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E-Rate 103:
Completing form 471
Funding Year 2008
July 1, 2008-June 30,
2009
2008-09 school year
Online filing
Training site: http://usactrain.solixinc.com
Actual online filing: http://www.sl.universalservice.org
Iowa information on e-rate
see http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/
Form 471--Who must file?
Who must file:
School/districts
Libraries
Consortia
Entity responsible for
paying bills to the service provider must file Form 471
Form 471--What is it?
This is the second step
in your e-rate application! (first step was form 470)
E-rate Timelines
Form
470 (Now-Dec 27)
Wait 28 days
Select provider/sign contract
Form
471 (Nov 7 - Feb 7)
Answer questions/call from
PIA (Feb-?)
Funding commitment decision
letter
Form
486
Form 471--Is it time for
me to file a 471?
Have you included each
service on a form 470?
If not, you must include
each service on a form 470
If yes, then00
Has 470 form(s) been posted
a FULL 28 days?
If not sure, check http://www.sl.universalservice.org under 00ile online00and 00earch posted00
to see the 00llowable contract date00/font>
If yes, then you can file
a form 471
If no, then wait until the
00llowable contract date00/font>
What if I find I made
an error on form 470?
If you have time (prior to
Dec 27), can simply file a new form 470
If after Dec 27 but prior
to close of window, you may be able to correct some errors
Check your form 470 receipt
notification letter for details on how you may correct errors
See sample letter at http://www.universalservice.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/sampleletters/470RNL.acc.pdf
Selection of service providers?
Question:
May we select a service provider/vendor
before the 28 days are up?
Answer:
NO! Do not make any commitment
on a service provider until the 28 days are up.
Sign a contract?
Question:
May we sign a contract after
the 28 days are up? (example: cell phone service)
Answer:
Yes, you may sign a contract
Contract MUST be signed
and dated by district/school/library before form 471 is submitted and
certified (which is before the window closes)
Be sure your district/school/library
signs and dates the contract!
What00 the form 471
application 00indow00for funding year 2007:
00indow00is November
7 through February 7)
What happens if we miss
the 00indow?00/font>
Your application will NOT
be funded!
Exception is that your certification
and item 21 do not have to be filed inside the 00indow.00/font>
Pam00 advice: Unless
absolutely necessary, get your cert done ASAP
Form 471: How many forms
should I file?
You may file more than
one Form 471, or you may file a single Form 471.
However, if you are filing
for internal connections or maintenance, file a separate 471
for these services.
Form 471: How do I get
started?
Plan to file online at http://www.sl.universalservice.org!
You can begin an application
online, save it, and finish it later.
Why file online?
Faster processing time (applicants
who file online get funding notification sooner!)
Prevents 00perator error00
Get ready for form 471
Locate the NCES code for your
District
Instructional buildings
There00 no NCES code for
non-instructional buildings
New buildings may not yet
have NCES codes
Codes can be found at
http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/erate
Get ready for form 471
Your district/library entity
number
The entity number of each
building in your district
The free/reduced eligibility
numbers
NCES numbers (see http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/erate)
Get ready for form 471
If your district/school/library
qualifies to use 00-certification,00either find the PIN OR register
to receive a PIN (if eligible)
Get ready for form 471
Each service provider00
name and SPIN number
Get ready for form 471
Make a chart
Chart template at
http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/erate
Form 471:
Preparing for Block 5
Get ready for form 471
You will need a detailed description
of services (online Item 21 attachment)
Description of service
MUST include eligible funding items!
Even if you use the online
item 21 attachment, you may get questions about detailed services
Get ready for form 471
Tech plan! What00 this
all about?
4 E-rate elements are in your
district/building CSIP
Fifth element must be developed
each year! (you will also use this information on your 471 form)
Do I really have a contract?
Most Iowa schools have MTM
(month-to-month) for local phone service, NOT a contract!
A phone bill is NOT a contract!
A contract for e-rate purposes
MUST have an authorized applicant signature AND date
If the amount of $s you request
for July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009 is higher than current bills, be prepared
to explain WHY the amount is higher
For example, rates are
increasing (service provider quote on rates for July 1, 2008)
For example, you are increasing
the amount of service (additional bandwidth/capacity, more phone lines,
etc.)
What if I will be requesting
more $s than current bill?
Form 471: Let00 get
started!
Counties in Iowa that
are urban
Black Hawk
Dallas
Dubuque
Johnson
Linn
Polk
Pottawattamie
Scott
Warren
Woodbury
Still with me?
Item 25d?
This info is the same as the
fifth element for tech plan
Item 25f?
Don00 check this box!!!!!
What next? Very important!
Certify (e-certify, if possible)
If not eligible to e-certify
Signed in BLUE
ink
Certification should
be postmarked by February 7, 2008
If sending in item 21 via
mail:
Number of the attachment
to match each 471 block 5 page (#1, #2, #3)
The 471 application number
on each and every page
What next? Very important!
Very important
471 application MUST be postmarked/submitted
by February 7
Item 21 attachments and certification
do not have to be postmarked/submitted by February 7.
Pam00 advice: E-certify
and do online item 21 at the same time you file 471
Very important
Your 471 form will NOT be reviewed until
Item 21 attachments are received by SLD
SLD--Form 471
3833 Greenway Drive
Lawrence, KS 66046
Telephone number for receipt
purposes: 1-888-203-8100
If you mail:
Mailing address for certification page and Item 21 attachments (get
a return receipt!!!)
What if I make an error
on form 471?
Some errors can be corrected
once receipt acknowledgment letter arrives (note: there00 a deadline
by which errors must be corrected)
See sample letter at http://www.universalservice.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/sampleletters/471RAL.pdf
Questions and Answers
Question:
How long must we retain
E-rate records/documents?
Answer:
Must retain records for
five years from the last date you receive E-rate services
Questions and Answers
Question:
It seems like we get a
lot of requests for more information from PIA? What are the rules on
responding?
Answer:
The standard response time
is 15 days.
You can always ask for an
extension, but it must be in writing!
If you need help, contact
me!
SLD Client Service Bureau:
1-888-203-8100
Pamela Pfitzenmaier:
1-515-669-8159
pam.pfitzenmaier@iowa.gov
For assistance:
download E-Rate 103: Completing form 471
