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USAC Extends E-Rate Application Deadline to April 16

According to a notice on its website, the Universal Service Administration Company, in consultation with the FCC and in response to a request from the country’s largest school districts, has extended the E-rate application deadline for this fiscal year by three weeks. Applications are now due by midnight EDT on April 16 instead of the original date of March 26.

According to the USAC, “The extension of the application window will not slow down or adversely impact the review of applications or cause a delay in issuing funding decisions for those applications which have been submitted and certified…. Those applications that have been submitted, certified and meet program requirements will likely get a decision first.”

The USAC also offered these three tips to applicants: 

  1. If you have not yet started your FCC Form 471 application process, start it now. 
  2. If you have started but not submitted your FCC Form 471 application, complete and submit it as soon as possible. 
  3. If you have not yet certified your application, certify it now. You can certify online if you have a Personal Identification Number. You can also print a paper copy of your certification page, sign and date it, and send it to USAC. The review of your application cannot start until it has been successfully certified. 

Applicants who need help can go to the USAC’s Submit a Question page or call (888) 203-8100.

About the Author

Christopher Piehler is the former editor-in-chief of THE Journal.

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