ECF Deadline is This Friday, August 13!

August 9, 2021

Good afternoon, ECF Applicants!

Just a quick reminder that this Friday, August 13 is the deadline to apply for Emergency Connectivity Funding (ECF) for Window 1 (July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022).  So far, 86 PA applications have been submitted, with 105 in progress.  If you intend to file, please don’t wait until the last minute.

If you’re still on the fence, consider these points:

→ I don’t believe demand will exceed $7 billion, which, if true, will mean that all eligible applications will be funded.

→ If you haven’t done a survey or are unsure how many devices/service plans to request, use a best estimate for the Form 471, and then only seek reimbursement based on the number of devices/service plans ordered for actual students/teachers with documented unmet needs.

I’m here to help!  If you have any ECF questions, please e-mail me at jtschell@comcast.net.  I’m also conducting an ECF Q/A session on Wednesday from 1 – 2 where you can ask anything or share your draft application on screen (register at:  https://cciu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJckd-6qqjwjH9yIvdcoF6sTkVHaIYsmkizP).  If you missed either of the 471 demo sessions, and would like the recording, just let me know.  And before filing, be sure to review the Recent ECF Updates and Form 471 Do’s and Don’t’s.

Also, USAC has created two good 471 demo resources (a video and a written guide):

Video:  https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/video/ecf-fcc-form-471/story.html

Guide:  https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/ecf-fcc-form-471/ (click through the steps on the left toolbar)

The USAC ECF Customer Service Support Center is also open the following hours this week – 1-800-234-9781.

Monday – Tuesday, 8 am – 8 pm ET

Wednesday – Thursday, 8 am – 10 pm ET

Friday, 8 am – midnight

Happy ECF filing, everyone!

— Julie

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