E-rate Information

Application Process Filing Tips Funding Priorities Calculate Your Discount District Location Chart Application Checklist E-rate Help CIPA Resources Technology Plan Steps in the E-rate Application Process Glossary SLD Forms Apply Online: Forms 470 & 471 Download all SLD forms Paper copies of forms are available by contacting the SLD client Service Bureau: (888) 203-8100

Application Process

Program Overview

Please read the Program Overview for a description of the application process. (196 KB PDF file; requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Application Process Overview

1. Eligible applicants submit Form 470 (Request for competitive bid), describing the "wish list" of services;
2. Form 471 (Request for Discount) submitted within designated window to request discounts for eligible services.
3. Application is processed. A Funding Commitment Decision Letter either denying or approving request is sent to applicants. Applicant has 60 days from the date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter to appeal.
4. Determine with service provider if discounted bill will be provided or if applicant needs to request a reimbursement.
5. Verify that the applicant has received services as promised by the service provider by filing Form 486.
6. If applicant is requesting a reimbursement, the BEAR form (Form 472) will need to be submitted periodically after services have been received and paid for to request the reimbursement.

• NOTE 1: A certified Technology Plan is required to receive E-rate discounts.
• NOTE 2: Vendors can not complete, sign or be listed as a contact on any forms. However, they can be a potential source of information and assistance.

Form 470: Description of Services Requested and Certification Form

• Must be posted on the SLD website for 28 days; on the 29th day, you may choose your vendor and sign contracts if required for the service you are seeking.
• You are not obligated to purchase anything listed on this form.
• May be submitted any time after July 1.
• Only submit once for a multi-year contract.
• Funding is not guaranteed. If relevant, include a clause in any contract that allows an out if funding is not approved.
• It is strongly recommended that you submit the form online, even though mailing is an option. If posted online, a signed certification page in original ink must still be mailed via U.S. mail.
• A Receipt Acknowledgement letter will be sent which indicates the allowable contract date. Contract cannot be signed or Form 471 submitted before this date.
• Instructions from the SLD website (PDF file)
• If Minimum processing standards are not met upon submission, the form will be automatically rejected.

Form 471: Services Ordered

• Form 471 describes the services for which you are requesting discounts.
• Form 471 can only be filed once the window has opened. This window opens in early November and closes in mid-January.
• All Form 471s received within the window are treated the same. Form 471s received outside the window are treated first come, first served.
• Applications are funded based on the Rules of Priority.
• It is strongly recommended that you apply online, even though mailing is an option. If posted online, a signed certification page and a description of services must still be mailed via U.S. mail. The signed certification page must be postmarked on or before the closing date of the Form 471 window.
• Instructions from the SLD website (PDF file)
• If Minimum processing standards are not met upon submission, the form will be automatically rejected.

Form 486: Receipt of Service Confirmation Form

• Confirms that services have begun to be delivered.
• It triggers the process for the actual payment of discounts.
• It certifies that you have received approval for the technology plan(s) of entities receiving discounts on E-rate eligible services, and that you are CIPA compliant.
• Must be postmarked 120 days after receipt of Funding Commitment Decision Letter or the first day of receipt of service, whichever is later.

Form 472 or BEAR Form: Request for Reimbursement

• Used to request reimbursement on eligible services that had been paid in full.

Form 500: Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service

• Use to make allowed corrections.
• Use to reduce or cancel a funding line item.

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Filing Tips

To ensure that there are no errors or problems with you application, the following suggestions are strongly encouraged.

Apply Online: If you apply online with both the Form 470 and 471, your application will be processed faster since the data entry step has been bypassed. The data entry date of the Form 471 is one of the factors that determine how quickly a funding commitment decision letter is sent. You can also keep potential data entry errors down from the SLD staff.

File Separate Form 471s: To receive a funding commitment decision letter more quickly, submit separate Form 471s for telecommunications and Internet, and for internal connections. This is related to the Rules of Priority that funds telecommunications and Internet access first and internal connections second. If an internal connections request is on the same application as other services, then it cannot be funded until after all the telecommunications and Internet access has been committed. This will delay receipt of your funding commitment decision letter.

Trackable Mail Service: It is recommended that any forms mailed to the SLD be sent return receipt, signature requested or by any delivery service that tracks packages. It is important to have documentation of these forms in case their submission is ever questioned.

Minimum Processing Standards: If a form 470 or 471 does not meet minimum processing standards, it will be automatically rejected. File online and automatically meet minimum processing standards.

From the SLD website:

• Form 470 standards
• Form 471 standards

Funding Priorities

• Applications received within the window will be considered first. Applications received outside the window will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Rules of Priority provide:
1. Requests for telecommunications services and Internet access for all discount categories will receive first priority for the available funding (priority one services).
2. The remaining funds are allocated to requests for support for internal connections, beginning with the most economically disadvantaged schools and libraries, as determined by the schools and libraries discount matrix, i.e., schools and libraries eligible for a 90 percent discount and then working down each percentile level.