Year 2 E-rate Funds Remain -- Must Apply Now
Message Posted March 16, 2000
* * * Important * * *
* * * Only 100 Applications Have Been Received Nationwide So Far * * *
As you know, last week I sent an e-mail urging everyone to apply for the
remaining $250 million from Year 2 before March 31. According to the SLD,
as of today, only 100 applications have been received, which means that if
you still haven't applied, now is the time to do so.
Many questions have been raised since last week's e-mail, and so I have
composed a Q & A below to help clarify some points.
1) Q. If I filed my Year 2 471 after the close of the Year 2 window (April
6, 1999), but before March 1, 2000, will my application be funded?
A. Yes. All applications received during this time will be funded in their
entirety. The funding commitment letters, however, will not arrive until
late summer.
2) Q. If I filed a 470 in Year 2, but had your 471 rejected, should I apply
for the remaining funds?
A. Absolutely. If you had a valid 470 submitted, you may file a Year 2 471
application as if you had just corrected your application.
3) Q. If I had a 471 denied in Year 2 and it is on appeal, should I refile
a Year 2 471 now?
A. Absolutely. It is better to have too many applications on file than too
few. If they both are funded, then you can cancel one, but if you wait
until they decide on your appeal, you likely will have missed this March
window.
4) Q. Are applications received by March 31 considered as a batch, or on a
first-come, first-served basis?
A. The first priority for the $250 million will go to 80-90% applicants
that have never been funded (except for basic phone service). The second
priority will go to 80-90% applicants that HAVE been funded before. And the
third priority will go on a first-come, first-served basis for everyone
else. So..... apply NOW (don't wait until March 30 to overnight your
application).
5) Q. If I didn't apply for E-rate in Year 2, but then purchased an e-rate
eligible item from PEPPM later in the year, may I submit a 471, even though
it will actually be for reimbursement?
A. Yes. Anything that you have or will purchase by June 30, 2000 is
eligible.
6) Q. I changed my service provider in mid-year and lost my E-rate discount,
can I resubmit a 471 listing the new service provider?
A. Yes, but be sure to list your old Year 2 USCN number on the application.
7) Q. If I didn't submit a 470 in Year 2, may I use a 470 that I submitted
in Year 1?
A. No, the evergreen 470 concept does not apply to applications filed
before the Year 3 application cycle began, so the only USCN number that can
be used is one from Year 2.
8) Q. If I didn't submit a 470 in Year 2, may I submit a 471 now?
A. No, the only way you can submit a 471 now without having filed a 470 in
Year 2 is to purchase or have purchased an item from the PEPPM contract.
9) Q. I forget my Year 2 USCN number, how can I locate it?
A. Year 2 470 applications are still posted on the SLD web site at:
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/forms/search.asp.
10) Q. Can I submit my Year 2 471 online?
A. No, all Year 2 471s have to be filed manually, and must be RECEIVED by
March 31 in order to be considered.
11) Q. Can I use the same, improved 471 as I used in Year 3?
A. No, you must go to the SLD web site at
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/Reference/forms.asp and print out the
Year 2 Form 471.
12) Q. Where should the form be mailed to?
SLD-Form 471 Year 2
C/O Ms. Smith
3833 Greenway Drive
Lawrence, Kansas 66046
888-203-8100.
13) Q. If I want to file a 471 based on last year's PEPPM contract, what
information should I include on the form?
Item 7 Purpose of Request. Check 7a, as well as the "yes" box under
7a. For all purchases based on other 470's, you will probably check 7b.
Item 15 or 16.
Column (2) IMPORTANT! You must enter the following Universal Service
Control Number in this column for any E-Rate eligible PEPPM Purchases for
the 1999-2000 funding year: 865370000116660.
Column (3) Leave this column blank.
Column (4) List the date that the purchase agreement or contract was
signed between YOU and the service provider. Please note that this date must
be between 01/09/1999 and the date you mail in your 471.
Column (5) List the date that your contract will expire, probably
06/30/2000.
Column (7) List the service start date for your contract. This date
must be between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2000 because this is the year for
which you are applying for discounts.
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 705-4486
(717) 787-7222 - fax
jtritt@state.pa.us
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