Schedule

USAC has confirmed the E-Rate Fall 2022 Training dates for applicants and service providers that wish to learn more about the program and how to participate. The training sessions will once again be virtual, and registration for each session is now available on the Webinars page. You can also click on the links below for each session to register for that specific training. The sessions are for E-Rate program participants at all levels and will include opportunities to ask questions. Eligible Services training will be scheduled once the FY2023 Eligible Services List is released.

• E-Rate Program Overview: October 18, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
  • USAC will provide a high-level overview of the E-Rate application process from beginning to end, and explain basic program concepts for applicants and service providers. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session.
• E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: October 20, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
  • USAC will discuss the E-Rate Pre-Commitment process. This includes how to get started, competitive bidding, applying for discounts, and Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session.
• Category Two Budgets: October 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
  • USAC will discuss Category Two (C2) budgets. We will provide an overview of C2 budgets and C2 budget guidance for FY2023. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session.
• EPC Administrative Window: October 27, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
  • 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. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session.
• E-Rate Post-Commitment Process: November 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
  • 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. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session.
• Eligible Services 101: To be announced

– Julie

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