Back-to-School E-Rate Update – Sept 2026

September 15, 2026

Happy September, E-Raters!  I hope everyone had a great summer, and your back-to-school transition went smoothly.  This time of year brings lots of E-Rate activity as you wrap up FY 2025, implement FY 2026, and prepare to bid/apply for FY 2027.  Please take a few minutes to review these updates to ensure that your filings are on track.

  • Need an Extension for FY 2025 Equipment Installation?  The deadline to receive and install your FY 2025 equipment is September 30, 2026.  If you cannot purchase AND install the equipment by this date, submit a Form 500 in EPC now to receive a 1-year extension (through Sept 30, 2027).  Important:  All requests must be made before the September 30, 2026, deadline.   Note:  Don’t confuse this with FY 2026 equipment purchases (you already have until September 30, 2027, to purchase and install that equipment).
  • FY 2025 BEAR Reimbursement Filings for Recurring Services:  Applicants who did not receive discounted vendor bills for FY 2025 recurring services must submit their BEARs by October 28, 2026, or request a one-time extension by this date.  The Form 472 BEAR Filing Guide is available at: Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide.pdf.  As a reminder, BEAR reimbursements now require applicants to have an active SAM.gov registration, with the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) added to FCC Form 498 in EPC, allowing funds to be disbursed to the bank account associated with the SAM.gov registration.  Payments will be held for BEAR filers who have not completed this step.  For more information, see the 9/2/2026 listserv posting at  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=36332.
  • Register Now for Fall E-Rate Training – Registration for the Fall 2026 (FY2027) PA E-Rate trainings is now open!  Training workshops will include the annual veterans’ workshop, beginner training, and C1/C2 eligibility and Form 470 bidding training.  If you are new or newish to E-Rate, please plan on attending these training courses so you are prepared to begin FY 2027.  Register now at  https://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=745.
  • Status of FY 2026 Funding Commitments:  PIA review is running behind this year.  As of September 15, 73% of PA funding requests have been decided.  Typically, by this time of year, more than 90% of requests have been funded.  However, PIA does continue to actively review applications, so if your Form 471 has not yet been decided, be sure to check your email for PIA inquiries.  If you need help understanding the PIA review process or where to find the PIA reviewer’s questions, please see: PIA Review Guide FY 2026.  If you need help responding to a PIA inquiry, please email me.  
  • File Your FY 2026 Form 486:  The next step after receiving a FCDL (funding commitment decision letter) is to file the Form 486. It’s a very easy form to submit, and I strongly encourage you to file it on the day you receive the FCDL, so you don’t forget.  Two reminders:  Do not check the ‘Early Filing Box’ when filing the 486 after July 31, and be careful not to be “click happy” on the CIPA certifications.  Full instructions on filing the Form 486 can be found at:  Form 486 Filing Guide FY 2026.  I’ll send a Form 486 reminder in a few weeks with the list of applicants who haven’t yet filed.
  • Changing EPC Account Administrators/Adding New EPC Users:  Summer often brings staffing changes, and it’s important that the new staff get set up in EPC so they are prepared to file E-Rate forms as soon as they’re due.  Hints:  Only AA’s can create new EPC user accounts and assign user permissions.’  Only AAs can transfer their AA ‘credentials’ to another existing EPC User.  If the AA is the new staff member and the previous AA is no longer with the school or library, contact CSC at 888-203-8100, and they will set up a new EPC AA account (only CSC can do this).  For a complete guide on how to add/remove EPC users, or change AAs, see:  EPC Admin Guide – Logging In/Updating AAs/Adding – Removing Users.
  • If you need any new E-Rate contacts added to the PA E-Rate Listserv, please e-mail me their contact information.
  • Watch for additional information and tools I’ll be sharing regarding the FCC’s NPRMs, which are proposing major changes to the E-Rate program, to allow you to make your voice heard.  For NPRM details, see the listserv posting from 8/14/2026 located at  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=36317.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Lorrie

Lorrie Germann
Pennsylvania E-Rate Coordinator
717-576-2737 – o
lgermann@e-ratepa.org
www.e-ratepa.org

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