Dear Colleagues:

I am writing to share with you some of the improvements that have been
added to our online filing system for Funding Year 5 and to ask that you
encourage other applicants to file online.

*       You can now electronically certify Form 470 by using a User ID
and
PIN.

*       Within the next week, you will also be able to electronically
certify Form 471 by using a User ID and PIN.

When you take advantage of these program improvements, you will be
assured that if you have properly completed these Forms online inside
the application filing window, you will have met application filing
deadlines. While the Form 471, Item 21 Attachment(s) is required in
order for us to process your application, it is not required to be
postmarked inside the application filing window.  By completing the
entire filing process online, you will help us speed the processing of
your application and the funding commitment decisions.  I urge you to
visit the PIN Request area of the SLD web site
<www.sl.universalservice.org> to obtain your User ID and PIN to simplify
the filing of your Forms!!

In addition to the electronic certification improvements to Form 470 and
Form 471, we have also added the following Block 4 improvements to the
Form
471:

*       You can now copy Block 4 Worksheets from application to
application
within the Funding Year.

*       You can now copy Block 4 Worksheets from Funding Year 4 to
Funding
      Year 5.

These improvements should remove a major barrier to filing online.
Filing online, including the electronic certification of your form, will
speed the processing of applications and therefore the funding
commitment decisions. It also protects against failure to meet the
Minimum Processing Standards.

Help us help you receive your funding commitments sooner!!  Sign up for
your User ID and PIN TODAY so that we can mail your PIN to you.  When
you receive your PIN, you will be able to complete your Forms, including
the certifications, online.

George McDonald
Vice President
Universal Service Administrative Company
Schools and Libraries Division