The outset of the pandemic forced institutions of higher education to quickly pivot to online and remote learning but many students found themselves lacking access to affordable and high-quality internet. Now, more than a year into the virtual landscape, students are learning about a new federal benefit to help promote broadband access.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with congressional approval, launched an Emergency Broadband Program in which Pell Grant recipients are eligible for up to $50 per month — or $75 in Tribal areas — to pay for internet service. A recent panel convened by New America looked to highlight the usage of the program and encouraged students to access the benefit to help promote their access to higher education.
While the Department of Education (ED) has contacted Pell Grant recipients about the benefit through an email, some eligible students may not have recognized the correspondence or have been on the lookout for it.
Ed Bartholme, associate bureau chief in the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at the FCC urged Pell Grant recipients to search their emails looking for an email from “noreply@studentaid.gov” with the subject line: “Apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program.”