Seven Steps to Prepare - Step 6

Completing Form 470, Form 471, Form 486 and Bear.

• Form 470 is the first FCC form that applicants must fill out in order to receive E-rate discounts. The Form 470 describes the services and/or products applicants are seeking, and includes information about applicants that service providers need to know to best meet applicants' needs.

• Form 471 is the second form that applicants are required to file to receive E-rate discounts on eligible services. The Form 471 lists the services for which applicants are requesting E-rate discounts, the entities that are eligible to receive these services, and establishes the discount rate applicants will receive on these services.

• The third set of forms are Form 486 and BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement) form. Form 486 is completed for the applicant to notify that they have received the services ordered so that discounts are issued. BEAR is an optional form and the service provider may choose to submit it to be reimbursed directly.

• For information on these forms please visit http://www.sl.universalservice.org/apply/default.asp
• The forms can be completed electronically at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp 
• The applications for new services - 470 forms - are posted at http://www.sl.universalservice.org/service.asp

Here are some tips for filling out the application:

1. Schools do not need to have a contract for their POTS (plain old telephone service) if they are paying the regular, tariffed rates.

2. No applicant is permitted to file Form 470 and Form 471 simultaneously. Even if you have pre-existing contracts, you must still wait 28 days to submit Form 471.

3. After your funding commitment is mailed to you, then you may file 486 to notify that you have received the services ordered so that discounts are issued.

4. Schools do not have to place their RFPs on their Web servers. However, this can help potential bidders in receiving information about the requested in a timely manner.

5. Audits will occur regularly to prevent fraud in this largely self-certified process.

6. The FCC considers five computers to a classroom to be a tentative benchmark to establish "sufficient quantity" for student and teacher access.

7. Training programs should encompass all staff, including classified staff.

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