As much as the internet has become an important tool for many students, it normally comes with a cost. For some students, they might access a good internet connection back at home and even in college. Some can hardly afford to buy internet packages that will help facilitate their learning process. Some packages will be costlier than others, depending on the service provider you choose. It is therefore essential that you choose a package that you can afford.
If you come from a low-income family, affording these internet packages might be a nightmare for you. In fact, you might stay for days or weeks without accessing the internet; and you have to keep up with other students who are accessing the internet almost daily. The good news is that the government can help students access this internet for free as long as you qualify for the free internet program. This has actually become a silver bullet for most students, as they can now learn online and do their assignments seamlessly.
Does Government Offer Free Internet For Students?
Since some students might not afford to have good internet in their homes, the government has offer free internet to different students out there. It is important to note that there are various programs that apply to different people in different situations and usually work with different internet service providers.
To start with, you should determine the program that applies to you. You will note that you might qualify for multiple programs; that comes with a discounted price depending on your income and other government programs you are involved in. However, several programs are directed toward students.
For instance, the Connect2Compete program usually helps provide affordable internet to K-12 students. Cox and Mediacom are some of the internet service providers who offer this program to students. Besides the Connect2Compete program; students can also use Altice Advantage Internet, which usually works with the National School Lunch program and the New York City public schools. Suddenlink and Optimum are some of the service providers of this program.
Government Cheap or Free Internet Programs For Students
About 3 million students cannot access the internet due to the high costs involved. This in turn, leaves a huge number of students without ways they can learn remotely. Fortunately, as mentioned above, there are several government internet programs that have come in handy to salvage the situation.
Here, students are guaranteed discounted or free internet options. You will note that there are internet service providers; that are offering these programs at a discounted price to students that come from low-income households. Some of these internet service providers include:
1. Cox Communications
Currently, Cox Communications is now offering a discounted starter package for students where they will be required to pay $20 per month and enjoy 50 Mbps. Ideally, for a 10 Mbps package, you will be required to pay $30.Therefore the new discounted starter package is ideal as you will save more money in the long run.
It is important to note that the company has a low internet program, commonly known as Connect2Complete. Here, students will enjoy two months of free internet and later pay $10 per month. The students are also bound to enjoy increased internet speeds of 50 Mbps.
If you are eligible for any of the below-mentioned programs, you can apply for the Connect2Complete program:
- NSLP
- SNAP
- Those who receive Tenant-Based Vouchers
- Project-Based Vouchers
- Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance(PBRA)
Also, if your family lives in Public Housing, you can readily apply for the program. It is important to note that Cox is available in 19 states. In fact, it has the strongest coverage in Arizona, California, and Virginia.
2. Mediacom
Besides Cox Communication, Mediacom is now offering free internet to students. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the above-mentioned internet service provider has promised not to terminate its service to any individual due to not being able to pay his or her bills in time. This is because the coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the economy of many states out there.
Apart from that, it has waived any late fee that any small business or residential customer has due to their economic circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also opening its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them. This means that students will benefit significantly from these offers.
To spice it up, it is now increasing its broadband speeds for Connect2Complete customers from 10 Mbps to 25 Mbps. The internet service provider is now offering broadband service for free for 60 days to new Connect2Compete customers.
Besides, it has reduced prices for 60 Mbps broadband service for all its new clients. Finally, since May 15, the internet service provider suspended data usage limits. When it comes to internet reliability and speed, Mediacom will not disappoint you.
3. Altice Suddenlink
It is important to note that Altice Suddenlink is now offering new customers free internet for 60 days. Here, students from low-income families are bound to benefit immensely from this free internet offer. In fact, households with K-12 and college students are now eligible for the Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution.
Therefore, if you do not have a home internet service, you do not have to panic as this internet service provider is there to ensure that you remain connected to the internet for longer. When it comes to coverage, Suddenlink normally covers 20 states, with the greatest coverage being Texas, West Virginia, and Louisiana.
4. Altice Optimum
Just like Suddenlink, Altice Optimum is now offering new clients free internet for 60 days. These companies are under the same parent company and are now offering free internet to all their customers for 60 days.
Here, students will enjoy a 30 Mbps broadband solution that will enable them to learn remotely, complete their assignments, and even engage on social media platforms. It is important to note that Optimum is normally available in 4 states of the East Coast. These include Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Other’s Free Internet Service Provider For Students
Besides the above-mentioned internet service providers, there are others that have made it easier for students to access fast and reliable internet at a discounted price. These include:
Xfinity (Comcast)
University students are now benefiting from Comcast as it is now offering new customers a prepaid Visa gift card with $150. Here, you will be able to use the card for about 2 months. It is important to note that the deal comes with a free self-installation; where you will not be charged any upfront fees.
Once you sign up and install, the gift card will arrive after two weeks. Therefore, you might need to pay for these two months upfront, but you will be reimbursed once the card arrives. All you need to do is to verify that you are a student by just uploading some relevant documents, and you will be good to go.
To those customers who qualify for the Internet Essentials, Comcast is now offering two months free months of internet service for students. In addition, if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as Medicaid, SSI, Housing Assistance, and NSLP, you are eligible for this program as well. The good news is that the internet speeds will be increased from 25 Mbps for any client who has the Internet Essentials package.
As we speak, Comcast or Xfinity is the largest cable internet provider as it covers 39 states. However, it has great coverage in states such as Miami, Houston, Denver, San Jose, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
AT&T
The above-mentioned internet service provider is now partnering with participating K-12 schools and colleges; where it is offering wireless data for 60 days through school-issued 4g LTE tablets and hotspot devices. As we speak, most households who were not able to access broadband internet service in the past are now within reach of these signals. Therefore, learners can now learn remotely and do their assignments with precision.
Besides, AT&T has a low-income internet program commonly known as Access from AT&T. If you are a new participant and you qualify for this program, you will be able to receive two months of service. Also, those clients who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) are eligible.
Also, if you usually receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will be eligible for two free months of service. When it comes to network coverage, this internet service provider covers 21 states and has expansive coverage in states such as Texas, California, and Florida.
Spectrum (Charter Communications Offer Free internet Access for New K-12 and College Students)
If you are looking for an internet service provider that is offering the best deals, you should not hesitate to choose Spectrum. Charter Communications actually offering free broadband and Wi-Fi up to 100 Mbps for 60 days to households with K-12 and college students.
Here, you will save more as the installation and prepayment fees will be waived. It is worth noting that only new customers are eligible. However, a deal is applied as a credit for the first two months of service. When it comes to network coverage, this internet service provider is available in 41 states. However, it has expansive coverage in the cities such as Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles, Orlando, Saint Louis, New York, and San Antonio.
Besides the above-mentioned internet service providers, Google is now working with the local government in order to set up 100000 Wi-Fi hotspots in rural areas. It will be free to access this internet connection for three months. Apart from this, Google is also donating 4000 Chrome books to different students out there.
How Do I Get Internet With Snap Benefits?
To start with, you do not automatically get internet with SNAP benefits. However, you can sign up for Lifeline through the government or better still get a discounted internet plan from many internet providers if you receive SNAP benefits.
Final Recap
Costly internet packages are no longer an issue for many students. The above-mentioned internet service providers are now offering internet service at a discounted price, especially to people who come from low-income families. Others are offering internet service free to students. This means that students will have an easy time learning remotely, doing assignments, and even socializing with their fellow students on social media platforms.
Regardless of their economic background, most students can now learn comfortably remotely. The internet has also provided a good opportunity for students to work online and make money to supplement their budget. Consider the above-mentioned internet service providers today, and you will get internet at a pocket-friendly price.
