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Year 2012 Information

 

 

Funding Year Timeline

Discounts begin July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013.

Scroll down to download Free and Reduced School Lunch data for this year as well as instructions for filing a Form 471 and Item 21.

 

The window opens on January 9, 2012. The new 470 form is available to start this process as of now. The window will close on March 20th, 2012 at 11:59 pm EST.  This is the last possible day that a Form 471 can be received by USAC or postmarked and still be considered as filed within the window.  The filing window will be open for 73 days.  The last day you can file a Form 470 and still have 28 days before the close of the window is February 21st.

  You can contact Jay Peterson at the State Library at any time to discuss your questions regarding E-rate.

Helpful Hints to keep in mind as you begin the process:

1.  File early:  Over half of the Forms 471 for a funding year are filed in the last week of the filing window. When you are in a hurry to fill out an application in time to meet a receipt of, or postmark deadline, it is very easy to overlook crucial information that may slow down the review of your application. 

2.  File online:  The online filing system for Form 470 and Form 471 has been built to alert applicants to common errors or possible inconsistencies in the data you provide as you are filling out your forms. You should use the full form version of this software, NOT the "interview" method since you risk loosing your form half finished. 

     Make sure to temporarily allow pop-ups in your Internet browser when you are filing online, as many of these are built-in reminders and error messages. The online system also delivers your form to USAC quickly and completely and allows you to print a copy of your form. You can also start a form online, save your work, and come back to finish it later.

3.  Certify online:  USACs Personal Identification Number (PIN) system will automatically issue a PIN to the authorized person filing a paper form if you do not already have one.  That PIN can be used on any subsequent program form. This means that, if you are filing via paper your first Form 470, you will have a PIN in time to certify your associated Form 471. 

      You must get a PIN related to you. You can not use a pin related to someone else to certify if that person no longer works at your location. The PIN must be attached to a PERSON and not the library in a generic sense.  If you have started work at another library and had an E-rate pin from a previous job you will have to get a new Pin for your new location. You will receive a confirmation number as verification of your certification that you must right down.

4.  Holding on to paperwork  The Federal government will require that you hold on to 5 years worth of E-rate paperwork.  Make sure you keep EVERY thing you get regarding E-rate.  All forms from E-rate, paper copies of all forms you fill out for the E-rate process, every email that you get regarding bids for services (even for bids that you don't take) should be printed up and saved in a folder or binder for five years.   We recommend that you hold on to at least 6 years worth of material just to be safe!  When in doubt don't throw it out! 


Available Downloads
  • FSCS codes for Public Libraries in Iowa

    You may be asked for your FSCS code for your library to fill out your E-rate Form 471. This form is the same as your username for the Public Library Annual Survey. All FSCS codes for Iowa public libraries are included in this spreadsheet.

  • Free and Reduced School Lunch data by District total 2012

    Here is a spreadsheet containing the Free and Reduced lunch totals for Iowa Public Schools for this year. It is password protected for student privacy. Please do not post or share this spreadsheet outside your library. If you have trouble accessing it, contact jay.peterson@lib.state.ia.us.

  • Instructions for completing Form 471 and Item 21

    These instructions are for filling in the School and Lunch data in an incomplete Form 471 and the next steps to completely submit a Form 471. It also contains instructions on how to submit your Item 21 for after you complete your Form 471.

Related Sites
  • FCC Registration Number Search Page

    The Form 471 is now asking that you provide your FCC Registration Number. You can find this number on your Funding Commitment Decision Letter from previous years. You can also find this number at this link. If you can't find a number or are registering for E-rate the first time you can apply for a new number. This is a quick process. Follow the registration form guide and you will get an instant FCC RN! NOTE: If you want to fill out a FORM 471 but don’t know your FCC number you can trick the form into letting you get past block 1 by putting in a ten (10) digit number IE: 1234567890 as a place holder until you find or are given your proper FCC number.

  • Iowa Deptartment of Education Free and Reduced Lunch Data 2011-12

    This is a link to the National School Lunch Program Free and Reduced Lunch Data for the year 2011-12 from the Department of Education. This is the official third party data that can be used to verify your discount rate for the purposes of E-rate.

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Jay Peterson — last modified Apr 05, 2012 10:40 AM