E-Rate Updates & Deadline Reminders
Good morning E-Rate Community,
And I hope the new school year is off to a great start.
I want to update you on several E-Rate items.
First, the URL for my E-Rate website has changed. It is now https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/.
Here are a few upcoming deadlines and reminders:
- If you haven’t received your FY2024 funding letter yet, be sure to check the status of your application in the EPC portal. If the status is listed as “Outreach,” a PIA inquiry is waiting for you to provide information.
- FY 2023 BEARs: The deadline to file FY 2023 BEARs for recurring services is October 28, 2024. Full instructions on the BEAR can be found on my website at https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/resource-library/.
- FY 2024 Form 486s: If you have received your FY 2024 FCDL and have not yet filed the Form 486, don’t forget this important step. Although the deadline to submit is the end of October for most FRNs, you won’t be able to submit a BEAR or receive discounted bills until the 486 is submitted. Full instructions on the Form 486 can be found on my website at https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/resource-library/.
- If You Want Discounted Bills: Be sure to tell your vendors if you want to receive discounted bills where the vendor then seeks reimbursement. If you prefer to pay your vendor invoices in full and then submit the Form 472 BEAR to seek reimbursement, that’s your option, but you must stick with one invoicing method or the other for the entire funding year for each FRN.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots to be E-Rate Eligible for FY 2025: The FCC has voted to allow Wi-Fi hotspots for students and staff with unmet needs to be eligible beginning in FY 2025. The FCC’s Order is now available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-76A1.pdf. Although what’s eligible is generally the same as ECF, many added conditions exist. First, applicants will have a 3-year, pre-discount budget that is based on the applicant’s size (a school’s enrollment or a library’s square footage) up to a maximum of 20% of students (schools) or 5.5 hotspots for each 1000 square feet (libraries). There also is a maximum pre-discount cap of $15/hotspot plan and $90/hotspot device. The E-Rate competitive bidding rules and E-Rate discounts will apply using your C1 discount rate. I’m working on scheduling workshops to cover the Wi-Fi Hotspots details to be held later in September, so watch for those dates. I’m scheduling workshops to cover the details to be held later in September, so watch for those dates.
If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Take care, and I wish you all a great Labor Day weekend.
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