Schools and Libraries

Help and FAQs

Ministerial & Clerical Corrections

Ministerial and clerical errors are (1) minor mistakes that occur when completing Forms 470 and 471, and (2) missing or late certifications.  Upon notification from USAC, applicants have 15 days to submit allowable corrections without posting a new Form 470 or filing a new Form 471.

Not all errors are ministerial or clerical in nature.  Please consult the List of Ministerial and Clerical Errors [PDF, 50KB] before submitting corrections. Ministerial and clerical errors are minor data entry errors that can be corrected without violating FCC or program rules.

Missing or Late Certifications

Applicants that failed to submit their certification in-window or submitted their certification without a signature and/or date may submit a certification as long as

  • The form was completed and submitted within the window; and
  • The certification is submitted within 15 days of USAC’s notification that your form was not certified.

Do not certify your form online once you have been notified by USAC that your form was not certified. Instead, send USAC a paper certification in response to USAC’s notification that your certification was not received.

Submitting Corrections

You will be notified as follows:

You should use the RNL and RAL to submit your allowable corrections.

You have 15 days to submit your corrections. Although it is possible that USAC can accommodate requests submitted after that date, applicants are encouraged to submit corrections as soon as possible.

Can I increase the amount of my funding request?

Yes, this is one of the allowable corrections. Remember, though, that USAC will review your funding request, so have your backup documentation available to answer any questions by PIA.

Can I increase my discount?

Yes, this is one of the allowable corrections. Remember, though, that USAC will review your discount calculations, so have your backup documentation available to answer any questions by PIA.

If I can change my Contract Award Date, can I change the Contract Expiration Date?

No, modifying the Contract Expiration Date is not an allowable correction.

Can I add entities to my Block 4 Worksheet?

Yes, this is an allowable correction.  We expect that you will only need to add a few entities.  If you find that you need to add a substantial number of entities (more than five) to your Block 4, we recommend that you file a new Form 470.  Remember that the Two-in-Five Rule will affect individual recipients of approved discounts.

Can I add a new Category of Service to my Form 470?

No, this is not an allowable correction.  You must post a new Form 470 to add Categories of Service.

How will I know when USAC has processed my request?

USAC will inform you that your request has been processed in your Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) comment.

If I notice that I have a non-allowable correction to my Form 471 and the window has closed, can I file a new Form 471?

No, you may only submit a new Form 471 during the filing window.  If you file a Form 471 after the window has closed, it will be treated as filed Outside of Window.  All applications filed within the filing window must be funded before applications filed Outside of Window can be reviewed.

USAC contacted me because my Form 470 did not meet Minimum Processing Standards and I then corrected the error.  Does my 28-day posting clock start when I first submitted the Form 470 or when USAC makes the correction?

The 28-day posting requirement begins when USAC makes the data entry correction and then posts the Form 470 to our website.

Can I submit corrections to prior funding years for which I have received an FCDL? 

No, you cannot submit these corrections.
Last modified on 2/26/2008