E-Rate FY2025 Form 471 Deadline is Tomorrow!
Good morning E-Rate Community,
The FY2025 Form 471 filing deadline is tomorrow, March 26th, 11:59 PM ET.
If for some reason you cannot make the March 26 deadline, please contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss your options.
Remember, you must file a Form 471 every year to request funding for recurring services – even if you’re in a multi-year contract. There’s no such thing as a multi-year E-Rate funding commitment.
If you’ve awarded a new contract, whether it’s a new multi-year service contract, or an accepted hardware quote, you must create a “contract record” in EPC prior to filing the Form 471. For a step-by-step guide on entering contracts and filing the Form 471, see the FY2025 Form 471 training presentation located on my “Resources Library” page at https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/resource-library/.
If you don’t know your service provider’s SPIN (Service Provider Identification Number) or the provider has multiple SPINs and you don’t know which to use, USAC has made available an interim SPIN you can enter (143666666) as a place holder on your FY2025 FCC Form 471 application funding requests. Once your provider receives their SPIN, or you’re able to confirm the correct number to use, you can update the information through the Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) modification process or during PIA review. While using the interim SPIN, you’ll reference your chosen quote or contract’s product/service details and costs.
If you’ve submitted your Form 471, you can check the application status by drilling down to the form. You’ll see the “Review Status” breadcrumbs at the top of the page. If it’s listed as “Outreach”, click “Review Inquiries” to see the pending inquiries. The response deadline will be listed, but if you need more time, click “Request Extension”. You’ll automatically receive seven additional days the first time you do this. However, if you request a second extension, that will require a PIA manager’s approval.
As in previous years, it’s typical for Form 471 reviewers to ask for verification of enrollment and NLSP counts, especially if the counts you used will increase your discount rate. One option often mentioned in the inquiry is a letter from the state. If you receive this type of inquiry, please let me know, and I can write the validation letter for you.
If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Lorrie
Lorrie Germann
State E-Rate Coordinator
On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education
lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov
www.ohio-k12.help/erate
Office: 740-223-2420
Cell: 740-253-1153