Fall Deadlines, Starting E-rate, and More!
Let’s Chat! Time to Plan School Year 2023-24
Competitive Bidding
September → November is the ideal time to start Step 1 of the E-rate process: Competitive Bidding; January is the last chance to start the E-rate process for the 2023-2024 school year.
The Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant is available to Idaho schools and libraries pursuing fiber installation for their individual schools or districts. If you’re interested in upgrading your school or library’s Internet connection, now is the time to start discussing it!
B.I.I.G. will fund up to 10% of E-rate eligible “special construction” costs.
“Special construction” refers to one-time costs that install fiber infrastructure.
E-rate will match Idaho’s special construction funds and increase discount percentage of special construction applications.
For example: if your discount is 80%, and the state pledges 10% for special construction, E-rate will match and increase the discount to 90%.
To apply for this grant:
Applicant is or intends to participate in the E-rate program.
Applicant must have a consultation with the Program Coordinator
Anticipate Next Year’s Discount: NSLP Data
It is expected that this year’s NSLP data will be required for next year’s E-rate applications. Use the Discount Matrix to determine your discount percentage, as it may change based on recent updated to the national school lunch program requirements.
Deadline for Category 2 Reimbursement (Hardware, MIBS): Sept 30th, 2022
The deadline for delivery and installation of non-recurring services (e.g., installations, equipment purchases) is Friday, September 30, 2022.
This service delivery deadline (SDD) can be extended for up to one year under certain circumstances, through a Form 500 extension request.
Requesting extensions
Service providers who are (1) unable to meet their service delivery deadline for reasons beyond their control such as supply chain delays, or are (2) unwilling to complete delivery and installation because USAC withheld invoice payments on the services for more than 60 days can ask the affected applicants to request a one-year extension, which must be approved by USAC.
Applicants can request the one-year extension by completing and certifying an FCC Form 500, Funding Commitment Adjustment Request Form, on or before September 30, 2022 for FY2021 non-recurring services. Extending a service delivery deadline for a Funding Request Number (FRN) to September 30, 2023 automatically extends the invoice deadline for that FRN to January 28, 2024.
Automatic extensions
If USAC issues an FY2021 Funding Commitment Decision Letter (or revised FCDL) on or after March 1, 2022, the service delivery deadline is automatically extended for one year to September 30, 2023.
The FCDL or RFCDL contains the extended SDD date when it is issued. You can also find the SDD by searching for the FRN using the E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+.
Deadline for MRC Reimbursements (7/2021-6/2022): October 29th, 2022
The deadline to submit reimbursement requests for recurring seri
Empowering Parents Grant — Apply Now in Minutes
The Empowering Parents program provides eligible families with grant funds for use towards eligible education services and devices to help students recover from the learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible purchases include computers and technology, internet access, instructional materials, tutoring services, and educational services and therapies through approved vendors in the Empowering Parents online marketplace.
Awards will be issued based on each family's Adjusted Gross Income as outlined below
The first wave of grants will be awarded to eligible families earning $60,000 per year or less and will be funded on October 7, 2022
The second wave of grants will be awarded to eligible families earning $75,000 per year or less and will be funded on October 12, 2022
The third wave of grants (if funding is still available) will be awarded to eligible families earning more than $75,001 per year and will be funded on October 20, 2022