E-rate Next Steps/FY 2024 Data Analysis

April 12, 2024

Attached: FRN Simple Data FY 2024

Attached: Form 471 Detailed Data – FY 2024

Congratulations to the 884 PA schools and libraries that submitted their FY 2024 Form 471s by the deadline (and extended deadline)!  Outstanding job, everyone!

For the E-rate data junkies among us, here’s a breakdown of our stats, and what to do next:

Pennsylvania:

• Total Requested: $81,795,198 ($67,098,599 in FY 2023, $70,139,628 in FY 2022, $69,827,232 in FY 2021 and $61,223,923 in FY 2020)
• 2193 Total FRNs (2123 in FY 2023, FY 2022, 2299 in FY 2021 and 2553 in FY 2020)
• 1601 Form 471s (1521 in FY 2023, 1606 in FY 2022, 1565 in FY 2021 and 1702 in FY 2020)
• Filed by 884 PA entities (879 in FY 2023, 911 in FY 2022, 889 in FY 2021)

• Category 1 Requested:  $40,283,147 ($35,718,754 in FY 2023, $35,884,472 in FY 2022, $36,124,973 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 Form 471s:  1034 (1034 in FY 2023, 1081 in FY 2022, 1067 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 FRNs:  1414 (1405 in FY 2023, 1438 in FY 2022, 1448 in FY 2021)
• Category 1 PA entities:  789 (813 in FY 2023, 825 in FY 2022)
• Average Category 1 Discount:  72% (70% in FY 2023, 68% in FY 2022)

• Category 2 Requested: $41,512,051 ($31,379,846 in FY 2023, $34,255,153 in FY 2022, $33,702,259 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 Form 471s: 567 (487 in FY 2023, 525 in FY 2022, 498 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 FRNs:  779 (717 in FY 2023, 799 in FY 2022, 851 in FY 2021)
• Category 2 PA entities:  440 (389 in FY 2023, 411 in FY 2022)
• Average Category 2 Discount: 71.6% (69.17% in FY 2023, 66% in FY 2022)

Nationwide:  There were 35,268 Form 471s were submitted, requesting $3,239,407,951.  By comparison, 34,430 Form 471s were submitted in FY 2023, requesting $2,944,006 (34,849 were submitted in FY 2022, requesting $3,153,124,510, and 35,577 Form 471s were submitted in FY 2021, requesting $3.02B).  Note:  the nationwide data does not include applications submitted after the March 27, 2024 deadline, so these figures are likely a little higher that what was reported to the FCC.

• C1:  $1,921,411,718.  ($1,657,702,656 was requested in FY 2023, and $1,642,662,922 was requested in FY 2022).
• C2:  $1,317,996,233.  ($1,286,303,604 was requested in FY 2023, and $1,511,461,588 was requested in FY 2022).

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 10 (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=35390.  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=35381.

3. When Will USAC Begin Issuing FY 2024 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