Record-setting demand, the largest funding wave in program history, and early finalization of Priority Two discount thresholds highlight Funds For Learning’s top five news stories of 2012.
FY 2013 Filing Window Now Open
December 12, 2012
The Funding Year 2013 Form 471 filing window is now open, and will continue through 11:59 EST on Thursday, March 14, 2013. The filing window will be open for 93 days. Thursday, February 14, 2013 is the last date on which a Form 470 may be filed in time to be referenced on a Funding Year 2013 request.
FCC Approves Final Priority Two Thresholds for Funding Years 2011 and 2012
August 1, 2012
On August 1, 2012, USAC published a ‘Special Edition’ News Brief indicating that the Federal Communications Commission has approved the SLD’s recommendations to set the final Priority 2 discount threshold at 88% for FY 2011 and 90% for FY 2012. USAC reports that funding commitments and denials at these thresholds should start to be issued next week.
First Funding Wave of FY 2012 Released
July 11, 2012
On July 10, 2012, the SLD issued the first funding wave for Funding Year 2012, committing $646 million for 16,935 applicants. The total dollars committed in FY 2012 wave 001 is higher than any wave in program history.
FY 2012 Demand Estimate Exceeds $5 Billion
April 23, 2012
On April 20, 2012, USAC released their FY 2012 demand estimate. For only the second time in the E-rate program’s 15 year history, the total demand for discounts on eligible goods and services is over $5 billion. USAC’s estimate, based on 46,838 Forms 471, is $5.237 billion. The total estimated demand increased by $927 million over FY 2011, a 21.5% increase. FY 2012 applicants requested 12.5% more in the Priority 1 funding categories and 30.7% more in Priority 2 than in FY 2011.
Funding Year 2012 Filing Window Opens Today
January 9, 2012
The Funding Year 2012 Form 471 filing window officially opened today at noon Eastern time. The window will be open for 72 days, closing at 11:59pm Eastern on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The last day that applicants may post a Form 470 for FY2012 while still meeting the required 28 day competitive bidding period will be Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
