The Schools and Libraries Division has notified E-rate applicants of two new deadlines that they may choose to meet in completing their applications for Year 4 of the E-rate program.
In a letter dated Nov. 6, SLD CEO Kate Moore said that applicants who intend to file their Form 470 applications on paper should submit them by Dec. 14 to leave enough time for the SLD to get them posted online. Form 470 applications must be posted by Dec. 21, 2000 to leave 28 days before the Form 471 filing deadline of Jan. 18, 2001.
In addition, the SLD set Jan. 4, 2001 as a "Beat the Crowd" date for applicants who were eager to learn the fate of their applications. The letter said, "Experience has shown that online filers are more likely to hear from SLD in the earlier waves of funding commitments. This benefit is much more likely to be available to you if your online Form 471 is filed and certification and attachments arrive by Thursday, January 4, a full two weeks before the close of the window. You will be beating the last-minute crowd."
In the past, E-rate applicants have tended to wait until the last possible date to complete their application work.
Moore's letter reiterated that the Form 471 filing window will end on Jan. 18, 2001 and that all application materials-forms, attachments and signed certifications-must be received or postmarked by that date.
