Helpful Guidance for New Item 24 Questions

March 3, 2014

Clarifications to New Item 24 Questions

The FY 2014 Form 471 old Block 2 survey questions have been replaced by new questions in Item 24, specific related to broadband connectivity. The questions are a little confusing and I know many of you are struggling (or will soon struggle) to figure out whether the questions apply to your funding requests and if so, what information should be entered. Although I usually try to send out application guidance in a particular order to walk you through each step of the process and each section of the form, I think it’s important that I provide you with guidance on the Item 24 questions as soon as possible. Please have this document handy when you work on your Block 5 funding requests.

Quick Summary of When You Must Answer the New Item 24 Questions:

• You can check the Item 24 box and skip all of the questions in 24 a, b, and c if your funding request is for voice services, cellular voice services that don’t include data plans, internet access (only), webhosting, hosted e-mail, internal connections, and basic maintenance.
• If the FRN is for transport AND Internet in the same funding request, you may NOT check the box and must answer questions a and b related to the transport portion of the FRN. Internet-only FRNs can check the box and skip the questions.
• If the FRN is for cellular service which contains data plans or cellular mobile broadband service, you may NOT check the box and must answer questions a and b related to the data portion of the FRN.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at jtschell@comcast.net.

— Julie

Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator

717-730-7133 – o
717-730-9060 – f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
Penn*link