Last minute E-Rate tips

Here are a few tips from Linda Schatz to maintain your sanity for these last few hours of the window today and tomorrow.

1. After you submit your application online, I would recommend that you go to:
• “Apply Online”
• Under Form 471, click “Display”
• After entering your security numbers, etc., you’ll be taken to a page that precedes Block 1 of the application. PRINT THAT PAGE FOR YOUR FILES! That page will indicate the “the “certified in-window status (if you had a PIN and signed electronically). The important thing is that information will be displayed along with the browser date at the bottom proving that now, before the window closed, that your form was filed and certified (if so indicated).
• If you did not have a PIN and you had to submit a paper Block 6 certification, that same page will note a “complete” (but not certified) status and it is still important to have that proof on a date prior to the close of the window (based on the browser date at the bottom of the page.)
• If you had to file a paper Block 6, keep checking back and print a copy of this page for your records as soon as the status changes to “certified” once the Client Service Bureau has data entered your Block 6.


2. The items that must be “postmarked” before the close of the window are:
• The Form 470 certification (this is often overlooked)
• The Form 471
• The Form 471 certification
  

(Yes, I know that Bishop Perry offers a little certification relief but PLEASE don’t rely on that. Make sure you get everything postmarked by the close of the window at 11:59 EST tomorrow!)





Item 21’s are not required to be submitted or postmarked before the close of the window but PIA will not review your application without them so do them as soon as possible.




3. If you file anything manually, make sure you have PROOF OF POSTMARK! Dropping something off at the Fed Ex drop box or UPS drop location is not sufficient. You must have proof that your submission is in their “system” (i.e. “postmarked” ) before the window close.



4. Track your Fed. Ex., UPS, or USPS delivery and make sure you print out the actual delivery proof for anything you file manually. Take this copy and put it in your E-rate files. These documents are only kept online for so long (it varies from company to company), and these can be critical documents in any appeal situation.



5. And, last but not least, take a deep breath or a sigh of relief and get ready for PIA!!!

Good luck, everybody.