Beginning May 12, students who meet certain income-based criteria can apply for financial assistance for internet service through the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a temporary pandemic relief program administered through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Qualifying households can receive a monthly discount up to $50 on their internet service through participating providers. Households can also receive up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet.
All Penn State students, including World Campus students, qualify for the program if they or someone in their household meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Qualifies for the Lifeline program by meeting criteria such as participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income since Feb. 29, 2020;
- Receives benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating providers' existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
For the purpose of the program, a “household” is defined as “any individual or group of individuals who are living together at the same address as one economic unit,” according to the FCC’s full program report.
Students can find application instructions and more information at getemergencybroadband.org. Students who have received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year can access the documentation needed to verify their eligibility through LionPATH, by downloading a PDF of their Aid Award Summary.