Upcoming Dates
Winter Deferral Period Starts December 19, 2025
January 2, 2026
Many E-Rate program participants are unavailable during the winter holiday season, and USAC recognizes that participants may need additional time to respond to requests for information. Winter deferral extends from the Friday before Christmas Day through the Friday following New Year’s Day.
During the winter deferral period – Friday, December 19, 2025 through Friday, January 2, 2026 – USAC will only continue reviews of forms and requests where documentation was received or where participants respond to information requests sent in EPC.
If USAC does not receive a response during this period, the form or request will be placed in a deferred status until January 2, 2026. However, we will be reviewing applications during the winter deferral period, if you have answers to our questions. For those of you who can respond to our questions, please do so. This will allow us to continue reviewing applications and issue funding decisions more quickly.
January 16, 2026
EPC Admin Window Closes
EPC Administrative Window closes and applicant profiles will be locked – on January 16, 2026
January 21, 2026
Funding Year 2026 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Opens
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 FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FY 2026 FCC Form 471 by April 1, 2026, the last date of the FY 2026 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 FY 2025 FCC Forms 471. The EPC Administrative Window will close – and the applicant profiles will be locked – on January 16, 2026, before the FY 2026 application filing window opens January 21, 2026. View the EPC Administrative Window webinar recording and webinar slides to learn more.
January 22, 2026
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.
January 28, 2026
FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Non-Recurring Services
Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by January 28, 2026, for FY2024 non-recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025, invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension.
February 19, 2026
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: Question & Answer (Q&A) Session
On Thursday, 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:
- E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process Webinar
- Filing the FCC Form 470 and the Competitive Bidding Process Webinar
- FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Table (FY2025-2026)
February 25, 2026
FY2024 Invoicing Deadline for Recurring Services
Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by February 25, 2026 for FY2024 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2025 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension.
March 4, 2026
Last Day to File the FY2026 FCC Form 470
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the last day that you can submit and certify an FY 2026 FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period.
April 1, 2026
Funding Year 2026 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Closes
The Funding Year (FY) 2026 FCC Form 471 application filing window will close on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. E.T.