**** 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