COVID-19

April 1, 2020 FCC provided additional relief to applicants and service providers by extending several upcoming E-rate deadlines due to the pandemic.

Relief granted:

  • PIA Inquiries: In addition to the 14-day extension the FCC previously granted, applicants will have an additional 30-days to respond to PIA requests.

  • Equipment Installation: Deadline to purchase/install all FY 2019 non-recurring services (equipment) is extended from September 30, 2020 to September 30, 2021. By extension, this will automatically make the invoice deadline for all FY 2019 non-recurring FRNs January 28, 2022.

  • Special Construction: Deadline to complete special construction of FY 2019 Category 1 fiber networks is extended from June 30, 2020 to June 30, 2021. In addition, any FY 2018 applicants that had already requested/received a one-year extension also will be granted the additional year to complete the special construction.

  • Appeals/Waivers: Deadline to submit appeals to USAC or the FCC is extended from 60 days to 120 days for all USAC decisions dated January 11, 2020 – August 1, 2020.

  • Reimbursement Forms to USAC: Deadline is extended an additional 120 days for any Form 472 BEAR Reimbursement Form (or vendor SPI) with a current deadline that falls between March 11, 2020 – October 28, 2020. This applies even if you already received an invoice extension for the FRN in question.

  • Form 486: Deadline is extended an additional 120 days for FY 2019 Form 486s that would have been due between March 11, 2020 – September 30, 2020.

  • Information Requests for Audits, Form 500’s, Appeals, and Invoices: Applicants will have an additional 30 days to respond to USAC information requests for BCAP Audits, PQA Audits, Form 500s, Appeals and Invoice Reviews.


March 18, 2020, the FCC issued an Order that waives the E-rate program gift rules through September 30, 2020 to clear the way to allow service providers to offer free or discounted service and equipment to schools and libraries during the COVID-19 emergency.

Specifically the Order permits service providers to offer, and eligible E-Rate schools and libraries to solicit and accept:

  • Upgrades to broadband connections or improved capacity (more bandwidth)

  • Wi-Fi hotspots/aircards and other connected devices

  • Networking gear

  • Other things of value that could help students, teachers, and library patrons affected by school and library closures

The Order goes on to state that to the extent service providers are willing to offer free or reduced-cost Internet access service directly to families with school-aged children, rather than to eligible E-Rate schools and libraries on behalf of students, the E-rate gift rules do not apply. In other words, there are no rules that will prohibit a school or library from contacting service providers to ask for their assistance in providing Internet access to students, teachers and library patrons that may not have it at home.

The Order can be found at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-290A1.pdf


The FCC has taken a number of steps to provide relief to E-rate Program participants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and USAC is working with the FCC to implement this relief. Support for schools and libraries includes:

  • Additional time and flexibility. The FCC has extended a number of E-rate deadlines giving applicants and service providers more time and flexibility to file their applications, submit appeals, deliver services, file invoices, and respond to information requests. The FCC will continue to monitor the situation and determine if any additional extension of these waivers is needed.

  • Facilitating connectivity. The FCC has temporarily waived the E-rate Program gift rules to enable service providers to give, and schools and libraries to solicit and accept, things like Wi-Fi hotspots, devices, and broadband connections to assist students, teachers, and library patrons affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The FCC has also reminded schools and libraries that are closed during the pandemic that they are permitted to allow the general public to use E-rate-supported Wi-Fi networks while on the school’s campus or library property, even if the school or library is closed. Additionally, many service providers participating in the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected initiative have taken steps to support remote learning during the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Education (DoED) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) have also taken steps to provide support to schools and libraries affected by COVID-19.