The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be Closed on January 1, 2009 in Observance of New Year's Day.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Thursday, January 1, 2009 in Observance of New Year's Day. The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Friday, January 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be Closed on December 25 and December 26, 2008 in Observance of the Christmas Holiday.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2008 in observance of the Christmas holiday. The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

FY2009 Application Filing Window Dates Established

FY2009 application filing window opened at noon EST on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 and will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 12, 2009. The filing window will be open for 73 days.

Applicants should note the January 15th deadline for posting a FY2009 Form 470 to still comply with the 28-day posting requirement.

Traditionally, a high percentage of Forms 471 arrive at USAC during the final week that the window is open. We urge you to file early so that:

• You have an opportunity to review your work and make corrections if necessary.
• You can re-file your form if an error you made cannot be corrected.
• USAC has your information and can start reviewing your application.

We also urge you to file online:

• The system notifies you of possible errors and allows you to correct them.
• The system does your calculations for you.
• You can review your information online before you submit it.
• Your information is submitted to us quickly and correctly.

FY2009 Eligible Services List Issued

The FCC issued Public Notice FCC 08-265 on November 21, 2008.  This public notice released the FY2009 Eligible Services List (ESL) and waived the requirement that the Eligible Services List be published at least 60 days before the opening of the filing window.

The FY2009 ESL is the same as the FY2008 ESL.   As you prepare to file your program forms for FY2009, be sure to review the ESL for the eligibility of products and services you are considering.  

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on November 27 and November 28, 2008 in observance of Thanksgiving

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, 2008 in observance of Thanksgiving. The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of Labor Day

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Monday, September 1, 2008 in observance of Labor Day.  The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

Schools & Libraries training environment maintenance starting Saturday, August 9, 2008, 9am EDT

USAC will begin performing maintenance on the training environment Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 9:00am EDT. The training environment will resume normal operations on Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 9 am, EDT.

Schools & Libraries website maintenance starting Friday, July 18, 2008, 5 pm EDT

USAC will perform maintenance on the Schools & Libraries website starting Friday, July 18, 2008, 5 pm EDT. The system will resume normal operations on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at 6 pm EDT. Users will be unable to access Apply Online, Submit a Question, and most of the search tools during this maintenance period.

2008 Schools and Libraries Fall Training – Registration Open

Fall Training Agenda and Presentations

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be Closed on Friday, July 4, 2008 in Observance of the Fourth of July.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Friday, July 4, 2008 in Observance of the Fourth of July. The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Monday, July 7, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

Schools and Libraries Applicant Training Sessions (Fall 2008) – Save the Dates!

USAC plans to conduct seven applicant training sessions in September and October 2008. Each training session will last one and one-half days.

We have indicated below the cities and weeks we expect to schedule the training. Arrangements are still tentative at this point, but we want to provide you with preliminary information so you can begin planning for the fall. We intend to avoid travel or training on holidays – specifically, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Columbus Day.

Once training arrangements have been finalized, we will post to the website a complete list of training cities and dates with hotel information and online registration forms.

We look forward to seeing you this fall.

Tentative Training Schedule

The Schools & Libraries Client Service Bureau will be Closed on May 26, 2008 in Observance of Memorial Day.

The Schools & Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Monday, May 26, 2008 in Observance of Memorial Day. The Client Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

Schools & Libraries training environment maintenance starting Friday, May 16, 2008, 5 pm EDT

USAC began performing maintenance on the training environment Friday, May 16, 2008 around 5 pm EDT. The training environment will resume normal operations on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 8 am, EDT.

Schools & Libraries website and training environment maintenance starting Friday, May 16, 2008, 5 pm EDT

USAC will be performing maintenance on the Schools & Libraries website starting Friday, May 16, 2008, 5 pm EDT. The system will resume normal operations on Monday, May 19, 2008, 8 am, EDT. Users will be unable to access Apply Online, Submit a Question, and most of the search tools during this maintenance period.

USAC will also be performing maintenance on the training environment starting Friday, May 16, 2008, 5 pm EDT. The training environment will resume normal operations on Tuesday, May 27, 2008, 8 am, EDT.

USAC Salutes Teachers in Honor of National Teacher Day

In honor of National Teacher Day today, USAC would like to thank teachers for their dedication and efforts in teaching tomorrow's leaders. USAC would like to recognize especially those teachers who embrace and incorporate new technologies into their curricula made available by such programs as the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund. Using Internet access and telecommunications technologies enriches our children's learning experiences and prepares them for the future as active, involved leaders of our communities. Thank you for all you do for our children, our communities, and our world.

2008 Service Provider Training Agenda and Presentation Materials Now Available

Agenda and Presentation Materials

USAC Releases First Commitments for Funding Year 2008

USAC released wave one of funding commitment decision letters (FCDLs) to Funding Year 2008 (FY2008) school and library applicants on May 1. USAC sent over 10,000 letters committing more than $352 million in Universal Service Fund support. The FCDLs will notify applicants of funding commitments for Priority One services (telecommunications and Internet access) for all discount bands from 20% to 90%.

• View the Press Release [PDF, 40KB]

Schools & Libraries website maintenance starting Friday, May 2, 2008, 6 pm EDT

USAC will be performing maintenance on the Schools & Libraries website starting Friday, May 2, 2008, 6 pm EDT. The system will resume normal operations on Saturday, May 3, 2008, noon, EDT. Users will be unable to access Apply Online, Submit a Question, and most of the search tools during this maintenance period.

GAO Survey of E-rate Beneficiaries

You may be selected to participate in a survey that will be conducted shortly by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), an agency of the U.S. Congress, as part of a GAO review of the E-rate program. We urge you to participate.

GAO plans to survey approximately 700 randomly selected beneficiaries to obtain information on their experiences with and views of the E-rate program. Because beneficiaries will be randomly selected, survey responses will be representative of the entire E-rate beneficiary population. Those beneficiaries chosen to participate will receive an e-mail from GAO later this month with instructions on how to access and complete the survey.

GAO will discuss the results of the survey in a report to Congress to be issued later this year. We encourage you to participate in the survey, if requested, so GAO will be able to provide Congress with the best possible information on how the E-rate program is working for beneficiaries and what improvements may be needed to help it work better.

Only GAO staff assigned to this study will be able to access and view your responses. GAO will report the results of the survey in summary form, and if they discuss any individual answers in their report, they will exclude any information that could be used to tie individual beneficiaries to their responses.

Spring Training for Service Providers - Registration Open

2008 Service Provider Training

USAC Provides Demand Estimate for Funding Year 2008 to FCC

On February 29, 2008, the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) reported to the Federal Communications Commission that $4.3 billion in requested funding has been estimated for schools and libraries seeking discounts for Funding Year 2008. This estimate is based on the dollars requested in 39,909 applications received or postmarked by February 7, 2008, the close of the Form 471 application filing window.

There are several factors that will reduce ultimately the funds requested from the estimated level. First, while efforts have been made to eliminate duplicate requests, inevitably we will discover more duplication as we process these applications. Second, USAC's efforts to assure that funds are committed only for eligible services, for use by eligible entities with the appropriate discount rate, and are otherwise consistent with program rules, will further reduce the demand.

For detailed information, please refer to the FY2008 Demand Estimate [PDF, 599kb].

The FY2008 Window Has Closed –
Congratulations to Applicants and Service Providers!

At 11:59 p.m. EST last night, the FY2008 application filing window closed. Our preliminary results show that a high percentage of your applications, certifications, and Item 21 Attachments were filed online. By filing online you have made it possible for us to start the review process more quickly, which is what we all want. In addition, filing online greatly reduces the chance of errors. We appreciate your efforts.

We will now work to complete data entry of the paper applications postmarked within the application window that arrive at our offices next week. To help us in this effort:

• If you have not certified a Form 470 or Form 471, please do so as soon as possible. Remember that you can use your PIN to certify online.
• File all remaining Item 21 Attachments for the funding requests on your Form 471. You can file online using your Form 471 application number and security code, or you can file electronically, by fax, or on paper.

Last-minute Filing Tips

File your Form 471 online and as soon as possible.

If you are having trouble filing online:

• Use a supported browser – Internet Explorer or Netscape.
• Allow pop-ups.
• Clear out your temporary Internet files. (More info…)

Call CSB this weekend (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST) if you have a question or problem. (More info…)

Ask CSB now if you need a new entity number – don’t wait until the window is closing. (More info…)

Use 143666666 to data enter a SPIN for a Block 5 funding request if your service provider doesn’t have a SPIN or you’re not sure which SPIN to use. (More info…)

For your Block 4 worksheets, you can look up your NCES code or FSCS code on the NCES website. You can also leave this item blank online.

If you file or certify on paper, keep proof of postmark or delivery. (More info…)

Online Form 471 Will Be Unavailable From This Friday Night at Midnight to 6:00 a.m. Saturday Morning, February 2

Each year, on the weekend before the filing window closes, USAC reboots its systems to enhance the performance of the network in preparation for the large volume of online Forms 471 that come in during the last few days of the window.

The Apply Online system will be unavailable from midnight on Friday to 6:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, February 2. Applicants will be able to see the Apply Online page but they will not be able to start a new form or work on an existing one while the system is offline.

Also, the Client Service Bureau will be open this weekend and on the evening of the window close for any last-minute questions. Applicants can call 1-888-203-8100 or use Submit a Question to pose their questions and get prompt answers.

CSB is normally open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST. However, USAC has expanded the hours CSB will be open during the week preceding the close of the window:

Saturday, February 2            9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Sunday, February 3              9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. EST
Monday, February 4              8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
Tuesday, February 5             8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
Wednesday, February 6       8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
Thursday, February 7            8:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m. EST

Please note also that the SLD Training Site will be unavailable during this last week of the window to prevent applicants from filing a Form 471 on the training site by mistake and to further improve the performance of the network.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be Closed on January 21, 2008 in Observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.

The Schools and Libraries Client Service Bureau will be closed on Monday, January 21, 2008 in Observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.  The Client  Service Bureau will resume normal operations on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. EDT.

FY2008 Form 470 Posting Deadline is January 10

Thursday, January 10, 2008 is the last day to POST a Form 470 for FY2008 to the USAC website in time to complete the competitive bidding requirements and submit a Form 471 by the window close deadline of February 7, 2008.

You must post your Form 470 online. If you mail a paper Form 470 to USAC now it will not be posted in time. As stated in the FY2008 Letter to the Field:

• If you submit your Form 470 online, it is posted immediately.
• If you submit your Form 470 on paper, USAC will make every effort to post it by January 10 if it is received on or before Thursday, January 3, 2008.

If you wait until January 10 to post your Form 470, you must complete all of the following on February 7, 2008:

• Close your competitive bidding process (which must be open for 28 days)
• Select your service provider
• Sign a contract for services other than non-contracted tariffed or month-to-month services
• Sign, date, and submit your Form 471.