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John Harrington, CEMP

by John Harrington

The FCC Is Asking Big Questions About E-rate. Here’s How We Answer.

Last week, the FCC released a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that asks some of the biggest questions the E-rate program has faced since it began. Should the program be...

Brian Stephens, CEMP

by Brian Stephens

FY2026 Approvals Continue at Strong Pace. Is Yours In?

As of June 1, 2026, approximately $1.1 billion had been committed for Funding Year 2026 applications filed by schools and libraries nationwide. The pace is strong, though total commitments as...

by Heidi Leonard

Your Project Changed After Approval. Here’s What You Can Do Next.

If you’ve worked through an E-rate project from planning to implementation, you know one thing is almost guaranteed: something will change. Whether it’s discontinued equipment, shifting needs, or vendor updates, substitutions give applicants a...

by Funds For Learning

FCC Seeks Input on Wide-Ranging E-Rate Review Covering Screen Time, Program Scope, and Oversight

The Federal Communications Commission circulated a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on June 4, 2026, ahead of its June 25th open meeting, where this item is on the agenda for a vote. The rulemaking would touch nearly...

by Funds For Learning

FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues June 2026 Streamlined Appeal Decisions

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau released the latest streamlined E-rate appeal and waiver decisions on June 1, 2026 (DA 26-497). This month’s order is smaller in volume than May’s release (read our full...

Eric Jester, CEMP

The Correction Window You Might Not Know About: RAL Modifications During PIA Review

In FY 2025, 4,848 FRNs (18.4% of all FRNs that received any PIA action) were modified in response to a RAL modification request submitted by the applicant. (Source: E-rate Manager®.)...

by Heidi Leonard

Understanding NSLP Counts in E-rate: What to Expect During PIA Review

If USAC selects your application for Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review, one of the first things they’ll ask about is your discount rate, and the documentation behind your National School Lunch Program (NSLP) numbers. Here’s what they want to see, and how to...

by Neal Brautigan

BEAR vs. SPI: Which Invoicing Method Is Right for You?

Choosing between BEAR and SPI is a decision every applicant has to make. In a recent article, we walked through the most common ways applicants get tripped up at invoicing. This decision is one...