The FY 2026 FCC Form 470 portal is already live in EPC, giving schools and libraries a full year-plus to run competitive bidding before next spring’s application window. An early start lets you lock in pricing, align projects with the newly enlarged Category Two budgets, and avoid the winter rush. Here are three priorities to tackle right away.
- Scrub Your EPC Profiles Before You Post
Verify every entity record, annex address, and contact role while summer schedules are light. Correcting typos now prevents system errors later and keeps Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) reviewers from bouncing your application back for fixes.
- Write Future-Proof Specs
Use the refreshed Form 470 drop-downs to describe what you need, not a brand name:
- Minimum and scalable bandwidth (e.g., 10 Gbps WAN with room to grow)
- Core security features such as next-gen firewalls or content filtering built in
- Compatibility with Wi-Fi 6/6E access points and PoE+ switching, so upgrades last all five years
Clear, technology-agnostic language attracts apples-to-apples bids and makes it easy to defend your vendor choice. Remember: you must leave the Form 470 posted for at least 28 days before selecting a winner.
- Map the New Category Two Budget to Real Projects
For the 2026-2030 cycle the FCC boosted C2 caps by 20.7 percent:
| Budget Element | Old Cap | New Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Funding floor | $25,000 | $30,175 |
| Tribal library floor | $55,000 | $66,385 |
| Per-student multiplier | $167 | $201.57 |
| Library sq-ft multiplier | $4.50 | $5.43 |
That extra headroom can cover Wi-Fi 6E APs, core switch replacements, or segmented wireless networks to support cybersecurity mandates. Run your new numbers in the C2 Budget Calculator inside E-rate Manager®, then align the scope of work in your Form 470 with what your refreshed cap can actually fund.
Next Steps with Funds For Learning
- See exactly how far your bigger C2 budget stretches with our calculator.
- Stay in the loop by subscribing to GuideNotes newsletter for weekly new and tips.
- Join us for our monthly My E-rate Guides webinars for expert insights and updates.
Starting FY 2026 planning in July means fewer headaches—and bigger savings—next spring. Let us know how we can help you set the pace.
