USAC Update on E-Rate

The FY2024 FCC Form 471 Filing Window is Now Open

The Funding Year (FY) 2024 FCC Form 471 application filing window opened Wednesday, January 17 at Noon and will close on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Below are some critical dates for FY2024.

• FY2024 FCC Form 470 (The First Form): Wednesday, February 28, 2024 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 by March 27, 2024, the last date of the FY2024 application filing window.
• FY2024 FCC Form 471 (The Second Form): Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET is the last date that you can submit your FCC Form 471 before the application filing window closes.

The FCC Forms 470 and 471 must be filed in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). The dates and times above apply to the time the form is certified in EPC. If you complete all the required information on the form before the deadline but certify it after the deadline, the form will not be considered as timely filed.

Get Started - File Early

USAC recommends that you submit your FCC Form 471 application(s) as early in the filing window as possible so USAC can begin the processes necessary to review your applications and issue timely funding commitment decisions. To start the FY2024 FCC Form 471 application filing process, follow the steps below.

Gain EPC Access – EPC is the account and application management portal for the E-Rate program.

• First-time Filers – If you are new to the E-Rate program, you will need a user account in EPC and a login and password for One Portal, our multi-factor authentication security system. Call our Customer Service Center (CSC) at (888) 203-8100 to set up your organization's EPC profile and account administrator.

Review the Eligible Services List - The Eligible Services List (ESL) for each funding year guides the eligibility of products and services under the E-Rate program. Note that for FY2024, School Bus Wi-Fi equipment and services are available. USAC recommends applying for these services on a separate FCC Form 471 than your other services.  Below are links to the ESL and related documents.

• FY2024 Eligible Services List (PDF)
• ESL Glossary (PDF)
• Eligible Services Frequently Asked Questions
• Visit the Eligible Services List page

File FCC Form 470 (The First Form) 

• Start the Competitive Bidding Process by filing your FCC Form 470, which is the first form in the application process.
• Remember you must wait the required minimum 28-day period after filing the FCC Form 470 before entering into an agreement with your selected service provider(s) and filing your FCC Form 471 application(s).
• Review the related user guides:
  • FCC Form 470 Filing EPC System Guide FY2022-FY2024 (PDF)
  • FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Reference Table (PDF)
• To request bids for School Bus Wi-Fi equipment and services, follow the guidance in the December 15, 2023 E-Rate News Brief when completing your FCC Form 470.
• Instructional videos on FCC Form 470 are available online:
  • How to File an FCC Form 470 (26:04 min.)
  • How to Search for an FCC Form 470 (12:25 min.)
  • E-Rate Competitive Bidding Process (5:00 min.)

File FCC Form 471 (The Second Form)

• Submit and certify your FY2024 FCC Form 471 application, the second form in the application process, before the March 27, 2024 filing window deadline.
• Watch the FCC Form 471 video series for step-by-step filing guidance.
• Bulk upload templates are available on the FCC Form 471 page for applicants with large numbers of eligible services and/or large numbers of recipients of service. The FCC Form 471 Bulk upload template cannot be used for fiber or Wi-Fi on buses.
• USAC highly recommends that requests for School Bus Wi-Fi equipment and services be submitted on separate FCC Forms 471.