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E-Rate Home | Keeping on Track
Keeping on Track
| FY2023  | FY2024  | FY2025  |
Notices and Tasks for the Previous Funding Year:
FY2023 (7/1/23 - 6/30/24)
 
E-Rate Step 6: Filing for a Refund
  • FY2023File a Form 498 in EPC in preparation for receiving reimbursements via direct deposit
     Note: a new form is not required if you previously filed one and have an approved 498 ID
    •  
    Resource: [PDF]Form 498 How to Guide
    Constraints: you cannot file a BEAR form for FY2023 until you have an approved 498ID
    Deadline: before first FY2023 BEAR
  • FY2023File BEARs for reimbursements for products and services
    •  
    Resource: [PDF]Form 472 BEAR How to Guide
    Constraints: cannot be filed until a Form 486 is filed and you have an approved 498 ID
    Deadline: October 28, 2024

Notices and Tasks for the Current Funding Year:
FY2024 (7/1/24 - 6/30/25)
 
E-Rate Step 4: Funding Approval
E-Rate Step 5: Bill Payment
  • FY2024File a Form 486 in EPC to indicate the start of services
    •  
    Resource: UPDATED [PDF]FY2024 Form 486 How to Guide
    Constraints: cannot be filed until an FCDL has been issued
    Deadline: October 29, 2024 if FCDL is dated July 1, 2024 or earlier
    or
    120 days from date of FCDL if dated after July 1, 2024
E-Rate Step 6: Filing for a Refund
  • FY2024File a Form 498 in EPC in preparation for receiving reimbursements via direct deposit
     Note: a new form is not required if you previously filed one and have an approved 498 ID
    •  
    Resource: [PDF]Form 498 How to Guide
    Constraints: you cannot file a BEAR form for FY2024 until you have an approved 498ID
    Deadline: before first FY2024 BEAR
  • FY2024File BEARs for reimbursements for products and services
    •  
    Resource: [PDF]Form 472 BEAR How to Guide
    Constraints: cannot be filed until a Form 486 is filed and you have an approved 498 ID
    Deadline: October 28, 2025

Notices and Tasks for the Next Funding Year:
FY2025 (7/1/25 - 6/30/26)
 
E-Rate Step 1: Making a Plan
  • FY2025File a Form 470 in EPC to identify desired products and services
    •  
    Resource: UPDATED [PDF]FY2025 Form 470 How to Guide
    Deadline: TBD until dates of FY2025 Form 471 Filing Window are announced
  • FY2025Next steps after filing the Form 470
  • FY2025Form 470 Wrap-Up Step 1: Selecting Vendors
    •  
    Constraints: before selecting a vendor, you must wait at least 28 days after the date the Form 470 is filed and the date the RFP is issued, whichever is later
  • FY2025Form 470 Wrap-Up Step 2: Signing Contracts
    •  
    Constraints: before signing a contract, you must wait at least 28 days after the date the Form 470 is filed and the date the RFP is issued, whichever is later
Networkmaine Members only: Pre-Enrollment
  • FY2025Pre-Enrollment   for Networkmaine sites wihout DOE reported NSLP data
    •  
    Window: October 21, 2024 - November 8, 2024
E-Rate Step 3: Applying for Funding
  • FY2025Update your EPC Profile during the Administrative Window
    •  
    Resource: UPDATED [PDF]Update Your EPC Profile
    Constraints: The Administrative Window is a designated timeframe during which applicants can update their EPC profiles for the next funding year. Profile data will be locked down after the window closes and cannot be changed.
    Window: October 15, 2024 - TBD (just before FY2025 Form 471 Filing Window Opens)
Networkmaine Members only: Enrollment
  • FY2025Enrollment   for all Networkmaine sites (school districts, independent schools, libraries)
    •  
    Window: January 6, 2025 - January 17, 2025

LEARN MORE For more information about the E-Rate process, see the E-Rate Application Process section or download the [PDF]E-Rate Overview resource.