New Online 471 and Other News
Message Posted January 11, 1999
FORM 471 CAN NOW BE POSTED ONLINE
Fill-in-the-Blank PDF Forms Available
5th Wave Coming
Lawsuit Appears to be Weakening
* Last week the Schools and Libraries Corporation announced that schools and libraries now can post their From 471s online as opposed to having to complete manually and mail. The electronic version is being launched as a pilot because of certain technical requirements needed. A copy of their announcement and technical requirements is below.
* For those of you who have a hard time typing or writing in the little blanks on forms and who choose or cannot complete your Form 470 or 471 online, someone in Michigan has created fill-in-the-blank PDF forms of the 470, 471, 486 and 472.
* For those of you eagerly awaiting the 5th wave of Funding Commitment Letters, I understand that it may be available by the end of this week. The SLC also anticipates being able to have all letters mailed by January 30.
* Although I haven't mentioned it much, the 1999-2000 E-rate application window that began on Dec. 1, 1998, will end on March 11, 1999. This means that the last day to file a Form 470 in this window is technically February 9, giving you almost exactly 28 days to accept and open bids, sign contracts, complete your Form 471 and have it received at the SLC by March 11. Also, don't forget that even if you file your Form 471 online, you still must sign and mail the certification page to the SLC and have it received in the window. As you can see, waiting until the last day to file your Form 470 gives you NO spare time for cushion. My advice is to have your Form 470 posted by the end of January at the latest to give yourself a week to complete and mail your Form 471.
Also, don't forget that you MUST file a new form 470 and 471 for ALL your services each year.
On December 21, SBC Communications Inc., owner of Southwestern Bell and Pacific Telesis, filed a motion to withdraw from a key portion of a critical lawsuit challenging the schools and libraries E-rate discount program. SBC's withdrawal from part of the lawsuit comes on the heels of BellSouth's withdrawal from the same lawsuit. GTE and others still remain in the lawsuit challenging the E-rate program. The case is currently before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. There is no deadline for a decision in the case, although some observers predict there could be a decision in late spring 1999.
From the SLC...
A PILOT YEAR FOR FORM 471 ONLINE
For the 1999-2000 application period, the online electronic version of Form 471 is being launched as a pilot. Development of a fully functioning,
robust online application system for Form 471 in time for this application period required SLC to make some very specific technology choices.
We are actively exploring how to broaden the reach of the Form 471 online application, and the experience of those who use the 1999-2000 version will
help shape the online options for 2000-2001.
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FORM 471 ONLINE
To successfully file Form 471 online for 1999-2000, applicants will need the following technologies:
Computer: PC (Intel-based or IBM compatible) 486 or higher Operating system: Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT or higher Browser: Internet Explorer 4.0, Version 4.71 or higher (with capability for running Visual Basic scripts). (Note: To determine which version of Internet Explorer you have, click "Help" at the top of your browser, then click "About Internet Explorer.")
During this pilot year, the online version of Form 471 will NOT be available to applicants using:
Macintosh computers or other non-PC (Intel/IBM-compatible) computers Non-Internet Explorer browsers such as Netscape
Versions of Internet Explorer earlier than IE 4.0 / V 4.71
ALTERNATIVES FOR FILING FORM 471
Applicants who cannot or choose not to file Form 471 online can still download/print a hard copy of the form and instructions from the SLC Web
Site (www.slcfund.org/Reference/471ORtoc.asp), or may call 888/203-8100 to request a copy of the form by mail. Applicants are also encouraged to
monitor the Web site and SLC fax-on-demand service (800/959-0733) for updates, guidance, and helpful hints for filing their Form 471.
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Educational Technology
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
Tel: (717) 705-4486
Fax: (717) 787-7222
www.L2L.org
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