Notices and Tasks for the Previous Funding Year: FY2025 (7/1/25 - 6/30/26)

E-Rate Step 5: Bill Payment FY2026File a Form 486 in EPC to indicate the start of services   Resource: updated FY2025 Form 486 How to Guide Constraints: cannot be filed until an FCDL has been issued Deadline: October 29, 2026 if FCDL is dated July 1, 2026 or earlier or 120 days from date of FCDL if dated after July 1, 2026 E-Rate Step 6: Filing for a Refund FY2025File 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: Form 498 How to Guide Constraints: you cannot file a BEAR form for FY2025 until you have an approved 498ID Deadline: before first FY2025 BEAR FY2025File BEARs for reimbursements for products and services   Resource: 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, 2026

Notices and Tasks for the Current Funding Year: FY2026 (7/1/26 - 6/30/27)

E-Rate Step 4: Funding Approval FY2026Next steps after filing the Form 471   Resource: Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) Guide FY2026Prepare for PIA Review FY2026Undergo PIA Review   Resource: PIA Review Guide FY2025Watch for your funding commitment in the Funding Wave announcements   Resource: Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) Guide E-Rate Step 5: Bill Payment FY2026File a Form 486 in EPC to indicate the start of services   Resource: updated FY2025 Form 486 How to Guide Constraints: cannot be filed until an FCDL has been issued Deadline: October 29, 2026 if FCDL is dated July 1, 2026 or earlier or 120 days from date of FCDL if dated after July 1, 2026 E-Rate Step 6: Filing for a Refund FY2026File 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: Form 498 How to Guide Constraints: you cannot file a BEAR form for FY2026 until you have an approved 498ID Deadline: before first FY2026 BEAR FY2026File BEARs for reimbursements for products and services   Resource: 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, 2027

Notices and Tasks for the Next Funding Year: FY2027 (7/1/27 - 6/30/28)

E-Rate Step 1: Making a Plan FY2027Make a plan and choose products and services for which you will seek E-Rate funding for the next  funding year   Resource: FY2026 Eligible Services List E-Rate Step 2: Competitive Bidding Process FY2027File a Form 470 in EPC to identify desired products and services   Resource: updated FY2027 Form 470 How to Guide Deadline: March 4, 2026 is the last day to post a Form 470 in EPC or attach an RFP FY2027Next steps after filing the Form 470 FY2027Form 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 FY2027Form 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