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Tomorrow, February 16, is Last Day to File 471s for Year 9!
~Information on SLD System Errors ~

Message Posted February 15, 2006

This is your final reminder that the Year 9 Form 471 Filing Window closes at 11:59 p.m. EST tomorrow (Thursday, February 16)!  A few notes about some SLD system errors and quick reminders:

Form 471 eCertification Issues
The Online 471 eCertification feature was having problems and not letting some applicants eCertify yesterday and this morning.  Thanks to everyone who brought this to my attention.  We believe the problems were fixed around noon today, so if you tried to eCertify and couldn't, please go to http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp and click on "Certify Complete" and complete your certification.  If you want to be 100% sure that your application was submitted and/or certified, click on "Display" and enter your 471 #.  It will then show you a copy of your submitted form, and at the top will be the date that it was submitted, and the date it was certified.

Online Item 21 Attachment Issues
The Online Item 21 Attachment system also has been having problems, but they seem to be intermittent.  If you encounter problems, sometimes it helps to clear your computer's cache (Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files) and try again.  Because Item 21s don't have to be submitted by the 471 deadline, please don't worry too much if you can't submit them right away.  I still encourage you to use the online system instead of mailing in your attachments; please just be patient and try again in a few days when the system isn't as overloaded.

Reminders:
1)  If you are filing late tomorrow and the SLD website is having technical difficulties that won't allow you to submit your application, call the SLD at 888-203-8100 to report the problem so it's recorded in your files in case of an appeal (and then send me an e-mail).  If you are planning to eCertify tomorrow, you may want to do so before your local post office closes just in case the eCertification system goes down again and you need to paper certify.

2)  If you have made an error on your 471, you can correct it 1 of 2 ways:
     a) Submit a new 471 before tomorrow's deadline with a new, correct FRN, and then cancel the original erroneous FRN when the Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) arrives.  -- OR --

     b)  Wait and just correct the mistake on the RAL.  If your mistake is that you have requested TOO LITTLE funding, then file a new 471 today.  You cannot request additional funding on the RAL.

3)  Do the Item 21 attachments need to be postmarked by the close of the window?  No, just the 471 and 471 certification page must be postmarked by February 16, 2006 11:59 EST.  You can submit the Item 21 attachments after the window closes.

4)  Don't forget that the person signing the form must use the correct date!  (Meaning, make sure they didn't sign it 2/16/05 instead of 2/16/06.)

5)  If your school doesn't have an NCES code -- leave it blank!  If you've already looked on the NCES spreadsheet (http://www.e-ratepa.org/helpful_docs_nces.htm) and your school doesn't have one, leave it blank on the form.  You'll get a pop-up reminder, just hit OK and proceed with your application.  Also, only school buildings have NCES codes -- non-instructional facilities (NIFs) do no.

6)  Proof of Postmark
If you mail your application and/or certification pages, be certain to retain a copy of proof of postmark.  I also suggest printing out a copy of the courier's online proof of delivery page and retaining it with your files.  Those pages are normally purged from the courier's website six months after delivery.

Happy Last Day of Filing!  Call or e-mail me if you need me.

-- Julie

Julie Tritt Schell

jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
(717) 730.7133 (voice)
(717) 730.9060 (fax)

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