Before You Begin: Obtain Billed Entity Number (BEN) and E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) account from Universal Administrative Company (USAC)
E-rate Program Application Process
Step 1
Competitive Bidding
Request services by submitting
Form 470 for bids
Form 470 Deadline:
Feb 22, 2022
Evaluate bids & select service provider
Step 2
Apply for Discounts
Seek discounts for services by submitting Form 471
Form 471 Deadline:
Mar 22, 2022
Determine invoice method
Step 3
Start Services
Certify services have begun & report CIPA status by submitting Form 486
Form 486 Deadline:
120 days from service start
or
120 days from FCDL
Evaluate bids & select service provider
Step 4
Invoicing
Submit Form 498 to receive an applicant 498 ID for direct BEAR payments
If requesting reimbursement from USAC for services paid in full, submit Form 472
Form 472 Deadline:
120 days from service start date
OR
120 days from Form 486 Notification Letter
Funds For Learning’s Commitments to You:
- Regularly Scheduled Communication
- Timely, Triple Checked Forms
- Training & Information
- Dedicated Guide Crew
- Transparency on Form Submission
- Guide the way
- Plan Support
- Document Analysis, submission & storage
Your Steps to Success:
- Attending the scheduled meetings
- Form Certifications
- Timely Approvals on responses or other documents
- Provide all contracts, requested documents
- Inform FFL of major changes – new facilities, new sites, name changes, contact
- USAC will send requests and questions to you throughout the year, by forwarding all communications to FFL on a timely basis, it ensures everything progresses
