<div dir="ltr"><div>Greetings,</div><div><br></div><div>Congratulations to the 49 libraries and library systems that were funded in the first wave of FY26 E-Rate applications!</div><div><br></div><div>Lorrie Germann has some timely notes for those folks--and for folks who have not yet had their applications funded--in the email below.</div><div><br></div><div>Questions? As always, you can <a href="https://support.oplin.org">contact OPLIN</a>!</div><div><br></div><div>Best wishes,</div><div><br></div><div>Christine</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>--</div><div>Christine Morris (she/her)<br></div><div>Digital Resources Manager<br></div><div>Ohio Public Library Information Network</div><div><a href="mailto:christine@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">christine@oplin.ohio.gov</a></div><div>614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)</div><div>614-728-0227 (direct)<br></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Lorrie Germann</b> <span dir="auto"><e-rate@ohio-k12.help></span><br>Subject: The First Wave of E-Rate Funding Letters for FY 2026 Has Been Released!</div><br><br><div class="msg3374801734879818700">
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Good afternoon E-Rate Community,<br><br>
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USAC has released the first wave of funding letters for FY2026!<br><br>
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Congratulations to the following 896 Ohio schools and libraries (1182 separate FRNs), committing $27,395,485.00. This wave includes commitments for both Category 1 and Category 2 requests. To see the list of the funded applicants and a more detailed analysis of this funding wave, click on <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiZjE0MjZhMjY3YzRmIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">FY2026 Wave 1 FCDLs.xlsx</a>. If you are included on this list, your Form 471 contact and EPC Account Administrator (AA) would have received an email on Saturday with a .pdf of the FCDL(s) attached. Please review the FCDL carefully to make sure you agree with USAC’s decision. You can then file the Form 486 and contact your vendors to request discounted billing if you so desire. A FCDL User-Guide is available at: <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiYjk4M2UyMWNjNDBhIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">FCDL-Guide-FY-2026</a>.<br><br>
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<span style="color:#000000"><b>If you were NOT included in this wave, do not worry! It just means that your application hasn’t yet been reviewed/decided.</b></span> Be watching for an email for notification that your PIA questions are available in EPC. As soon as the questions are answered, you’ll likely be in an upcoming funding wave. A funding wave will be released each week until all applications have been decided. <br><br>
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<b>A few notes:</b><br><br>
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— The next step is to file the Form 486 in EPC. If you file the 486 before July 31, check the Early Filing box on the form. Also, please be careful to check the correct CIPA certifications on the final page (don’t get click-happy!). To access the 486 Guide, click on <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiOTk4ODE0OGQyMTdkIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">How to File a Form 486 - FY2026</a>.<br><br>
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— If your FRN was modified or denied, the last page of your FCDL will explain why the funding request was modified. If you do not agree with the modification or the denial, please consider submitting an appeal to USAC within 60 days of the FCDL date. If you’re unsure whether to appeal, please let me know, and I can provide guidance. <br><br>
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— The FCDLs are attached to the award e-mail notice and are in a .pdf format. All EPC users in the organization’s EPC account can download a copy on their EPC Landing Page under Notifications.<br><br>
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— If you were funded for internal connections equipment, please review the <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiYzBjMjBhMTBlZWM3IixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Category 2 Purchasing Guide</a> to learn what information you may want to include on the PO and what your requirements are for asset inventories, etc.<br><br>
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Hope this helps, but if you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact me.<br><br>
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Sincerely,<br><br>
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Lorrie<br><br>
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State E-Rate Coordinator<br>On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education<br><a href="mailto:lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov" target="_blank">lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov</a><br>www.ohio-k12.help/erate<br><span><b>Office:</b> 740-223-2420</span><br><b>Cell:</b> 740-253-1153
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