E-Rate applicants cannot receive any E-Rate funding without (1) a Form 470 to launch the competitive bidding process for an eligible product or service followed by (2) a Form 471 filed no earlier than 28 days later to request E-Rate discounts to offset a portion of the costs for that product or service.

The last day you can file a Form 470 and still be able to file a Form 471 before the filing window closes is February 25. Do not wait until the last minute! Allow yourself as much time as possible after the 28 day waiting period to file your Form 471.