<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=Windows-1252">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:normal;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
color:windowtext;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
line-height:11.25pt;
font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";
color:#333333;}
p.MsoAcetate, li.MsoAcetate, div.MsoAcetate
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
line-height:normal;
font-size:8.0pt;
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle19
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";
color:black;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
span.BalloonTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Balloon Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Balloon Text";
font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:791049506;
mso-list-template-ids:-80053344;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:1042942991;
mso-list-template-ids:-1649500354;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:1167751980;
mso-list-template-ids:1053738498;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">Hi All,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">There are a few very important tips in the below update from USAC (the administrator of eRate) that I wanted to make sure you saw:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";font-weight:normal">FY2015 Forms 470 and 471 must be filed online</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">.</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">
<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";font-weight:normal">For FY2015,</span></strong><strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">
</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">there is no longer an "Item 21 Attachment" submitted separately.<strong><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">
</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";font-weight:normal">The funding request details for costs and services are entered directly into the online FCC Form 471.</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">Their system has not yet been updated to provide eligible libraries with a Category Two pre-discount budget of $5.00 per square foot (instead of $2.30 per square foot) over five years.
The system is anticipated to be updated by February 2, 2015<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";font-weight:normal">Do not file Category One and Category Two services on the same 471 application.</span></strong><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></b></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">There are a lot more helpful tips below. My number one piece of advice is even if you are able to file a 471 today, it’s in your best interest to wait
just a bit longer—maybe two weeks. I’ve been advised by my counterparts in other states that the site has a few kinks to be worked out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">I hope this is helpful! Remember the last day to file a Form 470 is February 26<sup>th</sup>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62"><img width="120" height="126" id="Picture_x0020_11" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D03018.26F45700"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Mandy Knapp<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Library Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">274 E. 1<sup>st</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Columbus, OH 43201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Tel: 614-466-1710<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Toll Free:800-686-1532 (Ohio Only)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Fax: 614-466-3584<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><a href="http://library.ohio.gov"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">library.ohio.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StateLibraryOhio"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="30" height="30" id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:image002.png@01D03018.26F45700"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black">
</span></i></b><a href="http://twitter.com/statelibohio" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.png@01D03018.26F45700" alt="Description: Twitter logo - links to the State Library of Ohio's Twitter page"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"> </span></i></b><a href="http://library.ohio.gov/blog/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D03018.26F45700" alt="Description: Blog logo - Links to the State Library of Ohio's blog"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"> </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"> </span></b><a href="http://pinterest.com/stlibohio/"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image005.png@01D03018.26F45700"></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;color:black"><br>
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:black"><a href="http://library.ohio.gov/state-librarian/share-your-story"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif"">Share Your Story</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">
by </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">telling us how a
<br>
State Library service or resource helped <br>
you or your library.</span><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif""> SL News Brief [mailto:SLNewsBrief@lists.universalservice.org]
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 14, 2015 1:42 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Knapp, Mandy<br>
<b>Subject:</b> USAC’s Schools and Libraries News Brief SPECIAL EDITION - FY2015 Filing Window Opens<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:11.25pt"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#888888"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:11.25pt"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#888888"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="700" style="width:420.0pt;background:white;border:solid #D5D5D5 1.0pt;border-top:none">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.usac.org/_res/images/campaign-images/newsletters/usac/usac-connection.jpg" alt="header"><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.usac.org"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1026" src="http://www.usac.org/_res/images/campaign-images/banners/sl/SLNewsBriefSpEdition_700x131.jpg" alt="header"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border:none;padding:11.25pt 22.5pt 7.5pt 22.5pt">
<p align="right" style="text-align:right;font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">
<strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">January 14, 2015</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">FY2015 Window Opens Today</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">The FY2015 application filing window for the FCC Form 471 opens at noon EST today and closes at 11:59:59 pm EDT on Thursday, March
26, 2015. The window will be open for 72 days.</span></strong><span style="color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Helpful Tips and Reminders</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">File early</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> to be sure that you meet program deadlines and have time to correct errors or file a new form
if needed.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">FY2015 FCC Forms 470 and 471 must now be filed online.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> Certifications can either be filed online or on
paper; however, we recommend online if possible.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1;font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">For FY2015, the funding request details for costs and services are entered directly into the online FCC Form 471.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">
There is no longer an "Item 21 Attachment" submitted separately from the form.<o:p></o:p></span>
<div></div>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Retain all documents
</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">to be able to demonstrate compliance with program rules.<o:p></o:p></span>
<div></div>
</li></ul>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Review program guidance materials</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> – such as the
<a href="http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/ESL_archive/EligibleServicesList-2014.pdf">
FY2015 Eligible Services List</a> and the guidance materials in the <a href="http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/default.aspx">
Applicant Steps</a> on the USAC website – so that you are aware of program rules.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Ask for assistance</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> if you need it (see below).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">IMPORTANT DATES FOR FY2015</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">February 26, 2015</span></strong> – This is the last POSSIBLE date to post an FCC Form 470 on USAC’s website, meet the 28-day posting requirement
for the competitive bidding process, and submit an FCC Form 471 on the filing window closing date.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">March 26, 2015</span></strong> – The FY2015 application filing window will close at 11:59:59 pm EDT. For your FCC Form 471 to be considered as filed
within the filing window, it must be submitted online no later than the filing window closing date.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">We encourage you to certify your FCC Forms 470 and 471 immediately after you submit them. The online system gives you both electronic and paper certification options on the screen following the submission
screen.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">TIPS FOR FILING THE FCC FORM 471 ONLINE</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">For FY2015, the online form is divided into four sections: Basic Information (corresponding to the former "Block 1"), Discount Calculation ("Block 4"), Funding Requests ("Block 5"), and Certifications &
Signature ("Block 6"). The flow of the form and the information provided is similar to that from last year. However, remember that the Item 21 information is now entered directly in the form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">We will be providing additional tips and guidance during the coming days and weeks. However, following are important tips to know before you start to file you application:<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Use a compatible browser.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> If you are using a Windows Operating System computer, please use Internet Explorer
versions 9 or 10 or the most current version of Firefox or Chrome to file an FCC Form 471. If you are using a Mac, we suggest using the most current version of Safari.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Category Two budget calculation for certain libraries.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> Our system has not yet been updated to provide libraries
with IMLS Locale Codes of 11, 12, and 21 a Category Two pre-discount budget of $5.00 per square foot (instead of $2.30 per square foot) over five years. We expect to have our system updated by February 2, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Whenever there is an Enter button to the right of a field, click that button after you make your entry in that field.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">
The system will then look up and verify your entry.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Remember that you cannot file Category One and Category Two services on the same application.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> You must
choose the category of services before you start the Discount Calculation section of the form.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">If you are uploading templates (Discount Calculation and/or Funding Requests), check your connection speed.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">
Slow connections may result in timeouts if your files are large.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Data entry in the Discount Calculation section.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> To enter your first entity in this section, click the plus
sign (+).<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Discount calculations for Voice Services.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> You will see a lower discount for your Voice Services. Remember
that Voice Services are subject to a phase down of 20 percentage points a year starting with FY2015.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">FCC Form 470 exemption for certain Internet access.</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""> There is an exemption from filing an FCC Form 470 if
you select certain commercially available business-class Internet access services. (See the
<a href="http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/preview.aspx?id=574">November 7, 2014 SL News Brief</a> for the specific requirements that these services must meet to qualify for the exemption.) However, the form may allow you to enter services that don't
meet all of the requirements. Review the requirements carefully before deciding not to post an FCC Form 470.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2;font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">For each funding request (Funding Request Number or FRN), check to be sure you have cited the correct FCC Form 470</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">
– that is, the establishing FCC Form 470 that formed the basis for the competitive bidding process that led to the services featured on that specific funding request.<o:p></o:p></span>
<div></div>
</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">For the necessary resources certification, the amount the applicant provides for "Total budgeted amount allocated to resources not eligible for E-rate support" defaults to zero ("0").</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">
If zero is not the correct response, be sure to provide this total budgeted amount when completing the certification.<o:p></o:p></span>
<div></div>
</li></ul>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Ask for assistance</span></strong>. If you have questions, please contact our Client Service Bureau. In addition to program information, they can
provide information on the status of your forms.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Call us toll-free at 1-888-203-8100</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx">Submit a Question</a> by email</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3">
<strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Fax us toll-free at 1-888-276-8736</span></strong><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</div>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">Thank you for your participation in the E-rate program. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="display:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div align="center">
<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:5.0in">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="padding:6.0pt 7.5pt 7.5pt 7.5pt">
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#888888"> You are subscribed as <a href="mailto:aknapp@library.ohio.gov">aknapp@library.ohio.gov</a> to the SL News Brief.<br>
To subscribe, click here: <a href="http://www.usac.org/about/tools/publications/subscription-center.aspx">
Subscribe</a><br>
To unsubscribe, click here: <a href="http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/unsubscribe.aspx">
Unsubscribe</a><br>
Please do not reply to this email, instead, <a href="http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx">
Submit a Question</a> or call 1 (888) 203-8100.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="color:#888888">©1997-2015, Universal Service Administrative Company, All Rights Reserved.<br>
USAC | 2000 L Street NW | Suite 200 | Washington, DC 20036</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="1" height="1" id="_x0000_i1027" src="http://lists.universalservice.org/db/2312671/1709471/1.gif"><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>