Upcoming E-Rate FY2026 Form 470/Form 471 Deadline Reminders
February 26, 2026
~ Form 471 Deadline is April 1, 2026 ~
~ Post 470s NOW if you haven’t done so already! ~ Deadline is March 4, 2026
The FY 2026 Form 471 Application Filing Window, which officially opened at noon on January 21st, closes on April 1st, 2026, at 11:59 pm! As a reminder, the Form 471 is the application that applicants submit to the E-Rate Administrator (USAC) to request E-Rate funding. It is also the form where they provide details such as specific services/equipment, bandwidth, and quantities, selected service providers, discount rate, costs, and the Form 470 used to competitively bid the service/equipment.
If you haven’t yet posted your Form 470 for services that must be competitively bid for FY 2026, you still have a little time left, but not much. With the Form 471 deadline of April 1, the last possible date to file the Form 470 is March 4th. (Remember, if you’re using the PEPPM mini-bid process, you are not required to file a Form 470.)
~ If you already are in a multi-year contract, or if your procurement is complete for FY 2026 and your contract has been signed, or if you’re using the CABIO option, you can file the Form 471 now! No need to wait!
Reminders Before Starting Form 471:
1. The following Form 471 Training Guides are available:
2. CONTRACT RECORDS: If you have signed a new contract for FY 2026, a new Contract Record must be created in EPC prior to starting the Form 471. If you are submitting a Form 471 FRN for FY 2026 based on a multi-year contract for which you created a Contract Record in EPC in a previous year, you should NOT create a new Contract Record for FY 2026 – just cite that same contract record that’s in your Contract Module when prompted to do so in the Form 471. The only exception to this is if you found an error to an existing Contract Record, in which case you should create a new Contract Record (there’s no way to edit an existing Contract Record in EPC, unfortunately). Also, don’t create a new Contract Record if you are utilizing one of the available extensions on an existing contract (simply update the contract expiration date when prompted on the Form 471).
3. EPC PROFILE UPDATES:
a. School and library EPC profiles are “locked down,” and no further changes can be made in EPC. If you need to make changes to your school or library’s EPC profiles, submit a RAL Correction in EPC immediately after your 471 is submitted, explaining the changes that should be made. During the review of your 471, PIA will work with you to process the entity profile update.
b. Consortia memberships also have been “locked down.” HOWEVER, the Client Service Center (CSC) can assist consortia leaders with adding members to their consortia. Call them at 888-203-8100 or create a Customer Service Case in EPC prior to starting your Form 471.
c. The ability to link to a consultant has also been locked down, but CSB can perform this function on the backend.
If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Lorrie
Lorrie Germann
Pennsylvania E-Rate Coordinator
717-576-2737 – o
lgermann@e-ratepa.org
www.e-ratepa.org