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by Cathy Cruzan

September 3, 2026

Nearly Half of FY2026 E-rate Dollars Are Still Waiting on a Decision

Nearly half of the dollars requested for Funding Year 2026 are still waiting on a decision, the highest share in six years of data. Every fall, school and library leaders...

Verlyne Jolley, CEMP

by Verlyne Jolley

September 2, 2026

Three Lessons from This Month’s FCC Appeal Decisions (Before You File Your Next Form 470 or 471)

The FCC’s latest round of E-rate appeal decisions, released September 1 (DA 26-868), reinforces three lessons that apply no matter what funding year you’re in: put your full case in...

by Funds For Learning

September 2, 2026

USAC Moves to SAM.gov Banking September 8. Check Your Form 498 This Week.

On September 8, USAC will begin sending all Universal Service Fund payments to the bank account tied to your SAM.gov registration. If you invoice using the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement...

Brian Stephens, CEMP

by Brian Stephens

September 1, 2026

Want to Weigh In on USAC’s Oversight Review? Comments Are Due September 30.

If you’ve been following the FCC’s review of how USAC runs the Universal Service Fund, here’s the update: the official notice was published in the Federal Register on August 31,...

by Neal Brautigan

September 1, 2026

Keep Planning for FY2027. The Bidding Portal Isn’t Coming Until FY2028.

As discussion continues around the FCC’s competitive bidding portal for Funding Year 2028, many E-rate applicants are wondering whether anything will change for Funding Year 2027. The short answer is...

by Jessica Flores

September 1, 2026

The Team Behind Your Funding Request

There’s a team behind your funding request. When you’re the one waiting on a decision, they’re who’s on the other end of the line, and they’re a big part of...

Verlyne Jolley, CEMP

by Verlyne Jolley

August 25, 2026

Nominations Open for Eight USAC Board Seats

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau has opened its regular window to nominate members to eight seats on the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) Board of Directors, one of them representing...

Eric Jester, CEMP

August 25, 2026

Don’t Wait Until October: What to Check on Your FY2025 FRNs Now

You filed, you waited, and your Funding Year 2025 funding commitment came through. That’s a real milestone, and a natural moment to exhale. It’s also where the last step gets...