Attached are my Guides to filing for Category 1<\/a> and Category 2<\/a> Funding Requests, and here are some helpful hints to remember when filing the new Form 471:<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0 Use the Item 21 Template for Category 2 Requests<\/strong>, but just complete the online Item 21 for Category 1 Requests.\u00a0 Templates are available at:\u00a0 <\/strong>http:\/\/www.usac.org\/sl\/tools\/forms\/471-templates.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0 Use the Narrative Section to Explain Cost Allocations<\/strong> – Because most voice funding requests this year contain ineligible services\/features, be sure to use the Narrative box in the Key Information Section to explain what features\/services you have cost allocated from your request – AND – be sure to include those amounts in the “ineligible” costs on the Item 21.\u00a0 For example, if you have removed text messaging and data plans from your cellular voice requests, be sure to indicate that in the Narrative box and then list the cost of those ineligibles in the Item 21 section.<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0 If you see a ? next to the Item 21 Button<\/strong>, it likely means that you haven’t completed the Manage Recipients function to show which entities are receiving the service or equipment.\u00a0 Click on the Manage Recipients button to complete this task, or, if you don’t see that button, click on the + symbol to the very left of that line item.\u00a0 The Manage Recipients button will appear again.<\/p>\n 4) \u00a0Be sure to check VOICE<\/strong> in the Key Information Section if the funding request is for cellular, local, long distance, PRIs, Centrex or VOIP services.\u00a0 These are not considered “Telecommunications” for the purpose of the Form 471 this year.\u00a0 The system will then know to deduct the 20 discount percentage points from your pre-discount request.<\/p>\n 5)\u00a0 For Internal Connections,<\/strong> be sure to list the total extended cost and not the unit price. \u00a0Although the system asks for quantities, it does not ask for unit price and therefore you must do the math offline and then list the total cost.<\/p>\n 6)\u00a0 Other Helpful Hints\/FAQs<\/strong> – https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?cat=52<\/a><\/p>\n If you have any other questions, please e-mail me at jtschell@comcast.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell 717-730-7133 – o penn*link<\/p>\n\n![\"Item21\"](\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Item21.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Category-1\"](\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/Category-1.jpg\")
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\nPA E-rate Coordinator<\/p>\n
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n