SLC CLARIFIES 75-DAY WINDOW DEADLINE:
E-RATE APPLICANTS GAIN EXTRA HOURS TO FILE

Today, the SLC clarified that the 75-day window will close on April 15, 1998, giving applicants extra hours to submit their E-rate applications. Accordingly, the latest date that a Form 470 application can be received by the SLC in Iowa City, Iowa, with enough time to complete the 470/471 applications process within the 75-day window will be March 18,1998. All applications to be considered within the 75-day window must have a properly completed and certified Form 471, with a corresponding Form 470, including a signed certification.

The SLC had previously defined April 14, 1998, as the date by which properly completed and certified applications had to be received for consideration within the 75-day window. However, when the SLC computer system counted the 75-day window, it recognized the closing date/time to be 5:00 A.M. on April 15, 1998, and the system generated form letters reflecting that date as the closing date for the 75-day window. The SLC had initially set April 14, 1998, as the last day of the 75-day window to correspond with the daily maintenance schedule, which occurs daily at midnight. This new closing date will give schools and libraries extra hours to submit their E-rate applications.

As of noon on March 5, the SLC had received 26,500 applications for the E-rate fund.

To obtain information about the E-rate or the Schools and Libraries Corporation, please visit our Web Site at (www.neca.org). For copies of the E-rate application, please call the SLC Client Service Bureau at 1-888-203-8100 or apply for the E-rate on-line at (www.slcfund.org).