**** Note that the below information only applies to entities that filed
their own E-Rate FY2016 Form 471. If you only participate in E-Rate as a
member of the Networkmaine Consortium and do not file for any additional
E-Rate funding, then you do not need to complete these steps. ****


*Upcoming E-Rate deadlines:*


*1. Last Year Wrap-Up (FY2015)*

   - File any outstanding *BEARs *to request reimbursement for bills paid
   for 2015-2016 products and services. BEARs continue to be filed in the same
   BEAR Applicant Login Area (https://www2.sl.universalserv
   ice.org/bear/login.aspx)

*          Deadline: October 28, 2016*


   - Remember that you must have first filed a *Form 498 *in EPC to provide
   banking information for direct deposit of reimbursements. After this form
   is processed, USAC will issue you a 498 ID to include on your BEAR forms.



*2. Current Year (FY2016)*

*If you have received a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) for an
FY2016 FRN:*

   - File a *Form 486 *in EPC to indicate the start of FY2016 services.


*Deadline:*
*          October 29, 2016 if your FCDL is dated July 1 or earlier*
*          or*

*          120 days after the date of the FCDL if dated after July 1*

   - If you do not already have one filed, file a *Form 498* in EPC to
   provide banking information for direct deposit of reimbursements. After
   this form is processed, USAC will issue you a 498 ID to include on your
   BEAR forms.

*          NOTE: *You only need to file one Form 498 for the organization.
If you filed one to use for FY2015, you can use the same 498 ID for FY2016.


   - After both the Form 486 and the Form 498 are filed, you can file *BEARs
   *to request reimbursement against bills paid for 2016-2017 products and
   services. BEARs continue to be filed in the same BEAR Applicant Login Area (
   https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx
   <https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx>)

          *Deadline: **October 28, 2017*

*If you have not yet received an FCDL:*

   - Address any PIA questions as they are issued in EPC.


   - Wait for a funding decision. Remember that your FCDL will be issued in
   EPC. You will not receive a paper FCDL in the mail.



*Follow this link for resources on how to complete these forms:*
http://networkmaine.net/erate/track/track.htm

_____________________________________________

Anne Perloff
Maine State E-Rate Coordinator for Schools
Networkmaine ... a unit of the University of Maine System

Web: www.networkmaine.net/erate/

Email: [log in to unmask]

Phone: 207-561-3584

Fax: 207-561-3531

Mail:
Networkmaine
5752 Neville Hall, Rm 255
Orono, ME 04469-5752