Announcements
February 19, 2026
SAM.gov Requirement for E-Rate Invoicing
Beginning August 2026, USAC will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payment for all Universal Service Fund (USF) requests for reimbursement. All E-Rate service providers and E-Rate applicants who use the FCC Form 472/BEAR invoicing method must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498 and register for an active SAM.gov account. You must have a valid bank account associated with your SAM.gov account. If you don’t already have a UEI or an active SAM.gov account, begin the process early because it can take six to eight weeks to verify the UEI and the SAM.gov account. For more information, see the SAM.gov Entity Registration webpage or the USAC SAM.gov UEI Requirement webpage. Please also note that you must renew your SAM.gov account on an annual basis. You will not be able to receive USF reimbursements if your SAM.gov account is inactive once the transition to SAM.gov for banking information goes live. As a reminder, USAC will also stop using and collecting banking information on the FCC Form 498 as part of this transition.
February 19, 2026
EPC Update for BMIC Selection
Due to the recent BMIC change in the 2026 Eligible Services List, applicants may file for certain services previously classified as BMIC under FCC Forms 470 for Internal Connections (IC). However, users may notice that the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) does not allow them to select a BMIC-only FCC Form 470 on a Category Two (C2) FCC Form 471 for IC. USAC will release a fix today (February 19, 2026, at 9 p.m.) that will resolve this issue. Applicants who already have a draft FCC Form 471 can continue to work on the draft they started. After the deployment, applicants will be able to return to their FCC Form 471 draft, select the proper FCC Form 470, and resume drafting the form. If you have already submitted an FCC Form 471 and want to change the FCC Form 470 you cited, submit a Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) Modification Request.
Use the RAL Modification Request to Update Certified FCC Form 471 Information
USAC issues an FCC Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) to both the applicant and service provider(s) in EPC after an FCC Form 471 application is certified. The letter contains many of the details submitted on the FCC Form 471 and provides a means to correct any errors or mistakes. If you were not able to make all the appropriate updates to your profile in EPC before the close of the EPC FCC Form 471 administrative window, you can provide updated profile information by filing a RAL Modification Request after submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 application(s), but before you receive funding commitment decision letter(s).
Applicants receive the RAL in their EPC News feed after certifying an FCC Form 471. The RAL modification function in EPC allows you to provide specific information in an organized format, which makes it easier for PIA reviewers to locate and understand the changes you want to make. Go to the Ministerial & Clerical Errors page to see the types of changes that are allowed and not allowed for the FCC Form 471. To learn how to submit modification requests for your FCC Form(s) 471, you can also view the FCC Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter Modification Guide.
February 19, 2026
FCC Form 470 Deadline Approaching
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 for FY2026 and still have time to wait the required minimum 28-day period before selecting a service provider and filing your FCC Form 471 before the application filing window closes on April 1. Go to the Competitive Bidding Infographic to learn about the steps in the competitive bidding process. View the How to File an FCC Form 470 learning module or the How to File the FCC Form 471 learning module, which guide users through all aspects of preparing, submitting, and certifying your forms.
February 19, 2026
E-Rate In-Person Trainings & Conferences
USAC is coming to an event near you in 2026. E-Rate experts will provide training, discuss program updates, and answer questions from new and experienced participants. USAC will announce when registration for these two in-person training events opens. Below are events that we will attend where we can answer your E-Rate questions.
E-Rate In-Person Trainings
- Phoenix, AZ: September 15, 2026
- Washington, DC: September 24, 2026
Conferences
- Computers in Libraries Conference 2026: March 17-19, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Event Link.
- Public Libraries Association (PLA) 2026 Conference: April 1-3, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Event Link.
- Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) 2026 Conference: April 13-15, 2026 in Chicago. Event Link.
February 19, 2026
Service Provider Webinar
The Service Provider Webinar will be on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. This webinar is for Service Providers who are new to the E-Rate program. After attending this webinar, you will be able to: accurately describe what E-Rate is and the different steps of the E-Rate process, obtain a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN), bid on projects, assist the applicant/beneficiary, certify compliance, and invoice USAC. Before attending this webinar, please review the E-Rate Program Overview webinar for a deeper understanding of the program. Register.
February 19, 2026
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review Process Webinar
The Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review Process Webinar will be on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. This webinar will provide E-Rate participants with an overview of the Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) FCC Form 471 review process, preparing for a PIA review, handling PIA inquiries, and funding commitment decision letters (FCDL). Register.
December 18, 2025
Funding Year (FY) 2026 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Opens January 21, 2026
The Funding Year (FY) 2026 FCC Form 471 application filing window will open on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at noon E.T. and will close on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. E.T.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FY2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FY2026 FCC Form 471 by April 1, 2026, the last date of the FY2026 application filing window.
All applicants can now review their EPC profiles and make additional updates for changes that occurred after USAC’s review of their FY2025 FCC Forms 471 (see E-Rate Tips above).
The EPC Administrative Window will close – and applicant profiles will be locked – on January 16, 2026 before the FY2026 application filing window opens January 21, 2026. View the EPC Administrative Window webinar recording and webinar slides to learn more.
December 18, 2025
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process Question & Answer (Q&A) Session
On February 19, 2026, from 2 pm to 3 p.m. ET, the E-Rate subject matter experts will answer questions about the competitive bidding process, Category Two budgets, and the Eligible Services List. Register.
This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels. Materials to review before the session include:
December 18, 2025
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. the E-Rate subject matter experts will discuss the E-Rate Pre-Commitment process. This includes how to get started, competitive bidding, applying for funding, and Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review. This webinar is intended for program participants of all levels and will include a question-and-answer session. Register.
December 18, 2025
Customer Service Center Holiday Hours
The Customer Service Center (CSC) provides customer service across USAC programs with specialized agents trained to answer your E-Rate program questions. At the end of December, CSC will be reducing its open hours around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
CSC will be open during its customary hours through Wednesday, December 24 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. E.T.) as well as Wednesday, December 31.
CSC’s holiday schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, December 25, 2025 – CLOSED
- Friday, December 26, 2025 – OPEN
- Monday, December 29, 2025 – OPEN
- Tuesday, December 30, 2025 – OPEN
- Wednesday, December 31, 2025 – OPEN
- Thursday, January 1, 2026 – CLOSED
CSC will resume its customary hours starting at 8 a.m. E.T. on Friday, January 2, 2026
December 18, 2025
New BEAR/SPI Selection Added to FY2026 E-Rate FCC Form 471 Application
The FY2026 FCC Form 471 was updated with a new field below the Narrative to collect the invoicing method (FCC Form 472/BEAR or FCC Form 474/SPI) for the Funding Request Number
(FRN) for each funding request. Pursuant to section 54.514(c) of the program rules, the applicant decides which method to use on a particular FRN: either the FCC Form 472/BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement) or the FCC Form 474/SPI (Service Provider Invoice). The Select an Invoicing Method in E-Rate infographic explains the invoicing methods. If you are copying an FRN from a previous funding year that does not have the invoicing method assigned, you will be prompted to select BEAR or SPI once it has been copied. The selected invoicing method will be displayed on the PDF copy of the FCC Form 471 and on the FRN Record in EPC.
Applicants should notify their service providers of the invoicing method early in the process of preparing the funding requests. Program participants will be able to request a different invoicing method prior to requesting reimbursement that will be available later in the year, but we encourage applicants to have these conversations early to reduce the need to file additional forms.
The FCC Form 471 was also updated to reflect the FY2026-2030 Category 2 Budget cycle. The Entity Details section on the Category Two screen now shows FY2026-2030 Category Two budget cycle data based on the latest entity profile information entered by applicants during the FY2026 EPC Administrative Window. The FCC Form 471 PDF copy for Category Two applications was updated to reflect this latest entity profile data for student counts (schools/school districts) and square footage (libraries/library systems) for the FY2026-2030 budget cycle.
December 18, 2025
FCC Releases FY2026 Eligible Services List
The FCC has released the Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year (FY) 2026 (DA-25-1069), released December 17, 2025. Appendix B contains the ESL.
December 1, 2025
FCC Seeks OMB Approval for Form Changes
The Office of Management and Budget posted a Federal Communications Commission notice in the Federal Register November 28, 2025 seeking comments on FCC Forms 479, FCC Form 486, and FCC Form 500 noting that the FCC Form 486 was revised to remove the eligibility of E-Rate support for off-premises use of wireless mobile internet services and the Wi-Fi hotspot devices needed to deliver the services. The Wi-Fi hotspots and service-related rules, including the certifications, were rescinded September 30, 2025, by Commission order FCC 25-62. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be submitted on or before December 29, 2025.
November 18, 2025
FCC Rescinds E-Rate Eligibility for School Bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspots
The FCC rescinded the eligibility of school bus Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, including the equipment needed to provide such service on school buses, in a Declaratory Ruling adopted September 30, 2025 (FCC 25-63). The eligibility decision applies beginning with FY2025 funding requests, and going forward, applicants will not be able to apply for Wi-Fi on school buses.
Pending FY2025 funding requests for school bus W-Fi will be denied. However, FY2024 funding requests are not impacted.
The FCC also made off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and internet services for those hotspots ineligible for E-Rate support in an Order on Reconsideration issued September 30, 2025 (FCC 25-62). Pending FY2025 funding requests for this equipment and services will be denied. Going forward, applicants will not be able to request funding for off-premises Wi-Fi equipment and services.
Due to the two Commission decisions, the WCB also released an amended FY2025 Eligible Services List (ESL) on September 30, 2025, removing the eligibility of services related to school bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi hotspots.
November 18, 2025
Fall Training: Eligible Services 101
On December 3, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T., USAC will review E-Rate eligible services. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. There are no prerequisites for this webinar. Register.
November 18, 2025
Fall Training: The EPC Administrative Window Webinar
On December 2, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. USAC will discuss the EPC Administrative Window – the period during which applicants can make updates to their EPC profile information to prepare for the upcoming FCC Form 471 application filing window. We will discuss how to update your EPC profile, and some Administrative Window best practices. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. Register.
November 18, 2025
Fall Training: E-Rate Post-Commitment Process Webinar
On November 25, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. USAC will discuss the applicant’s roles and responsibilities in the E-Rate Post-Commitment Process and other post-commitment activities, including filing the FCC Form 486, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), service substitutions, commitment adjustments, appeals, and more. After the presentation, there will be time for questions and answers. Register.
November 18, 2025
Fall Training: Category Two (C2) Budgets Webinar
On November 20, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T. In this applicant-focused presentation, USAC will provide an overview of C2 budgets and C2 budget guidance for the new FY2026-2030 C2 budget cycle. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. Register.
November 18, 2025
Fall Training: Invoicing Webinar
On November 19, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. E.T., USAC will help E-Rate program participants (applicants and service providers) understand the invoicing process. Topics for the invoicing webinar will include the steps necessary to prepare for invoicing, filing an FCC Form 498, filing invoicing forms FCC Form 472 (BEAR) and FCC Form 474 (SPI), the invoicing review process, Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC) as it relates to invoicing, record keeping, and Open Data. Register.
November 14, 2025
FCC Guidance on Extension of Filing Deadlines
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice (DA 25-937) on November 13, 2025, extending deadlines for all filings that would have been due from October 1 through November 17, 2025. The deadline for all such filings is now extended at least until Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The FCC and its bureaus will issue further guidance prior to November 18, 2025, that will provide additional flexibility on filing deadlines for certain specific systems, matters, and programs.
October 20, 2025
Resolved: Call Center Disruption
Thank you for your patience – this issue has been resolved. The phones for USAC’s Customer Service Center for E-Rate, Lifeline, High Cost, and Rural Health Care are currently experiencing disruptions. We are working to resolve the issue. If you need assistance, please contact USAC by email or create a ticket in EPC. We apologize for the inconvenience.
October 1, 2025
FY 2025 Eligible Service List Amended
Consistent with recent direction from the Commission, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released a Public Notice (DA 25-920) with an amended version of the funding year (FY) 2025 eligible services list (ESL). Â This amended version of the FY 2025 ESL supersedes the prior version and reflects changes stemming from two items adopted by the Federal Communications Commission on September 30, 2025. The Hotspots Order on Reconsideration rescinded the rules related to Wi-Fi hotspots, making the equipment and associated wireless Internet services ineligible for E-Rate support in FY 2025. Â Similarly, the 2025 School Bus Wi-Fi Declaratory Ruling found school bus Wi-Fi, or other similar access point technologies, including the equipment needed to provide such service, are ineligible for E-Rate support beginning in FY 2025.
FY 2026 Eligible Services List Public Notice
WCB also released a Public Notice (DA 25-921) on September 30, 2025 requesting comments on the proposed FY 2026 eligible services list (ESL). WCB proposes revisions on the classification of software-based services and licenses and seeks comments on managed internal broadband services (MIBS), basic maintenance of internal connections (BMIC), and the definitions of these services. Comments are due on or before October 15 and reply comments on or before October 30, 2025.
September 24, 2025
FY2025 FCC Form 486 Deadline Reminder
Generally, October 28, 2025 is also the deadline to file an FY2025 FCC Form 486 if your FCDL is dated on or before July 1, 2025 and your service start date is July 1, 2025. If these conditions apply to you, please submit and certify your FCC Form 486 on or before this deadline.
If your FCC Form 486 appears to be late, we will send you an FCC Form 486 Urgent Reminder Letter to remind you that the FCC Form 486 is due. The service start date you reported on your FCC Form 471 is used to determine when the letter is sent, so if your service start date has changed, your deadline may have changed as well.
This reminder letter is posted to your EPC News feed and is emailed to the contact person on the FCC Form 471. You have 15 days after the date of the reminder letter to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 without penalty.
Applicants whose services started after July 1, 2025, or whose FCDLs are dated after July 1, 2025 (including any that have not yet been issued), will have an FCC Form 486 deadline later than October 28, 2025. However, we encourage you to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 as soon as possible after services start for FY2025 and if you can accurately make all the certifications on the form.
The FRN Invoice Deadline Tool provides the ability to search, view, and download invoice-related data including the FCC Form 486 status and deadline date. View the training video to learn more about this tool.
September 24, 2025
FY2024 Invoicing Deadline Reminders for Recurring Services
In most cases, October 28, 2025 is the deadline to file an invoice or to request an invoice deadline extension (IDE) for most Funding Year (FY) 2024 recurring services Funding Request Numbers (FRNs). This invoice filing deadline applies to both applicant and service provider invoices – the FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form)) and the FCC Form 474 (Service Provider Invoice (SPI) and (eSPI)), respectively.
How To Request an Invoice Filing Deadline Extension for FRNs From FY2016 and Forward
Both applicants and service providers can request an invoice filing deadline extension in the ERate Productivity Center (EPC) by following the steps below. Remember that there is no penalty for requesting an invoice filing deadline extension and not using it.
Applicants:
- On your invoicing landing page, click the link to the billed entity record (the name in the Welcome! link near the top of the page or the first entry under the My Entities section).
- Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.
Service Providers:
- From the Records tab at the top of any EPC page, click the Service Providers option.
- Use the Search function to locate your service provider record.
- Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.
You can use the E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+ to find the invoicing filing deadline by searching for the FRN(s) and looking in the “Last Date to Invoice” column.
September 24, 2025
EPC Administrative Window Opens October 15, 2025
The EPC administrative window is the period during which applicants can make updates to their profile information including student counts, National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation rates, library square footage, and the entities and individuals associated with your entity including consulting firms, in EPC to prepare for the upcoming FY2026 FCC Form 471 application filing window. Applicants and service providers should also review EPC account permissions and make updates as needed (see article below). The administrative window will open Wednesday, October 15, 2025 and will close shortly before the FY2026 application filing window opens in early 2026. After this time, applicant profiles will be locked, and you will not be able to make changes to your profile information. FY2026 will be the first year of the FY2026-2030 Category Two (C2) budget cycle so applicants should update their student counts or library square footage as needed. The information in your EPC profile will be used to calculate a forecasted C2 budget for the FY2026-2030 cycle. Go to the EPC Administrative Window page for detailed information on updating entity profiles and join our October 21 Administrative Window webinar to learn more.