E-rate Next Steps/FY 2023 Data Analysis

April 12, 2023

Attached: FRN Simple Data FY 2023

Attached: Form 471 Detailed Data FY 2023

Congratulations to the 879 PA schools and libraries that submitted their FY 2023 Form 471s by the deadline!  Outstanding job, everyone!

For the E-rate data junkies among us, here’s a breakdown of our stats:

Pennsylvania:

• Total Requested: $67,098,599.82  ($70,139,628 in FY 2022, $69,827,232 in FY 2021 and $61,223,923 in FY 2020)
• 2123 Total FRNs (2237 in FY 2022, 2299 in FY 2021 and 2553 in FY 2020)
• 1521 Form 471s (1606 in FY 2022, 1565 in FY 2021 and 1702 in FY 2020)
• Filed by 879 PA entities (911 in FY 2022, 889 in FY 2021)

• Category 1 Requested:  $35,718,754  ($35,884,472 in FY 2022, $36,124,973 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 Form 471s:  1034 (1081 in FY 2022, 1067 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 FRNs:  1405 (1438 in FY 2022, 1448 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 PA entities:  813 (825 in FY 2022)
• Average Category 1 Discount:  70% (68% in FY 2022)

• Category 2 Requested:  $31,379,846 ($34,255,153 in FY 2022, $33,702,259 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 Form 471s: 487 (525 in FY 2022, 498 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 FRNs:  717 (799 in FY 2022, 851 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 PA entities:  389 (411 in FY 2022)
• Average Category 2 Discount: 69.17% (66% in FY 2022)

Nationwide:  34,430 Form 471s were submitted, requesting $2,944,006.  By comparison, 34,849 were submitted in FY 2022, requesting $3,153,124,510.  A total of 35,577 Form 471s were submitted in FY 2021, requesting $3.02B.

• C1:  $1,657,702,656.  In FY 2022, $1,642,662,922 was requested.
• C2:  $1,286,303,604.  In FY 2022, $1,511,461,588 was requested.

What are the next immediate steps? 

1. Review Your Submitted Data:  Attached are two Excel files.  The first is a simple (one-tab) file showing all FRNs submitted by April 11 (the last day to submit a 471 and be considered for FCC waiver), including the current status of your application.  The second is a very detailed (5-tabs) file that shows every piece of data submitted on the Form 471, including FRN Line Items, Recipients of Service, Discount Calculations, etc.  Please open one of these files, filter by your entity’s name, and make sure that your data is accurate (hint: if you want to download a PDF of your application, click on the hyperlinked 471 # in the Basic Information tab of the detailed file).  If you need to make any corrections to the data you may do so by using the RAL Modification Process up until the date you receive your Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL), however with PIA reviews happening so quickly this year, it’s very important that any corrections/changes be made ASAP so the PIA reviewers can have them in-hand during their review.   Note:  You can also use the RAL to add an FRN or increase your funding request, but you will be asked to show documentation dated prior to the date you certified your Form 471 to substantiate the request.
A RAL Modification Guide and Instructions are available at:  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=34745.  The RAL Modification Process also should be used if you wish to cancel an FRN or an entire Form 471.
2. Prepare for PIA Review:  USAC’s PIA (Program Integrity Assurance) Team is busy reviewing applications and if they have questions or need additional information, they’ll reach out to you via e-mail.  The e-mail will contain a link to the PIA Inquiry but before you can see their questions, you must first log into EPC, THEN click on the link in the e-mail.  Then click on “Respond to Inquiries” in the top right corner of the page, then click on the name of the inquiry (it will be hyperlinked).  Complete instructions for navigating the PIA Review Process can be found at:  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=34710.
3. When Will USAC Begin Issuing FY 2023 Funding Commitment Decisions?  I expect the first wave of funding commitment letters to be issued in late April or early May.  FCDLs are released on a weekly basis until all applications have been decided, with a goal of releasing all FCDLs by September 1.

Congratulations, E-raters!  I’m so proud of you!

— Julie

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