|
Tuesday, March 20 is Last Day to File 471s for FY 2012!
March 19, 2012
As of this morning, 33% of PA applicants still had NOT filed their Form 471s for FY 2012. The Funding Year 2012 Form 471 Filing Window closes at 11:59 p.m. EST, Tuesday, March 20. Here are a few quick reminders:
1) Multi-Year Contracts: Although you may have a multi-year contract (and didn't have to post a new 470 this year), you are still required to submit a Form 471 Funding Request each year to request E-rate funding. There is no such thing as a multi-year E-rate funding commitment.
2) Form 471 Extensions: March 20 is the deadline. There is no way to request a Form 471 extension.
3) Correcting a mistake: If you have made an error on your 471 and you have already hit submit, you can correct it 1 of 2 ways:
a/ (Recommended) Submit a new 471 before the March 20 deadline with a new, correct FRN, and then cancel the original erroneous FRN when the YELLOW Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) arrives. -- OR --
b/ Wait and just correct the mistake on the RAL. You are permitted to increase your funding request using the RAL. More information about RAL corrections will be forthcoming.
4) Item 21 Attachments: Item 21 attachments are required to be submitted or postmarked by the close of the window. If they aren't submitted, USAC will grant a short grace period after the window closes where they will still be accepted.
5) NCES Codes: If your school doesn't have an NCES code -- leave it blank! If you've already looked on the NCES database http://nces.ed.gov/GLOBALLOCATOR/ 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 not. There is NO WAY to request an NCES code.
6) If you don't have a PIN: You can submit your 471 online even if you don't have a PIN. Hit submit, then print out the paper certification and mail it to the SLD by Tuesday, March 20. The SLD will then mail you a PIN about 2 weeks later that you can use to certify all future E-rate applications.
7) Calling CSB: If you call the SLD's Client Service Bureau (888-203-8100) this week (8am - 8pm M-W, and 8am - midnight Fri), hit '0' when you reach the recording to reach a live agent. Don't leave a message.
8) Questions about Forms: If you have a question about a particular issue or item on the Form, please refer to one of these previous e-mails as the answer is likely there!
Form 471: http://e-ratepa.org/Listserve-Archive/2012/03-06-12.html
FAQs: http://e-ratepa.org/Listserve-Archive/2012/03-13-12.html
Item 21 Attachments: http://e-ratepa.org/Listserve-Archive/2012/03-09-12.html
Signing Contracts: http://e-ratepa.org/Listserve-Archive/2012/03-01-12.html
Selecting Vendors/Bid Evaluation: http://e-ratepa.org/Listserve-Archive/2012/02-28-12.html
Please e-mail me if you need assistance. Happy Filing!
-- Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 - o
717-730-9060 - f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
Penn*link
| 
Back to 2012 Archives Main