What Are FCDLs and Form 486s?
HWC Consultants assists schools and libraries with E-Rate program applications. This blog discusses the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) and FCC Form 486 steps of the E-Rate process.
What is an FCDL?
The FCDL summarizes the E-Rate funds that have been committed for the discounts requested on a Form 471. In some cases, a letter indicates modifications or rejections of requested discounts on services deemed ineligible. FCDLs are issued in funding waves, usually weekly.
Where will I receive notification regarding my FCDL?
USAC issues an FCDL to both the applicant and the service provider after the review of an FCC Form 471 has been completed. When an FCDL is generated, the EPC Account Administrator and any users linked to the applicant’s account will receive email notification that a funding decision has been issued.
The email will contain a PDF file with the FCDL and a CSV file with the main data points of the decision. If the organization filed multiple FCC Forms 471 and more than one is included in the same wave, the certifier will receive an email for each form.
Your FCDL is a multi-page PDF document that includes an overview of the high-level information about the application; information about next steps and program rules; and information summarizing the funding requests, including details such as the figures used to calculate the funding request.
If you haven’t received your FCDL by 120 days after submission, you can file a Help Desk ticket through EPC to request a status update. It will then be investigated and expedited.
What do I do with the FCDL?
Carefully review the FCDL for details on whether a request was approved or denied, and any adjustments that might have been made to the original request. If you disagree with a funding commitment decision, an appeal letter MUST be submitted to USAC in EPC within 60 days of the date of the decision letter.
What do I do next?: Filling the FCC Form 486
The FCC Form 486, is the Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children’s Internet Protection Act Certification Form, and must be filed before any E-Rate reimbursements can be received Its purpose is to alert USAC that approved services are indeed being provided by the service provider and that the applicant is (or is in the process of becoming) CIPA compliant.
You will have 120 days after the receipt of your FCDL or the start of services (whichever is later) to complete the Form 486 without penalty. You cannot file a Form 486 for any FRN before receiving an FCDL for that FRN. Remember to save all records (copies of the PDF and .csv FCDL and Form 486 files) for at least 10 years from the last date of service.