E-rate Discounts for Nebraska's Public Libraries
(Universal
Service Fund)
About the E-rate program
About E-rate - a short video introduction to E-rate.
Get started in
the E-rate Program
Step-by-Step
Applicant Process
Application Process Flow Chart
Glossary of E-rate Acronyms and Terms
General E-rate Timeline
E-rate Timelines for Funding Years 2024 and 2025. Click images to see
full size.
E-rate News & Updates
- subscribe to USAC's E-rate News
Brief for details about upcoming funding commitments, application
process tips, and other timely information.
4/29/25 -
Over $4.8 Million in E-rate Funding Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Public
Libraries in FY2025
1/15/25 -
E-rate Form 471 Application Filing Window
Opens Today
12/18/24 -
E-rate Form 471 FY2025 Application Filing Window Dates Announced - The
FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window for Funding Year 2025 will open on
Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at noon EST and close on Wednesday, March 26,
2025 at 11:59pm EDT. Wednesday, February 26, 2025 is the deadline to post
your FCC Form 470.
12/12/24 -
'E-rate: What's New for 2025?' Recording Now Available
10/15/24 -
E-rate EPC Administrative Window is Open - The administrative
window will close on January 9, 2025, when applicant entity profiles will be locked.
10/1/24 -
'E-rate: What's New for 2025?' Online Workshops Scheduled
10/13/23 -
Public Service Commission Updates State E-rate Program, Encourages
Applications - extended the state E-Rate Special Construction
Matching Program indefinitely and increased the state match for new fiber
construction projects to cover all remaining costs after the E-rate
discount.
For information about the NUSF-117 E-Rate Special Construction Matching
Program and application process, visit
https://psc.nebraska.gov/telecommunications/Erate
7/20/23 -
DNS filtering solution for Nebraska's public libraries To help
E-rate applicants meet their CIPA requirement, the NLC is now offering a DNS
filtering solution to Nebraska public libraries, covering the expense and
assisting with its implementation.
Nebraska E-rate Mailing List
FCC.gov: The E-rate Program
E-Rate Central
Funds for Learning
Background of the Universal Service
Fund: E-Rate
Training
Forms required for E-rate participation
E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) - account and
application management portal for the E-rate program.
Video Tutorials
-
E-rate Productivty Center (EPC)
Search Tools -
Look up the status of your application
Form
User Guides and Instructions - PDF
Toward Gigabit Libraries
Toolkit and
Broadband Improvement Plan - learn about and improve your library's broadband infrastructure and
IT environment.
Problem-solving in Your Library Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries
Toolkit -
NCompass Live webinar about the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit -
recording and slides - held 9/18/2024.
Calculating Your Discount -
Instructions for Libraries
Nebraska Schools Free and Reduced Lunch
Counts by School
Urban or Rural Status
Entity Search Tool Walkthrough Video
Discount
Matrix
Eligible Services
List
Form 470 - Description of Services Requested and Certification Form
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 was the deadline to post your FCC
Form 470 for FY2025.
Video Tutorials -
FCC Form 470 Video Series
Form 470 User Guide
for FY 2022-2024
Competitive Bidding Process Infographic - details the steps in the
process
Competitive Bidding Exemptions - if the applicant meets these
requirements, they do not have to file the Form 470
Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Reference Table for FY 2025+
FCC
Registration Number - look up your library's FCC RN or request a FCC
RN
FSCS Code - look up
your library's FSCS ID Number
Form 471 -
Services Ordered and Certification Form
The FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window for Funding Year 2025
opened on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at noon EST and closed on Wednesday,
March 26, 2025 at 11:59pm EDT.
Before the 471 Filing Window opens, check
the
EPC Adminstrative Window closing date.
The EPC Administrative
Window for FY2025 opened October 15, 2024 and closed on January 9, 2025.
During this window, E-rate applicants can make updates to
their organizational profile information in EPC to prepare for the
upcoming FY2025 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window, including
library square footage and the individuals associated with your entity.
On January 9, 2025,
applicant profiles were locked, so you can no longer make
changes to your profile information.
Tips on updating your
Organization Profile
How to Update Your E-Rate EPC Profile During the Administrative Window
learning module
Form 472 - Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form - to receive
reimbursement after you have paid your bill. Submitted by applicant.
How to File FCC Form 472 (BEAR) in EPC - with video tutorials
Form 498 - Service Provider And Billed
Entity Identification Number and Contact Information Form -
to submit banking information to USAC for BEAR Direct Payments
Form 474 - Service Provider Invoice (SPI) - to receive the discount on your
bill. Submitted by service provider.
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
& Filtering
Contacts
E-rate
Funding Recipients
Technology Plans
As of Funding Year 2015, Technology Plans are no longer required
for E-rate. This information is still provided for previous years,
and anyone needing a Technology Plan for other purposes.
Technology Planning