E-rate Update - SLC Extends Hotline Hours
Message Posted May 7, 1998
SLC HELP LINE EXTENDS HOURS TO HANDLE PROBLEM RESOLUTION CALLS;
PROVIDES ANSWERS FOR "BLACK-INK" REJECTIONS
The SLC has released the following two statements: "The Schools and Libraries Corporation apologizes for the frustration applicants have experienced in trying to get through to our toll-free Client Service Bureau help line (888-203-8100) during this high-volume Problem Resolution period.
Extra staff have now been added to our Client Service Bureau to take your calls every weekday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
In addition, the help line will be open for special hours this Saturday, 5/9/98, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
SLC does encourage applicants to call the help line only after they have consulted Problem Resolution Index and related documents (available on the SLC web site at <http://www.slcfund.org/announce.asp#ProbResIndex>
and via our toll-free fax-on-demand line, 800-959-0733) for guidance in correcting their applications."
ORIGINAL SIGNATURES AND *BLUE INK*
"The Schools and Libraries Corporation has been contacted by a number of Universal Service Fund applicants who believe their Forms 471 were rejected simply because they weren't signed in blue ink. While we've encouraged applicants to sign their Form 470 in other than black ink, blue ink is NOT a requirement. What IS required is an ORIGINAL signature.
In reviewing all applications, our data analysis staff checks for an original signature in Block 6. Applications signed in blue ink or in any color other than black clearly stand out as original. On black-ink signatures, the reviewer often does a "smear test" to assure that the signature is not a photocopy. If a signature is NOT an original, the application will be rejected. The rejection letter contains the suggestion that the original signature be signed in an ink color other than black.
If your application did contain an original signature, and you believe it was rejected in error, please send the application as submitted to: Schools and Libraries Corporation, Attn: Debra Kriete, General Counsel, P.O. Box 34351, Washington, DC 20043-4351. Please include a cover letter confirming that the signature on the application was an original when first submitted.
We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion."
-- SLC
---------------------------------------------------------------
Julie L. Tritt
Office of Educational Technology 717/787-5820
Pennsylvania Department of Education 717/787-7222 (fax)
333 Market Street, 10th Floor Harrisburg, PA 17126
| 
Back to 1998 Archives Main