Announcements
June 28, 2024
Request a Service Delivery Deadline Extension by June 30, 2024
To be eligible for E-Rate program discounts for special construction charges, special construction must be completed in time for the fiber to be lit or to be in use by the end of the relevant funding year (i.e., June 30, 2024 for FY2023). This applies to leased lit fiber, leased dark fiber, or a self-provisioned network involving another technology. If this June 30 deadline is not met and you have not received an extension, the special construction charges will not be eligible for support under program rules and a waiver will be needed from the FCC.
If you sought support for special construction related to leased lit fiber, leased dark fiber, or self-provisioned networks for FY2023, you may request a one-year extension of the June 30 deadline by demonstrating that construction was unavoidably delayed due to weather or other reasons, or by the late issuance of an FCDL. You must demonstrate that the reason or reasons have unavoidably delayed special construction in a manner that prevents the fiber from being lit (or a self-provisioned network using another technology to be in use) by the June 30 deadline.
Applicants must file an FCC Form 500 by June 30, 2024 to request this one-year extension. Go to FAQS: Eligible Fiber Services for additional information regarding deadlines and extensions in relation to non-recurring special construction charges.
If you have not received your FCDL and you need to request an extension of this deadline, file a customer service case in EPC and attach a completed FY2022 Special Construction Deadline Extension Request (SCDER) to the case on or before June 30, 2024.
If you need assistance, you can open a customer service case in EPC or call the Customer Service Center at (888) 203-8100.
June 21, 2024
June Infrastructure Maintenance
Maintenance will begin at 6 PM on Friday, June 21 and end by 11:30 AM on Saturday, June 22.
June 17, 2024
Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program
On June 11, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order establishing the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries. The Pilot Program aims to address cybersecurity threats facing schools and libraries, including being targeted by malicious actors who seek to steal personal information, compromise online accounts, cause online harm or embarrassment, or otherwise disable/disrupt critical networks that provide broadband connectivity. To learn more about the Pilot Program, including its timeline and trainings, visit USAC’s Cybersecurity Pilot web page and sign up for Pilot Program emails. Interested applicants can also visit the FCC’s Cybersecurity web page.
June 12, 2024
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: June 16-17
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, June 17 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
May 30, 2024
Beginning E-Rate Services Webinar: June 20 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET).
This session gives applicants and service providers a high-level overview of the next steps in the E-Rate process after equipment and services are funded. Register.
May 13, 2024
American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference
Visit USAC at the American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference June 27-July 2, 2024, Booth #2926, in San Diego. Event Link.
April 23, 2024
2024 In-Person Training Registration Opens
E-Rate experts will provide training and discuss program updates. There will be time at the end of the sessions for USAC to answer questions from both new and experienced participants.
Registration will open on April 23 at 3 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Register for a training by selecting a link below when registration opens.
- E-Rate Training: September 17, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time in Dallas, Texas. Register.
- E-Rate Training: October 7, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time in Washington, D.C. Register.
- E-Rate Training: October 29, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Register.
March 29, 2024
RESOLVED: USAC Systems Experiencing Intermittent Connectivity Issues
Several USAC systems are experiencing intermittent connectivity issues. Our team is working to resolve the issues. We apologize for the inconvenience.
March 25, 2024
Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) 2024 Conference April 8-10, 2024
Visit USAC at the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) 2024 Conference April 8-10, 2024 in Miami, Florida (Booth). Event Link
March 20, 2024
Public Library Association (PLA) 2024 Conference April 3-5, 2024
Visit USAC at the Public Library Association (PLA) 2024 Conference April 3-5, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio (Booth 1022). Event Link
March 13, 2024
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review and Selective Review Process Webinar
USAC will host a Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review and Selective Review Process Webinar, April 18, 2024 at 2 p.m. This webinar will provide E-Rate participants with an overview of the Program Integrity Assurance (PIA), Selective Review and the funding decision processes. Register to participate.
February 21, 2024
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: March 15-16
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Friday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Saturday, March 16 at 12:00 p.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
February 20, 2024
E-Rate Customer Service Extends Additional Hours
The Customer Service Center (CSC) has added additional hours to support applicants in advance of the close of the FY2024 FCC Form 471 application filing window. The application filing window will close Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
The extended hours for the CSC are as follows:
- Saturday, March 23 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, March 24 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, March 25 – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 26 – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 27 – 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
February 5, 2024
USAC One Portal Maintenance – February 9
USAC will perform system updates on One Portal on Friday, February 9 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
During this time all applications within One Portal will be inaccessible, including E-File, the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), the National Lifeline Accountability Database (NLAD), Rural Health Care’s My Portal and RHC Connect, the High Cost Universal Broadband (HUBB) portal, and several additional smaller-usage applications. The National Verifier WILL NOT be affected during this system update.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
January 29, 2024
Certify FCC Form 470 Deadline: February 28
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 is the last day that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 and still wait the required 28 days before submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 by March 27, 2024, the last date of the FY2024 FCC Form 471 application filing window.
January 29, 2024
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Question and Answer Session
This webinar event is designed as a question-and-answer session. Participants should review the prerequisite materials prior to the webinar and come with questions for the subject matter experts. We will have subject matter experts to answer questions about the competitive bidding process and filing FCC Form 471. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels.
Register to participate.
Materials to review before the training include: