Student Life

With our transition to online, many students have questions about access and connectivity. The FCC runs Lifeline, a grant program designed to help make communications services more affordable for low-income consumers. 

Additionally, the FCC has recently made an agreement with providers stating late fees will be waived and service will not be terminated for lack of payment. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-363033A1.pdf Additionally, several providers are offering additional options. To assist you, a few options are listed below:

• Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription and at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households. https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more
• AT&T COVID-19 response offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to families needing a data plan. https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html
• Verizon has no special offers but is following the FCC agreement. https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus
• Sprint follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge. https://newsroom.sprint.com/covid-19-updates-sprint-responds.htm
• T-Mobile follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and will soon allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge. https://www.t-mobile.com/news/t-mobile-update-on-covid-19-response
• Cricket is automatically waiving the reactivation fee and the fee that applies to service payments. https://www.cricketwireless.com/support/fraud-and-safety/covid-19.html
• Comcast is offering 60 days of free Internet access for low income families. https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 

Additional resources to help you get connected:

• U.S. Providers Offer Free Wi-Fi for 60 Days
• Carriers Suspend Internet Data Caps during Coronavirus
• Internet Providers Pledge to “Keep Americans Connected” during the COVID-19 Crisis 
• Broadband, Wireless Industries Pledge to Keep a ‘Social Distancing’ Nation Connected 
• AT&T Suspends Broadband Data Caps During Coronavirus Crisis 
• Verizon’s Networks Stand Ready for Increases in Data Traffic
• Comcast Announces Comprehensive COVID-19 Response to Help Keep Americans Connected to the Internet
• Got Slow Speeds or No Internet Connection at all? These Tips Can Help you Improve your Connection.