• Applicants
  • Step 1: Determine Eligibility
  • Step 2: Develop a Technology Plan
  • Step 3: Open a Competitive Bidding Process
  • Step 4: Select a Service Provider
  • Step 5: Calculate the Discount Level
  • Step 6: Determine Your Eligible Services
  • Step 7: Submit Your Application for Program Support
  • Step 8: Undergo Application Review
  • Step 9: Receive Your Funding Decision
  • Step 10: Begin Receipt of Services
  • Step 11: Invoice USAC
• Service Providers
  • Step 1: Obtain a Service Provider Identification Number
  • Step 2: Search Applicant Requests for Service
  • Step 3: Respond to Applicant Requests
  • Step 4: Applicants Select Service Provider
  • Step 5: Assist Applicants with Application Review
  • Step 6: Receive Funding Commitment Decision Letter
  • Step 7: Begin Providing Services
  • Step 8: File Annual Certification
  • Step 9: Invoice USAC

About the Schools and Libraries Program:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Outreach and Training
• HATS Outreach
• Filing Appeals
• Understanding Audits

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• Apply Online
• Commitments
• Submit a Question
• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Reference Area
• Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Suspensions and Debarments
• Contact Us

Proof of Postmark or Delivery

Applicants and service providers should retain proof of postmark or delivery of forms and correspondence in case there is a question as to when the documentation was received at USAC.

Proof of Postmark or Delivery

Applicants can submit certain documents to USAC on paper. These documents include FCC forms; certifications and/or documentation related to those forms; certifications and/or documentation related to specific requests, such as SPIN changes, deadline extension requests, appeals, and letters. In many cases, such documents are time-sensitive; in other words, the documents must be postmarked or received by a certain deadline in order to be processed or to be considered as simultaneously received.

Applicants are advised to keep legible proof of the date of postmark or date of delivery for documents submitted on paper. Documentation that includes both the postmark date and the delivery date is highly recommended. In the event that a deadline is the delivery, or receipt, date of a document, your documentation must also show the date of delivery.

Acceptable proof of postmark date or delivery date can include the following:

• Applicants who submit items on paper to USAC via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail should obtain a "Certificate of Mailing" from the USPS (Form 3817) which will give the applicant a receipt showing the postmark date. Be sure that the postmark is legible before leaving the post office. This is extremely important if you are approaching a deadline. For a fee, the USPS also offers multiple delivery options that include delivery confirmation.
• Applicants who submit items on paper to USAC via express delivery services should obtain a copy of the tracking document showing the date the delivery service accepted responsibility for delivery of the items. Delivery confirmation is also available and should be requested from the delivery service. This confirmation may be available via the Internet or some other method.
• Applicants who submit items on paper to USAC via a third-party service may use a dated receipt from the service that took responsibility for delivery of those materials, even if the express delivery is made by another provider. Delivery confirmation is also available and should be requested from the delivery service. This confirmation may be available via the Internet or some other method.
• Applicants who submit items on paper to USAC by hand-delivery to a physical address should retain a dated receipt from the person who accepts their submission. This dated receipt will serve as both the "postmark" and the delivery confirmation.