The latest South Carolina E-Rate program news and deadlines can be found below.

E-Rate News:

E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Application Window Open until April 1, 2026.

• The Funding Year (FY) 2026 Eligible Services List Public Notice is posted on USAC’s website.
• If you have already submitted an FCC Form 471 and want to change the FCC Form 470 you cited, submit a Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) Modification Request.

Create a contract record for each new contract or legally binding agreement.

• You must have a contract record in your profile for each contract or legally binding agreement you intend to use on your FY 2026 FCC Form 471. You then cite the contract record for the services that will be provided under that contract when you are creating a funding request on your form.
• If you created a contract record in an earlier year for a multiyear contract that covers your services for FY 2026, cite that contract record for this year.
• If you created a contract record in an earlier year for a contract with voluntary extensions, you do not need to create a new contract record if the extension will cover services for all of FY 2026. First, work with your service provider to exercise the extension for your FY 2026 services. Then, when you cite that contract record for the funding request for these services, enter the last date of service for all of FY 2026 (e.g., June 30, 2027) in the contract end date field for that request. You do not have to create a new contract record simply because you exercised an option to extend the contract.
• Learn How to Create a Contract Record:
  • How to Create a Contract Record video.
  • How to Create a Contract Record for Commercially Available Broadband/Low-Cost High-Speed Internet Access (which is exempt from competitive bidding) video.
• You are encouraged – but not required – to upload a copy of your contract into your contract record in EPC. If you do not upload your contract, be sure to keep a copy handy in case USAC requests it during the review of your application.
• Do not wait until the end of the application filing window to contact us with questions or issues.
• You can open a customer service case in EPC or call CSC at 888-203-8100 if you need assistance. If you choose to open a customer service case, you will also be able to upload one or more documents that provide additional information we need to process your request.

SAM.gov Requirement for E-Rate Invoicing.

• Beginning August 2026, USAC will begin using SAM.gov banking information to remit payment for all Universal Service Fund (USF) requests for reimbursement. All E-Rate service providers and E-Rate applicants who use the FCC Form 472/BEAR invoicing method must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498 and register for an active SAM.gov account. You must have a valid bank account associated with your SAM.gov account. If you don’t already have a UEI or an active SAM.gov account, begin the process early because it can take six to eight weeks to verify the UEI and the SAM.gov account. For more information, see the SAM.gov Entity Registration webpage or the USAC SAM.gov UEI Requirement webpage. Please also note that you must renew your SAM.gov account on an annual basis. You will not be able to receive USF reimbursements if your SAM.gov account is inactive once the transition to SAM.gov for banking information goes live. As a reminder, USAC will also stop using and collecting banking information on the FCC Form 498 as part of this transition.

E-Rate Outreach and Training announced by USAC.

• USAC hosts webinars throughout the year to include program updates, guidance on compliance and filing, stakeholder support, and much more. During each webinar, the audience will have the opportunity to take part in a live question-and-answer session with members of the E-Rate program team who will answer questions on the webinar topic. Available at Webinars - Universal Service Administrative Company.
• In-Person Training USAC is coming to an event near you in 2026. E-Rate experts will provide training, discuss program updates, and answer questions from new and experienced participants. USAC will announce when registration for these two in-person training events will open in a future news brief. Register for news briefs at Subscribe - Subscription Center - Universal Service Administrative Company. Below are events that we will attend where we can answer your E-Rate questions. Save these dates.
  • E-Rate Training – Phoenix: Sept. 15, 2026
  • E-Rate Training – Washington, DC: Sept. 24, 2026

South Carolina E-Rate Valid Data File (NSLP)

• The South Carolina E-Rate Valid Data File is complete; it will be used for the upcoming E-Rate funding year. The file may be found online at the South Carolina Department of Education's report webpage.

Private Network and Internet Bandwidth Allocation and Security Monitoring Policy

• The Private Network and Internet Bandwidth Allocation and Security Monitoring Policy is intended to create an equitable method of determining how much private network and internet bandwidth is funded by the K-12 School Technology Initiative Committee for participating charter schools, public schools and libraries in South Carolina. A copy of the updated policy can be found on the Publications webpage.