[OPLINTECH] Fwd: The First Wave of E-Rate Funding Letters for FY 2026 Has Been Released!

[Christine Morris]

Greetings,

Congratulations to the 49 libraries and library systems that were funded in
the first wave of FY26 E-Rate applications!

Lorrie Germann has some timely notes for those folks--and for folks who
have not yet had their applications funded--in the email below.

Questions? As always, you can contact OPLIN <https://support.oplin.org>!

Best wishes,

Christine
--
Christine Morris (she/her)
Digital Resources Manager
Ohio Public Library Information Network
christine at oplin.ohio.gov
614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)
614-728-0227 (direct)


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lorrie Germann <e-rate at ohio-k12.help>
Subject: The First Wave of E-Rate Funding Letters for FY 2026 Has Been
Released!


Good afternoon E-Rate Community,

USAC has released the first wave of funding letters for FY2026!

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 FY2026
Wave 1 FCDLs.xlsx
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiZjE0MjZhMjY3YzRmIixmYWxzZV0>.
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: FCDL-Guide-FY-2026
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiYjk4M2UyMWNjNDBhIixmYWxzZV0>
.

*If you were NOT included in this wave, do not worry! It just means that
your application hasn’t yet been reviewed/decided.* 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.

*A few notes:*

— 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 How to File a Form 486 -
FY2026
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiOTk4ODE0OGQyMTdkIixmYWxzZV0>
.

— 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.

— 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.

— If you were funded for internal connections equipment, please review
the Category
2 Purchasing Guide
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjg1IiwiYzBjMjBhMTBlZWM3IixmYWxzZV0>
to learn what information you may want to include on the PO and what your
requirements are for asset inventories, etc.

Hope this helps, but if you have any questions or need assistance, please
feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Lorrie

*Lorrie Germann*
State E-Rate Coordinator
On behalf of the Ohio Department of Education
lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov
www.ohio-k12.help/erate
*Office:* 740-223-2420
*Cell:* 740-253-1153
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