E‑Rate Program Updates – December 2025 Highlights
As we approach the start of the FY2026 application cycle, several important updates from USAC and the FCC will impact applicants and service providers. Below is a summary of key announcements from the December 18, 2025, E‑Rate News Brief.
Update Your EPC Profile During the EPC Administrative Window before January 16, 2026.
The EPC Administrative Window closes January 16, 2026. Applicants should review and update profiles now to ensure accurate entity data before the FY2026 application window opens. Review your EPC profile and confirm all of your information is accurate including your organization’s name, address, and other details. Your profile is currently unlocked and available for you to insert any further updates but will be locked again on January 16, 2026. Libraries should confirm their square footage, main branch, and public school district of the main branch information is correct and that any bookmobiles or kiosks are included. To learn more view the USAC EPC Administrative Window
E-Rate FY2026 Form 471 Application Filing Window Dates Announced
The FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window for Funding Year 2026 will open on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at noon EST and close on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 11:59pm EDT.
Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the deadline to post your FCC Form 470 to the USAC website, or issue an RFP, and still complete all of these actions before the Form 471 Application Filing Window closes.
Some Key FY2026 Program Changes
Vendor Transition Begins January 2, 2026
USAC is transitioning to a new vendor to support E‑Rate business process operations, including application review, invoicing, appeals, and post‑commitment activities. The cutover is scheduled for January 2, 2026. Open forms and requests will continue with current reviewers or may be reassigned. USAC expects a seamless transition for participants.
New BEAR/SPI Selection on Form 471
Beginning in FY2026, the FCC Form 471 includes a new field under each FRN narrative to identify the chosen invoicing method: FCC Form 472/BEAR or FCC Form 474/SPI. The selected method will display on both the Form 471 PDF and the FRN record in EPC, and applicants copying FRNs from earlier years will be prompted to select an invoicing method if one is not already associated.
Applicants are encouraged to coordinate invoicing method decisions with service providers early to minimize the need to change methods later in the reimbursement process.
Category Two Budgets: 2026–2030 Cycle
The FY2026 Form 471 has been updated to reflect the new FY2026–2030 Category Two budget cycle. The Entity Details section on Category Two funding requests now displays budget data based on the latest student counts (schools/districts) and square footage (libraries/systems) entered during the FY2026 EPC Administrative Window, and this information is reflected in the Form 471 PDF.
Bus Wi‑Fi and Off‑Premises Hotspots
The FCC has rescinded eligibility for school bus Wi‑Fi and similar on‑bus access technologies beginning with FY2025 funding requests. In addition, off‑premises Wi‑Fi hotspots and associated internet services are not eligible for E‑Rate support in FY2026 and are not included on the FY2026 Form 471. Although these services may still appear on the FY2026 Form 470 (issued before the FCC’s September 30, 2025, rulings), they will not be fundable on FY2026 Form 471, and the Form 470 will be updated when the FY2027 form is released.
Click here to view the full December 2025 E-Rate News Brief. E-Rate FY2026 471 Window Announcement and Updates
