Tribal Training
USAC created the Tribal Training initiative to help Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program applicants on Tribal lands participate effectively in the E-rate Program. Our goal is to reduce the digital divide and promote high-speed broadband connectivity to Tribal schools and libraries.
Members of the E-rate Program staff are available to help Tribal applicants navigate the program, assist with solving and preventing funding issues, answer questions, provide training materials and guidance, and more.
Determine and Designate Your Entity’s Tribal Status
An E-rate applicant may self-identify as a Tribal entity in their EPC entity profile if the majority of students or library patrons served are Tribal members; the entity is located partially or entirely on Tribal land; the entity is a school operated by or receiving funding from the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE); or the entity is a school or library operated by a Tribal Nation.
Watch an instructional video on how to designate your entity’s Tribal status.
Jump to
Monthly Teleconference
Trainings
Resources
Contact Us
Monthly Teleconference
The E-rate Program hosts a monthly teleconference for Tribal E-rate Program applicants to discuss special topics, share program updates, and ask any questions.
Monthly calls are generally held at 4:00 p.m. ET on the second Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise noted below. Contact the USAC Tribal Liaison for the call-in information and agenda.
2021 Q1 Schedule
- January 12, 2021
- February 9, 2021
- March 9, 2021
Trainings
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all events will be virtual.
Upcoming Training Schedule
USAC routinely hosts free live online training events on E-rate topics. Check the Webinars page for the schedule.
Join us on February 9, 2021 and March 9, 2021 for a two-part webinar series for Tribal applicants to walk through the FCC Form 470 and FCC Form 471. Each event will include a question and answer session with E-rate Program staff.
Note: The Funding Year (FY) 2021 Application Filing Window opened on January 15, 2021 and will close on March 25, 2021. February 25, 2021 is the latest date that you can certify an FCC Form 470 for FY2021 and still have time to wait the required 28 days and certify your FCC Form 471 before the window closes on March 25 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
FCC Form 470 and 471 Walkthrough Series for Tribal Applicants (February/March 2021)
FCC Form 470 Walkthrough Webinar (Recording Available)
February 9, 2021
4:00 p.m. ET
Watch a recording
Webinar slides
Overview
Join us for the first webinar in the series designed to walk applicants through the steps for filing an FY2021 FCC Form 470. The webinar will include a step-by-step demonstration of filing the form and will be followed by a Q&A session.
- Recommended for: Tribal E-rate Applicants
- E-rate Experience Level: All levels
To prepare for the webinar, we recommend that you review the E-rate Program’s website:
- Brand new to E-rate? Learn how to Get Started.
- Learn more about the FCC Form 470 and Eligible Services.
- Review the steps in the application process:
- Step 1: Competitive Bidding
- Step 2: Selecting a Service Provider
- Follow the step-by-step guides offered in the instructional video series for FCC Form 470.
- Subscribe to the weekly Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program News Brief. It provides tips to help you through the application process and other timely information.
- SL News Brief: January 8, 2021
- SL News Brief: January 15, 2021
FCC Form 471 Walkthrough Webinar (March 9, 2021)
March 9, 2021
4:00 p.m. ET
Register
Overview
Join us for the second webinar in the series designed to walk applicants through an FY2021 FCC Form 471. It will include a step-by-step demonstration of filing the form and a Q&A session.
- Recommended for: Tribal E-rate Applicants
- E-rate Experience Level: All levels
To prepare for the webinar, we recommend that you review the E-rate Program’s website:
- Brand new to E-rate? Learn how to Get Started.
- Learn about FCC Form 471.
- Review the steps in the application process:
- Step 3: Applying for Discounts
- Follow the step-by-step guides offered in the instructional video series for FCC Form 471.
Recorded Trainings
Below is a list of two recorded training series for E-rate Program participants. Each series includes a frequently asked question (FAQ) session for Tribal applicants.
Virtual Information Series for Tribal Applicants (July/August 2020)
Program Overview for Tribal Schools and Libraries
July 29, 2020
Overview
In this session, USAC presents an overview of the E-rate Program. It covers general topics, such as the application process, the competitive bidding requirements, important program terms, eligibility, and program discounts. Additionally, it reviews specific items of interest to Tribal participants, including the Tribal designation box in the E-rate Productivity (EPC) entity profile, and State/Tribal matching funds.
Best Practices Shared by Tribal Schools (Community-Led Discussion)
August 5, 2020
Guest Moderator: Kara Bobroff, A Professional in Native Education
Overview
During this session, Tribal schools had the opportunity to discuss key E-rate topics, issues, challenges, and practical solutions. USAC provided a brief overview of the competitive bidding rules.
Best Practices Shared by Tribal Libraries (Community-Led Discussion)
August 6, 2020
Guest Moderator: Cindy Hohl, President, American Indian Library Association
Overview
During this session, Tribal libraries had the opportunity to discuss key topics, issues, challenges, and practical solutions with USAC and other program participants. USAC provided a brief overview of the competitive bidding rules.
FAQ Session for Tribal Schools and Libraries with the USAC E-rate Team
August 11, 2020
Overview
During this session, USAC answered the questions and concerns generated from the previous three sessions.
E-rate Training Series (November 2020)
November 4, 2020
Overview
Join USAC as we review Funding Year (FY) 2020 and look forward to FY2021. Subject matter experts provide updates on their specific E-rate Program areas and a view ahead.
- November 4, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we provide a high-level overview of the application process from beginning to end and explain basic program concepts for applicants and service providers.
E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) Demo
November 4, 2020
Overview
Join us for a walkthrough of the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC), the account and application management portal for the E-rate Program.
November 5, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we discuss the E-rate Pre-Commitment Process (getting started, competitive bidding, applying for discounts, and Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review).
November 5, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we discuss Category Two (C2) budgets. We provide an overview of C2 budgets and C2 budget guidance for FY2021.
Office Hour and Demo: FY2021+ Category Two Budget Tool
November 5, 2020
Overview
Join us for a walkthrough demonstration of the FY2021+ Category Two Budget Tool. We recommend that participants review the suggested online training materials in advance.
Prerequisites for this webinar – Review one or more of these items:
November 6, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we discuss the E-rate Post-Commitment Process and other post-commitment activities, including starting services, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), service substitutions, appeals, and more.
November 6, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we discuss the administrative window – the period during which applicants can make updates to their profile information in the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) to prepare for the upcoming FCC Form 471 application filing window.
November 6, 2020
Overview
During this webinar, we provide a basic overview of E-rate eligible services.
Post-Training FAQ Session for Tribal Applicants
November 10, 2020
Overview
During this session, USAC answered the questions and concerns generated from the nine-part E-rate Training Series.
Resources
- Ready to apply? See the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) page for more information.
- Subscribe to the weekly SL News Brief and the SL Tribal Training Newsletter to receive valuable deadline reminders, prompts for the monthly call, and training announcements.
- Visit the Videos page to watch step-by-step tutorials.
- Register for a webinar or watch a recording on our Webinars page.
- View the Tribal Training presentations archive.
- Visit the USAC Tribal Nations page.
- Are you a Tribally-owned service provider? See the service provider process for more information.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or comments, please contact USAC Tribal Liaison, Kraynal Alfred.
